Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 . __ . . -*- N A M V E T -*- ____/ \_ . . ( * \ . . Managing Editor \ Quangtri . . ---------------- \_/\ \_ Hue . . G. Joseph Peck \_Ashau Phu Bai . . \_* \_ . . Editorial Assistants \ * ) . . -------------------- _/ Danang . . Pete Farias \|/ ( \_*Chu Lai . . Sarge Hultgren --*-- \_ ------- \__ . . /|\ \_ I Corps \ . . Distribution Manager \ ------- ! . . ------------ /\_____ ! . . Jerry Hindle / ! \ . . ! !___ \ . . Section Editors ! \/\____! . . --------------- ! ! . . AGENT ORANGE: Martin H. Kroll, Sr. / Dak To ! . . IN-TOUCH: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau / * / . . INCARCERATED VETS: Joyce Flory ! \_ . . HOMELESSNESS: Lefty Frizzell ! Phu Cat\ . . \ * * ) . . \ Pleiku ) . . -**- N A M V E T -**- \ \ . . / / . . "In the jungles of 'Nam, some of us ( -------- ! . . were scared and wary, but we pulled _\ II Corps ! . . one another along and were able / -------- \ . . to depend on each other. That has \ \ . . never changed. Today, free of the ! * / . . criticisms and misunderstandings _/ Nhatrang / . . many veterans have endured, _/ / . . NAM VET is a shining beacon, __/ ! . . a ray of hope, and a _ __/ \ ! . . reminder that the _____( )/ ! Camranh Bay . . lessons learned / !__ ! . . at such a high / \ / . . price shall not \ Bien Hoa \ / . . be forgotten - ! Chu Chi * \ __/ . . nor the errors \_ * --------- \ ___/ . . repeated!!!" ____ \ III Corps \ _/ . . / \_____) )_(_ --------- !__/ Duplication in . . ! ( ___/ any form permitted . . _____! \__ * ___/ for NONCOMMERCIAL . . ! Saigon/ purposes ONLY! . . \___ -------- / \/ . . \ IV Corps / For other use, contact: . . ) -------- / . . / ! G. Joseph Peck (413) 442-1660 . . / ____/ Managing Editor . . / Mekong/ . . ! Delta/ This newsletter is comprised of articles . . ! ____/ and items from individuals and other . . ! / sources. We are not responsible for the . . ! / content of this information nor are any of . . ! __/ NAM VETs contributors or Section Editors. . . \_/ gjp . . . NAM VET Newsletter Page i Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ================================================================= T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S 1. Editorials n' Things Worth Thinkin' About This is NOT "de ja vu"! ................................. 1 2. Ol' Glory n' Shiftin' Sands We are all involved in the MidEast ...................... 3 Show your support! Counter-protests: How to! ............ 5 . 7 Persian Gulf Force Facts ................................ 8 Persian Gulf Short Wave Broadcasters ................... 12 3. In a country far away... Fake Doctors Identify GI remains ........................ 13 Senate says US Abandoned MIAs ........................... 16 MIAs Widow Has Questions ................................ 18 US Veterans Group Offers POW Reward ..................... 20 They haven't forgutten US!!! ............................ 22 Captured GIs listed as "Dead" ........................... 23 POW/MIA Family Members Arrested in Hanoi ................ 25 POWs - YOU can help! .................................... 27 4. Break out the Clearasil ! Criminal Investigation of Monsanto Corporation .......... 30 Break out the Clearasil ! ........................... 36 5. From Aztec Shore to Arctic Zone COAST GUARD UNITS JOIN MIDDLE EAST OPERATIONS ........... 37 USCG in SEA - Part 2 .................................... 39 6. In-Touch In-Touch: What is it??? ................................. 45 IN-TOUCH Registration/Request Form!!! ................... 48 7. The NamVet Chapel Return to the Killing Fields ............................ 50 The Electronic Chapel ................................... 55 Vietnam, US vets seek peace ............................. 56 8. Don't Abandon 'em Writing Our Incarcerated Veterans ....................... 58 Operation Self-Help Background/Referral Checklist ....... 60 A visit or note once in awhile? ......................... 65 List of Incarcerated PenPals ............................ 66 9. Hearts n' Minds Christmas in 'Nam - Vietnam vets DO have heart! ......... 69 Combat Stress - The Forgotten Warrior ................... 70 VC Are Experts .......................................... 77 Clay Hut Builder Seeks Peace ............................ 79 10. Uncle Sam wants YOU to know Ask the Veterans' Affairs Counselor ..................... 81 No COLA .... Yet! ...................................... 84 ........................................................ 85 11. Concentrated IVVEC/NamVet Service The NamVet Service Desk ................................. 94 Vet Asks "WHY civilian and not a vet hired?" ............ 96 VETLink #1 Asks Congressman's Involvement ............... 97 Congressman says "VA can't help BBSs..." ................ 98 12. Please keep this in mind The Unknown Soldier ..................................... 100 Some Gave All... ........................................ 102 NAM VET Newsletter Page ii Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ================================================================= E d i t o r i a l s n ' T h i n g s W o r t h T h i n k i n ' A b o u t ================================================================= This is NOT "de ja vu"! By G. Joseph Peck NamVet's Managing Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 I don't see reenactment of the military draft on the immediate horizon. I haven't yet heard the word "DEROS" when members of my family or yours have been assigned to areas of the Persian Gulf. Squadrons, Companies, Fleets and Brigades are going as a UNIT and not as piecemeal replacements for others whose tour of duty has ended. Each is allowed to do his or her BEST. I don't see the thousands and thousands of protestors lining the streets as I did in the mid-to-late sixties. And, within hours after I heard the words "The Liberation of Kuwait has begun" I heard your President and mine say: "This will NOT be another Vietnam! We will not tie our troops hands behind their backs." I know that for many of you, the bombings and battle scenes we too-often see on CNN and other network news stations bring back memories that hurt sometimes beyond description. I share with you that pain and, as with many of you, that longing to get out there in the front lines and serve our best. Telephone calls to the local recruiting stations too-painfully reveal that "age" has caught up with me and I'm told "You're a little beyond the maximum age" )... What CAN we do and HOW can we serve now? Its a question that continuously intrudes upon my thoughts - especially when I'm listening to the news or thinking about my sons, my brother now in Dehrahn, my relatives now in-service. WHAT will help them the most - both now and in their future? As many of you know, we've worked hard over the past few years trying our best to build VIETNAM_VETS and NAMVET into areas where veterans from all era's can derive the services and information they need WHEN they need it. In VIETNAM_VETS we've talked about having parades for all our returning troops, about writing letters TO ANY SERVICEPERSON, about sending cookies and other mementos of home. We've also talked about paving the way NOW for those who return by doin' our best to insure that the services they will NEED are there for them WHEN THEY NEED IT. I'm including in this issue a listing of Vet Centers as published in Ralph Roberts book: "The Veterans Guide To Benefits." (ISBN 0-451-16017-7) In upcoming months, I'd like to ask each of you to post in the VIETNAM_VETS echo the name, address and contact person of any Veteran Service Agency or group near you. We'll be collecting and amassing a list at VETLink #1 for any and all who are interested. What about NOW? What can we do? Many of us, I know, are finding it extremely difficult to look beyond the sometimes- traumatic events of our pasts and the long, long, painfully-long road we've travelled from isolation and rejection to acceptance and respect. The road has, for some of us, been unfairly long and seemingly never-ending. As I've seen in VIETNAM_VETS, some of us NAM VET Newsletter Page 1 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 are having a very tough time sleeping at night and thinking beyond the jungles, valleys and paths of yesterday. We MUST, though, do our best to grow beyond what has held US back for so many years. One of those ways is helping NOW - helping a soldier's family provide the food and housing they need, doing what WE can to help carry the burden all those young (and not-so-young) families must now bear. Here at VETLink #1, we're also working to help in a massive communications project involving political, military and civilian personnel which holds the potential for involving and linking veterans, their dependents and concerned others. As we've discovered, SERVICE seems to run in more than one direction. Our troops in the Persian Gulf NEED to hear from us, NEED to hear our support and faith in them, NEED to know we believe in them. Family members here in the U.S. NEED to communicate with our troops, NEED to give and share their support and faith, NEED to have contact with our new veterans. What WILL help our returning veterans the MOST, I feel, will be OUR acceptance of them, OUR inclusion of them into OUR family, OUR taking the time to listen to THEM - and helping where we can, sharing things that soldiers know well. For a last-minute update on what we've all endured, Craig Roberts has very graciously contributed a very helpful article concerning the Post-Traumatic Stress many of us have endured. I've got to get this NamVet out to the many of you who have so long waited for it. My apologies that it IS late, but, as with so many of you, there has been a lot taking up any of my SPARE time... 'Til next month Show a brother or sister veteran That YOU care!!! Ci'ao for Ni'ao - Joe - NAM VET Newsletter Page 2 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ================================================================= O l ' G l o r y n ' S h i f t i n ' S a n d s ================================================================= "We all are involved in the Mideast" by John Laird in the 12/23/90 El Paso Times Input by: Joyce Flory NamVet's Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 You don't have to be swabbing sand out of a tank turret to be involved in the Mideast crisis. The impact - if not the congressional commitment - is national. Consider what happened last month in Silver City, NM, when one man answered his country's call. Jim Hansard works as a radiologist in Silver City. He is a lieutenant colonel in the Army reserves. Previously, he served in the active military and saw duty in Vietnam. One war should be enough for one man, but if fighting breaks out in the Mideast - God forbid - it could be the second war for the 47-year-old Hansard. Shortly after Thanksgiving, Hansard's unit was called up. He now is in Oklahoma. Plans are unannounced, but we may assume that the Pentagon is not focusing on Oklahoma range wars. When Hansard's unit was called up, dominoes began falling. He and his partner are the only radiologists in Silver City. His partner now must work harder. Patient services are stretched precariously thin. That was the professional impact. CONTROLLING EMOTIONS The personal impact included a severe dent in the family income. Worse, though, is Hansard's absence, which largely was unanticipated. His wife, Nancy, and two teen- age daughters are rearranging their lives to make the adjustment as smooth as possible. "You just have to go into your practical mode," Nancy said,"and concentrate on the practicalities of life. Otherwise, emotional upheaval can drive you nuts." Nancy and Jim were married when he was in Vietnam, but that was different." We had no children, I had a job back then, I lived with my parents and we did not have the financial obligations we face now." Nancy talks to Jim regularly by telephone. They talk about their family. They talk about you and me, too. " Jim would like to see the nation stand together in this effort. If we're united in purpose, we can accomplish objectives more quickly, and then they can all come home." The big picture here is clear. Nancy didn't mention it, but I knew. For you and me, next year could bring another chance to give our military people a decent homecoming. We blew it last time. Jim Hansard and thousands of others remember. A SOLDIER WRITES Spec. 4 Scotty Dean of El Paso writes from Saudi Arabia: "I've been a 'Lairdoid' ever since you went up to the Basic Training area and acted like one of them for a week. After that, I hardly ever missed a column and now my wife Leslie mails your columns to NAM VET Newsletter Page 3 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 me in Saudi Arabia. That one about Little Billy Bubba wanting a ponytail was hilarious. "I've never written to a newspaper before, but keep up the good work. If anyone ever tries to cut you down for writing what you believe, just remember where this letter came from. And, remember, what my job represents." Dean's letter, it would seem, is to all of us." NAM VET Newsletter Page 4 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 PREPARING FOR A "COUNTER PROTEST" by Sam Thompson SeaHunt BBS - Burlingame, CA (415) 343-5904 This is an attempt to give you some assistance and ideas for countering the "Anti-War" protests that may be occurring in your area. This is not a primer for "Pro War" actions but rather for "Pro Troops" activity. 1. If a permit is required... GET ONE!!! 2. Maximum effectiveness can be obtained by using local Media. The best way to increase numbers is to notify the "local" Country and Western radio station of what is going on, and where, when, etc. 3. CB radios can be used to ask for support from "Truckers" in most cases they will gladly "Take a few Laps" for you. 4. Use "Marshals" (crowd control) give them distinctive markings (coloured duct tape for arm bands works well. Also use them to cover your six. 5. Materials; a. For "fixed signs" (leaned against trees, etc.) use drywall (also called sheetrock) takes paint real well and does not blow away. b. For "yellow ribbons" (everyone should have one) there is as very thin poly type tape used by contractors, works well and is cheap. c. Flags (US) are vital...as many as possible.... good source for cheap ones is a "Party supplies" type of place d. Use duct tape to attach signs etc to vehicles, does not mess up paint and is easy to remove. e. "Butcher" paper is very good for large banners. 6. If your efforts bear fruit you will attract large crowds of Americans, accidents and illness may occur. Try to get "medics", first aiders, Volunteer Firemen there with you, they should have basic "aid kits" with them. Have them wear RED armbands (again coloured duct tape is good). 7. Communicate with local police at scene, advise them that your efforts will be peaceful... keep it that way... control DRUNKS...one idiot driving against traffic in a pickup covered with flags will be the ONLY thing to make "The News at 11" 8. AVOID marches as they are very hard to control....DO NOT parallel "anti's"... instead be waiting at their destination... take the places that have the best "sun" or "Lighting" (media loves this, makes their job easier) 9. If interviewed, STRESS that you are NOT "PRO WAR" but rather "PRO TROOPS". STRESS the fact that the "anti's" are helping "Iraq" not stopping ANYTHING, that they are just "Helping Iraq" 10. Force the "coward issue". Remember the bumper stickers that had the "peace sign" and said "Footprint of the American Chicken"? Use that!! Make the peace sign "yellow" and the lettering Black...... 11. Short slogans in BIG PRINT are best... "HONK to support your Troops" is very effective. 12. Recon area and locate assets, convenience stores, fast food, NAM VET Newsletter Page 5 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 etc. that are close by... you will need them. I hope that this is of help to those of you that have been wanting to "DO SOMETHING". It feels good to be at one of these and with any luck the "anti's" will be discouraged by your efforts and may leave. Ours did!! LET NO ANTIWAR PROTEST GO UNANSWERED............. -- Sam Thompson -- NAM VET Newsletter Page 6 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 . For Information on our Saudi Soldiers: . . . . ARMY: 1-703-614-0730 . . 1-800-626-1440 . . 1-800-642-9254 . . NAVY: 1-800-732-1206 . . 1-800-255-3808 . . 1-202-746-5915 . . MARINES: 1-800-523-2694 . . AIR FORCE: 1-800-253-9276 . . COAST GUARD: 1-800-283-8724 . . . . Support Groups: . . National Guard Families: 1-800-356-2794 . . Army Reserve Units: 1-800-874-8451 . . . . . . xxxxx XXXXxxxxx, . . xx''xxxxxxX XX xX XXx . .xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxXX x xX' x'' XXXx . . x x xX xXX Xx . . 'x' X XXxx . . xxx X. . xX . . xX . . VIETNAM x x x xX . . VETERANS x xX X x X IRAQ . . X X X X x < VETERANS . . X X X X X Xx . . xxxxxxxxxX X X X x Xxx . . XXX'' /__X__ XX__X___xXX xXxxxxx . . xXXX 'Xxxxx xX Xxx . .XX WE SUPPORT YOU XxxxxxxxxxxxX X. .X BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN SERVICE . . . . . . "We are with you . . Wherever you may be . . We are sailing . . With you on every sea . . We are standing . . With you on desert sand . . We're your country . . Together we stand!" . . . . . . The Staff of NamVet . . . . and participants in . . . . The International Vietnam Veterans EchoConference . . . NAM VET Newsletter Page 7 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Persian Gulf Force Facts Submitted by John Mosson Weare Nh Pc Host (USCATCOM) - Manchester, NH (603) 529-1948 The U.S.-dominated 28-nation force in the Persian Gulf is the biggest such force assembled since the Korean War. In all, more than 690,000 soldiers from 28 nations are arrayed against Iraq's estimated 545,000 fighters in southern Iraq and Kuwait. Here's a breakdown of the forces confronting each other in the Gulf: IRAQ The army has seven corps totaling 55-60 divisions, with 555,000 regular troops and 480,000 reserves, all believed to have been mobilized. Regular forces include six divisions of elite Republican Guards. Five others reportedly are being formed. Iraq claims its Popular Army militia has 8 million men, but its true strength is estimated at 850,000. In Kuwait and southern Iraq, as of Jan. 15, Iraq had an estimated 28 to 33 divisions. Here is a breakdown of forces in the war theater: ARMY 545,000 troops 4,200 tanks 2,800 armored personnel carriers 3,100 artillery pieces AIR FORCE 700 combat aircraft (including Su-24 fighter-bombers; MiG-29 interceptors) NAVY UNITS A training frigate with anti-submarine torpedoes 8 missile-attack craft 6 torpedo boats Several captured Kuwaiti missile craft. ANTI-IRAQ COALITION UNITED STATES About 425,000 military personnel are now in the region in Operation Desert Shield. That is expected to reach at least 430,000. At the peak of the Vietnam War in 1968, 545,000 Americans were involved. ARMY 245,000 troops Major Army units deployed include: 1st Infantry Division (Mechanized) of Fort Riley, Kan. 1st Cavalry Division of Fort Hood, Texas. 1st Armored Division of Ansbach, Germany. 3rd Armored Division of Frankfurt, Germany 24th Infantry Division (Mechanized) of Fort Stewart, Ga. 82nd Airborne Division of Fort Bragg, N.C. 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) of Fort Campbell, Ky. 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment of Nurenberg, Germany; and the 3rd Armored Cavalry Division of Fort Bliss, Texas. There are 2,000 U.S. tanks, 1,700 helicopters and 2,200 armored NAM VET Newsletter Page 8 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 personnel carriers deployed. MARINES 75,000 troops Important Marine Corps infantry deployments include: Marine Division from Camp Pendleton and Twentynine Palms, Calif. Marine Expeditionary Brigade from Little Creek, Va. Marine Expeditionary Brigade from Camp Pendleton, Calif. 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing from El Toro, Calif. SPECIAL FORCES 1st Special Operations Command (contingent) NAVY 60,000 personnel; 108 ships in gulf, the Arabian Sea and the eastern Mediterranean Carriers: Saratoga, John F. Kennedy, Midway, America, Theodore Roosevelt and Ranger 450 warplanes (A-6 Intruders; F-A-18 Hornets; F-14 Tomcats; AV-8B Harrier jump-jets). AIR FORCE 45,000 personnel 800 combat aircraft (F117A Stealth fighter-bombers; F-111F bombers; F-16s; F-15s; A-10 Thunderbolts; F-4 Wild Weasel; B52G strategic bombers). (Not all forces listed are likely to be involved in Persian Gulf War) 150,500 troops 330 combat aircraft 800 tanks 36 major naval units EGYPT Some 38,500 troops (paratroopers, commandos, chemical warfare specialists and infantry) 3rd Armored Division (elements) 4th Armored Division (elements) 3rd Mechanized Infantry Division (elements) SYRIA 21,000 troops (Elite Special Forces units) 9th Armored Division PAKISTAN 13,000 troops 6,000 advisers MOROCCO 1,700 troops BANGLADESH 2,000 troops SENEGAL 500 troops NIGER 480 troops NAM VET Newsletter Page 9 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 BRITAIN 35,000 personnel 60 combat jets (Tornado; Jaguar) 16 warships 1st Armored Division FRANCE 10,000 personnel 6th Light Armored Division (elements) 12-14 warships (guided-missile cruiser, missile destroyers, frigates, a corvette). 3 squadrons combat aircraft (interceptors, fighter-bombers) 5th Combat Helicopter Regiment Foreign Legion's 3rd Infantry Regiment 1st Spahis Cavalry Regiment Anti-aircraft missile unit. ITALY NAVY Frigates Libeccio, Orsa and Zeffiro Corvettes AIR FORCE 14 Combat aircraft (Tornado fighters; Starfighters) CANADA 1,700 personnel NAVY Destroyers Athabaskan and Terra Nova AIR FORCE 18 CF-18 fighter jets NETHERLANDS Frigates Jacon van Heemskerk and Philips van Almonde SPAIN Frigates Nuamancia, Infanta Cristina and Diana AUSTRALIA Guided-missile destroyer Brisbane Frigate Sydney BELGIUM NAVY Minehunters Iris and Myosotis AIR FORCE (Sent to Turkey as part of a NATO air defense deployment). Four C-130 military transport planes 18 Mirage F5 fighters to Turkey ARGENTINA ARMY 100 troops NAVY Destroyer Almirante Brown Frigate Spiro SOVIET UNION Udaloy-class destroyer Admiral Tributs One anti-submarine ship. NAM VET Newsletter Page 10 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 GREECE Frigate Elli GERMANY AIR FORCE (Sent by NATO at Turkey's request to bolster air defenses in case of an Iraqi attack). 18 Luftwaffe Alpha jets DENMARK Corvette Olfert Fischer NORWAY Coast Guard cutter Andenes (supporting the Danish corvette) Supplying NATO ally Turkey with air-to-air missiles. PORTUGAL Naval support vessel Sao Miguel. POLAND Military field hospital. Hospital ship. CZECHOSLOVAKIA 200 troops (anti-chemical warfare equipment) HONDURAS 150 troops BULGARIA Small detachment of military medical personnel. NEW ZEALAND Two C-130 transports Army medical team. PHILIPPINES Small volunteer detachment of military medical personnel. SOUTH KOREA 200-member medical team. TURKEY 100,000 troops (deployed on its southern border with Iraq, tying down an equal number of Iraqis). 42-plane NATO contingent of Italian, Belgian and German jets. NAM VET Newsletter Page 11 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Short wave broadcasters in the Persian Gulf Submitted by Charles Harper Classic City Node #2 - Athens, GA (404) 548-0726 Here are the latest schedules from shortwave broadcasters in the Persian Gulf area. Some of the times and frequencies may be different from those given in published sources before the start of the war: all times are in Universal Time (UTC) all frequencies are in kHz Time Frequency --------- --------- Radio Baghdad 2100-2300 13660 (try LSB, better audio) Radio Amman Jordan 2000-2200 9560 Radio Damascus Syria 2005-2100 12085 " " 15095 R. Baghdad 0230-0430 11830 Voice of Turkey 0300-0400 9445 " " 17880 Voice of the U.A. 2200-0000 9600 (Abu Dhabi) 11985 " " 13605 U.A.E. Radio (Dubai) 0330-0400 11940 " " 13675 " " 15400 Kol Israel 2300-2330 \ / 9435 0000-0030 \/ 11605 0100-0130 /\ 15640 Radio Amman Jordan 0500-0600 13655 Radio Cairo Egypt (unknown) 9475 (reception is poor) N.B. For Kol Israel, all three frequencies are in use during all three broadcasts. Intervening broadcasts are in French (i.e. 1/2 hour English, 1/2 hour French). All broadcasts listed are (or should be) in English. Due to the volatile nature of the situation in the area, all the above are subject to change. This is especially true of R. Baghdad. NAM VET Newsletter Page 12 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ================================================================= I n a c o u n t r y f a r a w a y . . . ================================================================= FAKE DOCTORS FALSELY IDENTIFIED REMAINS OF GIs MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA, SENATE PANEL REPORT SAYS By Peter Samuel Special to the 11/20/90 New York City Tribune Input by: Terry Hayes - Waterloo, NY VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 Washington Nov 20 - A congressional report says the Pentagon employed unqualified forensic personnel who misrepresented themselves as doctors and falsely identified the remains of missing US servicemen in Vietnam and Laos. According to the Senate Foreign Relations committee staff report, which was obtained by the New York City Tribune, a US government agency "has falsely identified as many as 80 separate sets of remains of US servicemen who were listed as MIA," and warned that "the total number of sets of remains falsely identified may be much higher." In one case, bones later inspected by a qualified forensic scientist as those of an animal, not a human, were accepted as missing in action (MIA) remains, the report said. In another case a completely, empty coffin was allegedly presented to a serviceman's family as "remains." The actions reportedly occurred at the Defense Department's Central Identification Laboratory in Hawaii (CIL-HI) the staff report says. It was not clear from the report, which still appeared to be in draft form exactly when the misrepresentations occurred, but some observers have suggested that it was during the late years of the Reagan Administration. The 67-page report, titled "Issues," is described as an addendum to an Interim Report released by the committee October 28, 1990. The Senate investigators quote Dr. Michael Charney, a physical anthropologist and emeritus professor at the University of Colorado, as concluding that CIL-HI engaged in fraudulent findings "This facility entrusted with the analysis of mostly skeletonized remains of our servicemen... is guilty of unscientific, unprofessional work. The administrative and technical personnel have engaged knowingly in deliberate distortion of details deduced from the bones to give credibility to otherwise impossible identifications." The Senate investigators quote Charney as saying that the CIL-HI personnel had been "blatantly, deliberately lying" in order to close out MIA cases. He says that many of the personnel who performed the identifications lacked necessary forensic training and "had never been awarded doctorates, yet referred to themselves as doctors." Another witness, Dr. George Gill, secretary of the physical anthropology section of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, made similar charges of forensic fraud against the Hawaii laboratory, telling the Senate staff that the misrepresentation of MIA remains "results either form extreme carelessness, incompetence, fabrication of data or some combination of these things." The staff paper says that to date the Defense Department has not NAM VET Newsletter Page 13 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 contested the outside experts charges of forensic fraud. But it says that two so called "doctors" at the Hawaii laboratory were replaced following the complaints by the forensic scientists. However it says the Defense Department overall has been responsible for a long term effort to discredit all live sighting reports of MIAs. Staff reviewed hundreds of these classified and unclassified live sighting reports in the opinion of staff many live sighting reports were closed prematurely (by the Defense Department) when minimal additional effort could have resolved the veracity of the report, the report explains. It says that the Defense Department has dismissed the credibility of live sighting reports based on even the slightest inconsistencies in descriptions of time, location or circumstances. It denounces such "debunking." It also accuses the Defense Department of arbitrary findings of death saying that its review at the Pentagon showed that often the facts contained in the MIA files did not support the finding of death. "The method of making a presumptive finding of death has been abused by the DOD (Department of Defense)" says the report. If the department has issued a presumptive finding of death then it is prepared to conduct ceremonial burials of non existent remains, the report notes. And it says that just last month at Arlington National Cemetery the Pentagon buried with full military honors what were described as the remains of two US airmen presumed to have died in Laos 20 years ago. It adds "However the caskets of remains of the two servicemen contained no bones, no physical matter whatsoever. The coffins contained nothing but air. The Defense Department has its own meaning for the word "remains" of US servicemen, which is not found in any English Language dictionary." A Senate Foreign Relations committee staff report released Oct. 28 says the Nixon Administration made a decision to abandon remaining US prisoners in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia. Subsequent administrations have resisted efforts to reopen the issue officials say. With the repatriation of 591 prisoners of was (POWs) in "Operation Homecoming," the Nixon Administration claimed April 12, 1973 that all live prisoners of war had been retuned, and subsequent administrations have insisted that reported sightings of American prisoners were false. But a government official told the New York City Tribune last month that while many of the live sighting reports are incorrect, others are almost certainly accurate. He said that for diplomatic and political reasons all administrations since the Nixon Administration have misled the public about the sightings. He said satellite photography has confirmed the presence of live US prisoners in Indochina. Senate Foreign Relations Committee staff under the direction of Sen. Charles Grassley R-Iowa and minority leader Sen. Jesse Helms, R-N.C. have spent the past year examining classified Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) documents on the issue. The most dramatic discovery of the Foreign Relations staff was a major DIA report dated April 1974 addressed to all service intelligence chiefs stating that there were "several hundred living POW/MIAs" being held in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. This was a year after the Nixon Administration's decision to sweep the NAM VET Newsletter Page 14 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 POW/MIA issue under the carpet. The Witmire Report is likely to be the subject of future inquiry and controversy. "The evidence indicates that American government officials made a decision to abandon US citizens still in the custody of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia, at the conclusion of US involvement in the second Indochina war," the report says. NAM VET Newsletter Page 15 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 SENATE PROBERS SAY U.S. ABANDONED MIA'S WHEN A NIXON DEAL WITH HANOI COLLAPSED By Peter Samuel In the New York City Tribune Input by: Terry Hayes - Waterloo, NY VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 Washington - A secret deal was made in 1973 between the Nixon Administration and the newly victorious North Vietnamese regime that would have allowed thousands of US prisoners to be exchanged for billions in US aid, according to Senate probers But according to a copy of a report obtained by the New York City Tribune, the prisoners were abandoned and the deal fell apart when Nixon already weakened by the Watergate scandal at home could not push the package through Congress. Several thousand prisoners of war (POWS) and servicemen missing in action (MIAS) who the Nixon Administration was bargaining for with promises of $3.25 billion in aid one week were the next week written off with the adamant declaration form the Pentagon on April 13, 1973 "There are no more [US] prisoners in Southeast Asia. They are all dead," according to the report. The Nixon Administration simply writing off the prisoners is the dramatic conclusion of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee under the direction of Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, who have been studying previously classified documents at the Pentagon as well as recently declassified documents at the National Archives. A new report by the committee calls the April 1973 statement a lie. As well as abandoning known prisoners in Vietnam the report says "The fact of the matter is that we left men in Laos, men the Pathet Lao publicly admitted to be holding." Following the formal US surrender in Vietnam signed January 27, 1973, President Nixon proposed in a then secret letter to Hanoi that the United States would provide $3.25 billion of economic aid over 5 years. The administration and the Vietnamese agreed on a long detailed list of items the United States would furnish in the first year including: 700,00 square meters of prefabricated housing and warehousing; 200,000 tons of steel building supplies; 50,000 cubic meters of lumber; 40 million meters of cloth. When details of the proposed aid leaked to Capitol Hill, criticism was widespread and sharp. Secretary of State William Rogers reportedly called on congressmen to exercise "restraint" in their criticism of the aid proposal at least until American prisoners were released by the North Vietnamese. By the end of March 1973 Hanoi had released 591 US prisoners, but their tales of mistreatment and atrocities in prison camps only fanned congressional determination not to authorize any aid to Hanoi. For example, Rep. Joel Broyhill R-Va. said that "not a cent of American aid should be spent on a country that is apparently run by savages." The Senate Foreign Relations Committee report quotes a source from 1973 as stating that the 592 released prisoners constituted 15 percent of the total servicemen held by Hanoi suggesting that there were in fact about 4,000 there before the release and that about 3500 were eventually abandoned The Associated Press and the New York Times quoted Nixon administration sources as stating in February 1973 that Hanoi held about 5,000 American prisoners which would mean that about 4,400 were left behind officially declared NAM VET Newsletter Page 16 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 dead. The report says the Vietnamese communist leaders always regarded the US prisoners as collateral for the promised economic aid. "Apparently the North Vietnamese were waiting for the aid that Nixon promised before they released the vast majority of the American POWs" By April 1973 the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Edward Herbert, D-La, had said he could see no justification for Nixon's request of $3.25 billion aid to Hanoi. It was then that the administration decided it had no hope of freeing the thousands of remaining POWS, so it decided to declare them nonexistent, the Senate committee says. It says that this political decision to declare all unaccounted for US prisoners dead was pursued "to extraordinary lengths." It quotes a June 1973 cable in which the US embassy in Saigon said it persuaded US reporters for United Press International, The Associated Press and NBC to omit from their dispatches a reference by a North Vietnamese defector of live US POWS remaining in North Vietnam. The report says that similar abandonments of remaining live POWS were made in the Korean War and World War II. NAM VET Newsletter Page 17 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 MIA's Widow still has many questions 1/13/91 Rochester, NY Democrat and Chronicle By Michael Ziegler Input by Terry Hayes - Waterloo, NY VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 Jane Lono was a good military wife. When her husband, Maj. Luther A. Lono, was a Marine pilot in Vietnam, she dutifully kept the home fires burning. When his plane disappeared and he was declared missing in action, she didn't doubt the government would do all it could to bring him back. Even after she learned that his plane had gone down in Laos - a neutral nation the United States was bombing secretly and illegally - she kept her silence because the government told her to. She isn't silent any more. TWENTY-ONE YEARS after her husband disappeared - and 13 years after he was declared dead - Lono is no closer to the truth of what happened to him than she was then. She believes the government lied to her about the circumstances of his disappearance and withheld evidence that her husband may have been taken prisoner and could still be alive in Southeast Asia. She is angry and disillusioned with a government she trusted - a government her husband may have died for. She regrets she didn't join the anti-war movement during Vietnam. And now, as a deadline for another war approaches and President Bush has the go-ahead to use military force, she wonders if we have learned anything from our last major bloodletting. "If Vietnam served a purpose, it was to help prevent any needless sacrifice of lives," said Lono, who lives in East Rochester. "If we get into another war, that makes Vietnam to have been in vain." "THE ANTI-WAR movement during Vietnam was not an anti-American movement," she said. "But I didn't learn that until after the fact, I think that's what makes it so painful." Lono's husband was in his second tour of duty in Vietnam when his A-6 bomber disappeared on Sept. 29, 1969. She and her four children moved from a Marine base on the East Coast to Hawaii, where she planned to stay until her husband returned. "I went there thinking I'd be there a year or two," she said. "I never thought I'd be there for 20." A portrait artist, she began taking college courses that caused her to question what the American people had been told about the war. After her husband was declared dead, her doubts were compounded by information she received from a reliable source that he might have survived and been taken prisoner. IN THE 1980s she became active in the nuclear freeze movement and made a trip to the Soviet Union. "It was totally non-political," she said. "It was just people meeting people." She left Hawaii a year ago to be close to family members in the Rochester area, her questions about her husband still unresolved. She is thinking of writing an autobiography that records her journey over the past two decades. With the rebirth of the peace movement in the past several months, Lono has been busy collecting signatures on petitions NAM VET Newsletter Page 18 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 urging negotiations. Last Sunday, she marched through downtown Rochester with 5,500 others in a candlelight vigil for peace. Given the government's track record about her husband, and the way it lied to the nation about the war in Southeast Asia, Lono doubts if it is being forthright about its goals and agenda in the Middle East. HER HUSBAND'S name, with those of others killed and missing in Vietnam, is etched on the Vietnam war memorial in Washington, DE. She doesn't consider the memorial a place to mourn. She believes it gives her resolve to help prevent another needless war. "When you look at the shiny black granite, and you see the name of someone you loved, you look at yourself and you have to ask yourself, 'What did I do to help this, or what did I do to prevent it?'" she said. "My greatest fear now is: 'Have I done enough this time to prevent another war? Have I done enough to prevent other mothers and wives and daughters and sons from going through what I have gone through?'" Michael Zeigler is the local news columnist for the Democrat and Chronicle. ^^Note from Terry Hayes^^ Prior to the peace accords of 1973 the Pathet Lao publicly admitted to holding American Prisoners. NOT ONE SINGLE AMERICAN PRISONER HAS EVER BEEN RETURNED FROM LAOS. NAM VET Newsletter Page 19 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 US Veterans Group Reaffirms POW Reward Offer -- "It Is No Rumor" National Steering Committee for American War Veterans PO Box 1713, Kinston, NC 28503 Input by Terry Hayes - Waterloo, NY from POW Network VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 FOR RELEASE 17 JULY, 1990 CONTACT: Ted Sampley - chairman - 919-527-8079 On 10 July 1990 the Reuters news wire and the Bangkok Post ran a story about attempts by Cambodians to peddle the remains of missing American servicemen in Southeast Asia. The story, written by Tom Lansner reporting from Pnomh Penh, contained a number of inaccuracies about the efforts of private American citizens and the National Steering Committee for American War Veterans to locate Americans still unaccounted for in Southeast Asia. Mr. Lansner writes that "the existence of a committee handing out cash (for the repatriation of) remains" is a popular myth and appears to have started after the committee threw bank notes into the Mekong River. In early October 1988, a group from the National Steering Committee for American War Veterans, a veterans activist group based in Kinston, NC, deposited approximately 4,000 Ziploc packets containing money from Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, the US and the Soviet Union into the Mekong River. Each bill was stamped with a reward offer in several different languages promising US $2.4 million to anyone who could produce a live American prisoner of war. It was suggested that the POW be turned over to the International Red Cross instead of the US government in order for the claim to be more expeditiously and more honestly processed. The incident was widely reported by the Bangkok Post and The Associated Press and a cursory check of your files will substantiate this. The reward is no myth. The US $2.4 million has been pledged by 21 members of the United States Congress and, according to Capt. Eugene "Red" McDaniel (US Navy-retired), a former POW in North Vietnam and a sponsor of the reward, those pledges remain in effect. What Mr. Lansner may be referring to in his article when he speaks of the "myth" about the money being offered for remains is the United States government's intense interest in repatriation of remains. This interest, which ignores the possibility that living Americans are still being held POW in Southeast Asia, has created a virtual frenzy among refugees and citizens of Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam to go digging for bones. It is no secret in the United States that Lao, Vietnamese and Cambodians have trashed numerous crash sites in search of salvageable metal, frequently destroying and scattering any remains present. Subsequent excavations of these crash sites by US government officials are little more than exercises in futility. The US government says it is vigorously opposed to paying for the repatriation of living prisoners or the remains of our dead. Yet, while the US government denigrates the efforts of private citizens to seek an accounting by paying cash rewards for the return of American servicemen lost during the war, it pays rewards in other ways. The US government is secretly paying rewards for the return of remains to the Vietnamese and Laotian governments in the forms of NAM VET Newsletter Page 20 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 humanitarian aid, health clinics and trade concessions. It may not pay individuals for bones, but the US government is more than willing to pay governments for those same bones. During World War II, Korea and Vietnam, many United States fliers carried "Blood Chits" written in several languages which offered unspecified rewards from the US government for return of downed fliers. World War II Flying Tiger pilots were the first to wear the "Blood Chits" on their flying jackets. Printed on silk, the "Blood Chit" was a pledge from the US government to reward anyone who helped a downed American airman return to Allied lines. Many of the airmen who fought in Vietnam carried or wore the Blood Chit, particularly the US Air Force pilots. Now, the US government is reneging on that "Blood Chit" agreement. The National Steering Committee for American War Veterans is promising to make good on the US government's promise. In addition to the US $2.4 million offer for any live American POW, the National Steering Committee for American War Veterans is offering US $50 each for the repatriation of remains of any US servicemen from the war in Southeast Asia. The money will not be paid until those remains are examined and verified by an independent forensics expert. Unlike the US government, US veterans don't renege on their promises. Anyone seeking to claim a reward should write a letter and give their name, how to be contacted, and give evidence of what they have to: AFAMO, BOX 1079, Silom Post Office, Bangkok 10504, Thailand. POW/MIA activist organizations - Homecoming II Project and Camp Brandenburg - have pledged financial support for/to these reward offers. NAM VET Newsletter Page 21 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 W W M M W W M M M M W W \ / M M M M OOOO W W W --*-- M M M IIII O O W W W W / \ M M II O O W W W W M M II O O W W M M II O O II PPPPPP O O ..... II AA PP PP OOOO . '' '' .. IIII A A PP PP ..' '.. A A PPPPPPP ..' ''. A A PP ..' '. AAAAAA PP .' ''. A A PP .' '. A A .' .:::::.. '. .' .::::::::::. ' .' .::::::::::::::. '. .' __ .::::::::::::::::;:... '. .' _- -_ .:::::::::::::::::::::::. '. .' _-_ _ _ -_ ::::::::::::::::::::::::' '. .. _- -!!___!!!-_:::::::::::::::::::::::. .. .' ==_ _- _= .:::::::::::::::::::::::: ', . =-_= _= = :::::::::::::::::::::::: . .' =-_ =_- = ::::::::::::::::::::::: '. .' = - -_ =_:::::::::::::::::::::. '. .' -_ -_- .:::::::::::::::::::;;;. '. .' _-_ ..::::::::::::::::::::::::; '. . _ _ .:;:::::::::::::::::::::;, . ' _ .:::::::::::::::::::::::::. '. Y .'.....::::::::::::::::::::::::::;' '. N ::::::::::::::::::::::::' `''' ': O `::::::::::::::::::::::: \v/ \ / :'E `:::::::::::::::::::::: =========================== :' U `:::::::::::::::::::::. /^\ \ :'T `:::::::::::::::::::: .: A `:::::::::::::::::: .:'T `::::::::::::::::::. .;' R `:::::::::::::::::. .;' T `::::::::::::::::. .;' E `:::::::::gjp::: .:' O `:::::::::::::...........'' G N O T F O R " Bring them home --- NOW !!! " NAM VET Newsletter Page 22 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 GIs "DEAD" ON SECRET VIETNAM WAR FORAYS WERE REALLY CAPTURED SENATE REPORT SAYS. By Peter Samuel Special to the 11/21/90 New York City Tribune Input by: Terry Hayes - Waterloo, NY VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 Washington Nov 21 - The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has concluded that extensive covert US operations in countries on the fringes of Vietnam resulted in many American servicemen being declared dead to cover their activities. The committee's staff investigation showed that some of those declared dead were almost certainly captured by Communist authorities, swelling unaccounted for prisoner numbers well beyond those previously published. Some of those declared dead may still be alive, the report said. Men missing on covert operations whether in fact lost, captured of killed would normally be declared dead immediately and classified Killed-in-Action, Body-Not-Recovered (KIA-BNR) the report said. A "cover story" about a training of traffic accident would be made up for his family to explain the serviceman's disappearance without revealing anything about the secret mission. The 67 page report obtained by the New York City Tribune, titled simply "Issues" is an addendum to a report released Oct. 28, that concluded the Nixon Administration made a formal decision in 1973 to abandon remaining US prisoners-of-war (POWS). Since that time the Dept of Defense (DOD) has been over eager to accept offerings of supposed human remains of servicemen missing- in-action (MIAS) from Vietnam, the report said, and too quick to dismiss reports of live sightings of prisoners. "Given some of the evidence that staff has found during the course of our investigation, it is highly probable that a number of U.S. servicemen listed and POW, MIA, or KIA-BNR (Killed-in- Action, Body-not-Recovered are alive in Southeast Asia today," the report said. Senate staff, together with the investigation leader Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, spent weeks going through previously classified Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) files at the Pentagon. The most dramatic discovery of the Foreign Relations staff was a major DIA report dated April 1974 stating that there were "several hundred living POW/MIAS" being held in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. It was signed by Admiral Donald B. Whitmire then executive director of the DIA, and classified "Secret." The assessment of "several hundred live prisoners" was a year after the Nixon Administration's decision to sweep the POW/MIA issue under the carpet by declaring all lost servicemen to be accounted for. The latest report gave new details on the extent and nature of many secret operations and losses involving U.S. servicemen, State Department officers, Central Intelligence Agency employees and company contractors in Vietnam and in nearby countries, especially Laos. It made no precise estimate, but quoted government sources as saying that the number of persons missing from covert operations "rivals" the DOD'S list of 2,302 MIA'S from U.S. military and intelligence operations. The covert operations men, known inside the system as Black NAM VET Newsletter Page 23 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Cowboys, were involved mainly in Laos in reconnaissance and support of U.S. military operations in Vietnam, but because of the Geneva peace accords of 1962 banning outsiders in Laos, the U.S. government did not want to admit their presence in that country. The new report gave more details of one on-going covert mission in Laos that supported U.S. Air Force bombing around Hanoi and Haiphong. A group of 10 to 20 Air Force personnel and civilian technicians, officially listed as employees of Lockheed Corp. were based on the top of Phao Pha Thi mountain in Sam Neus province, just 120 miles form Hanoi, in a site code named Lima Site 85. The U.S. servicemen were rotated every 10 days out of Thailand by CIA Air America helicopters, and they had a security guard of anti-Communist Hmong tribal soldiers on the CIA payroll. In late March 1968, North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao troops made an early morning surprise attack on Site 85, eventually overrunning it. Five air force technicians were rescued by a CIA helicopter, but another 11 were lost, their status whether dead or captured being unknown the report said. However, the next day all 11 missing were declared KIA-BNR, and saturation bombing of the site was ordered to prevent secret electronic equipment being retrieved by Communist forces. "There is evidence that as many as four of the technicians left on the mountain top were taken prisoner by Pathet Lao/North Vietnamese troops," the Senate staff report said. Another on-going series of covert operations involved planes used for target-spotting in Laos along the many North Vietnamese trails and safe havens. The pilots known as "Ravens" were officially based in Thailand but operated their light planes from rough air strips in Laos. They were involved in collecting intelligence, spotting for artillery fire and providing targeting for fighter bomber operations in Laos. HIGH CASUALTIES The report said many Raven pilots were lost because of ground fire, bad weather, mechanical failures or pilot error in the dangerous mountainous flying conditions. Those missing would have been declared KIA-BNR by the U.S. government but some would actually have been captured. "Between 1957 and 1975 Army SF (Special Forces) lost large numbers of personnel in Laos and other areas of Indochina...the vast majority of KIA-BNR, loses and those individuals that vanished (MIAS) remain unaccounted for to date," the report said. It added that others involved in dangerous covert operations in nearby countries during the Vietnam was years including Air Force commandos, Marine Corps reconnaissance, Navy SEALs (Sea Air Land commandos) and other Navy and Army units. It said they were involved in what the report calls "covert ground and air operations in Laos, Cambodia, North Vietnam, South Vietnam, Burma, China and Thailand." "Due to the covert nature of their activities personnel losses from intelligence agencies do not appear in public documents for the Second Indochina War (1965-75). The number of persons lost during covert operations in Southeast Asia is not public. Circumstances of these losses are generally kept from loved ones, from Congress and from others." the report said. NAM VET Newsletter Page 24 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 POW/MIA Family Members Arrested in Hanoi From POW Network Input by: Terry Hayes, Waterloo, NY at VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 Special to the U.S. Veteran By Donna Long A group of Americans, including two POW/MIA family members, were arrested in Hanoi last month and threatened with a 3-12 month prison term for distributing Vietnamese currency stamped with a reward sticker offering $2.5 million for the return of a live American prisoner of war. "They said we had broken Law 81," said Barbara Birchim, whose husband, Green Beret Capt. James Birchim, has been missing in Vietnam since Nov. 15, 1968. On February 12, Mrs. Birchim, MIA sister Roni Shanley and Vietnam veterans Bill Evans and Sam Van Alstyne traveled to Vietnam on a three-week visa. About a month before the group left, Ms. Shanley, whose brother, SP5 Michael Shanley Jr., has been missing in action in South Vietnam since Dec. 2, 1969, was contacted by the U.S. Army. "The Army was real coy - they told her they were probably way out of line, but they were going to come visit her and she might want to change her mind about going to Vietnam," Mrs. Birchim said. Five days before the group left, Army officials showed up at the Shanley home and told the family that remains had been recovered from the crash site of a helicopter on which Michael Shanley had been a crew member. The family was told that although only one of the four crew members on the helicopter had been positively identified from the recovered remains, the Army had concluded all four men had died in the crash. A mass burial of the remains recovered at the crash site took place in Arlington Cemetery on April 20, and is the second mass internment of unidentifiable remains from the Vietnam War within a month. "I guess they thought Roni would cancel her trip - but it didn't work," Mrs. Birchim said, calling the Army's timing of their announcement "quite a coincidence". The stated purpose of the group's visit to Vietnam was to distribute 500 pounds of medical supplies which Mrs. Birchim, who is a nurse, had collected. "We delivered the medical supplies, but we also had a hidden agenda," Mrs. Birchim said. The hidden agenda was to pass out Vietnamese currency stamped with a sticker offering $2.5 million for the return of a live American POW. "We put them everywhere - from Saigon to Hanoi - before we got caught," Mrs. Birchim said. On March 2, the American group made an overnight trip from Hanoi to a nearby pagoda and left some of the stamped money behind. "Unfortunately, Vietnamese officials found the money and we had been the only visitors at the pagoda," Mrs. Birchim said. After being interrogated for about an hour, the Americans admitted what they had done and signed a document promising not to put the reward stickers on any more pieces of Vietnamese currency. NAM VET Newsletter Page 25 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 "We were told that would be the end of it, but that was a bunch of lies," Mrs. Birchim said. Mrs. Birchim said when the group returned to Hanoi they were visited by an official, who flashed a badge. She said the official told everyone in the group except Van Alstyne to be at the Department of Interior at 10 a.m. the next morning. The following morning, Mrs. Birchim, Ms. Shanley and Evans were interrogated for about two hours. The officials praised the group for bringing the medical supplies to Vietnam, but said they had broken the law and wanted to know the names of the provinces in which they had distributed the money and how much money they had passed out. "We told them we didn't know how much we had passed out and we couldn't remember the names of the provinces," Mrs. Birchim said, adding that the latter statement was the truth. Mrs. Birchim said she showed the officials leaflets about her missing husband and told them she had not passed them out because she did not want to do anything wrong. On November 15, 1968, Capt. Birchim, who was wounded, was being extracted out of Laos with three other wounded men. There were only three McQuire rigs on the helicopter, and Birchim, who was holding onto a man in one of the rigs, slipped off somewhere between the Tri-border area and Kontum. Mrs. Birchim said the Vietnamese told her they knew she had the leaflets and had not distributed them, but told her the group had broken Vietnamese law by passing out the currency. "They said Law 81 forbids using money for your own purposes and forbids spreading propaganda and we could be taken before a judge and sentenced to 3-12 years in prison," Mrs. Birchim said. "I told them we didn't know we were breaking the law because it was not illegal in the United States to place stickers on money or offer rewards for missing people," the MIA wife said. The Vietnamese officials finally agreed to let the Americans go, but not before the group once again signed a document promising not to distribute any more currency with the reward message. "They told us to have a nice life ... that we were welcomed to return to their country and then found us four seats on an overbooked plane to Thailand," Mrs. Birchim said. Asked if distributing the reward message had been worth the risk, Mrs. Birchim said, "You bet it was. We plastered Vietnam with reward messages - from the south to the north." Mrs. Birchim said the only regret she had was that she had been unable to travel to Kontum, the last place her husband had been stationed. "I made a promise 20 years ago," Mrs. Birchim said, and after pausing a moment added, "I may just take them up on their invitation to visit their country again." Donna Long is a POW/MIA activist and free lance journalist. Ms. Long and Vietnam Veteran Jim Copp were arrested in Laos on Oct.3, 1988, for passing out currency stamped with the reward message and spent 41 days in prison. Long and Copp were part of a program sponsored by the National Steering Committee for American War Veterans to advertise the reward inside Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Another supporter, Lynn Hampton (a Vietnam vet nurse), distributed over 3000 bills marked with the reward notice inside of Vietnam in early 1988. NAM VET Newsletter Page 26 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 NATIONAL LEAGUE OF FAMILIES OF AMERICAN PRISONERS AND MISSING IN SOUTHEAST ASIA 1068 K Street, N. W., Washington D. C. 20006 (202) 223- 6846 Input by: Joyce Flory NamVet's Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 YOU CAN HELP Write Letters: To Members of Congress urging them to help in making the American people aware of the POW/MIA issue and to offer bipartisan support for the U. S. government's current high priority on accounting for over 2,400 missing Americans. (Name of Representative) (Name of Senator) House of Representatives US Senate Washington D. C. 20515 Washington D. C. 20510 To editors of local papers in an effort to draw responsible public attention to the missing men. To the Vietnamese, thanking them for increased efforts and urging fulfillment of their commitment to cooperate fully with the US government to resolve the POW/MIA issue within two years. Send your letters to: SRV Mission to the United Nations 20 Waterside Plaza New York, New York 10010 PUBLIC AWARENESS: Distribute factual POW/MIA information to friends, co-workers and at meetings of civic, fraternal, business and veterans groups. Request update articles from the League to include in national and local organization publications. Obtain engagements for POW/MIA speakers, particularly at national and state conventions and other large gatherings. Remember POW/MIAs in appropriate ceremonies - including Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Christmas services and National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Public Awareness Overviews are available for advance planning. SUPPORT THE LEAGUE: Help raise funds to continue this important work. As suggestions: 1) Participate in the Adoption Program. Individuals or organizations can adopt a missing man for $5 a month. 2) Wear a POW/MIA logo lapel pin ($3 each or two for $5). 3) Fly a POW/MIA Flag, available from the League office at $40 each, prepaid. For more information and assistance in implementing programs, contact the League's National Public Awareness Coordinator: Kathi Neal Parsels 108 N. 26th St.,W. Bradenton, Fl 33505 813-749-0398 Fund raising note: Those who sponsor projects to raise funds for the National League of POW/MIA Families, should convert any cash NAM VET Newsletter Page 27 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 to checks before sending to the office. The League is a non-profit organization, tax exempt #23-7071242, incorporated in the District of Columbia. IMPORTANT NOTE: Call the League update line: 202-659-0133, for current information, 24 hours a day." VETERANS CAN HELP (Joyce's note: Backside of the leaflet) Along with the " YOU CAN HELP" information on the reverse side, the following are suggestions particularly appropriate for use by veterans groups in support of the POW/MIA issue: APPOINT A POW/MIA CHAIRMAN FOR THE CHAPTER OR POST: Request this person be put on the League's mailing list to keep the membership updated and coordinate POW/MIA activities. POW/MIA ADOPTION PROGRAM: For a donation of $ 5 a month or more, a group can " adopt" a POW/MIA. Responsibility for the adopted man includes: praying frequently for the man and his family; writing letters to Congress and the Vietnamese in his behalf; and telling others about him. Following are some other ideas: - Re-name the post, chapter, or unit for the POW/MIA. - Have an empty chair at all meetings to symbolize the missing man - Send cards on appropriate occasions (birthdays, Christmas, etc.) to the missing man through the SRV Ambassador to the United Nations. Urge people in the community to do the same. SPEAKERS: Obtain a knowledgeable speaker about the POW/MIA issue for district meetings, state conventions and national events. Appoint someone in the group to study the POW/MIA issue in detail and to be available to speak to clubs and organizations in the area. (A speakers bureau guide and speech outline are available.) COMMUNITY PARADES: Participate in local parades. Floats can be made depicting POWs in captivity and using posters and other material available from the League offices. SILENT PARADE: An ideal way to graphically focus on the issue is a "Silent Parade." It consists of flag bearers, men in chains to depict Americans in captivity, a lone drummer and columns of concerned friends. A rough sketch of this type of event can be provided through the League's national and special projects offices. BOOTHS AT MEETINGS: Attempt to set up a table or booth at district, state or national meetings where POW/MIA information can be made available. (Brochures, POW/MIA decals, flyers and posters can be obtained cost free from the League office.) Also, items such as logo pins can be sold as a fundraiser for the League. A group may also want to have items made locally such as t-shirts, buttons, key chains, etc. A vendor's list is available from the League office. AND ... Ask for proof of POW's from those who claim to have it and turn it over to responsible government authorities. NAM VET Newsletter Page 28 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ... Adopt resolutions that encourage further Vietnamese/ Laos Cooperation. ... Counter Misinformation. REMEMBER: Americans still missing in Indochina need a string, unified voice from Veterans that they support the President's priority and the POW/MIA Families. 1/86 NAM VET Newsletter Page 29 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ================================================================= B r e a k o u t t h e C l e a r a s i l < t m > ! ================================================================= Criminal Investigation of Monsanto Corporation Input by Terry Hayes - Waterloo, NY VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 [Text downloaded from POW Network] UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON D.C. 20460 OFFICE OF SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE MEMORANDUM DATE: November I5, 1990 SUBJECT: Criminal Investigation of Monsanto Corporation - Cover-up of Dioxin Contamination in Products - Falsification of Dioxin Health Studies FROM: Cate Jenkins, Ph.D., Chemist Regulatory Development Branch (OS 332) Characterization and Assessment Division TO: John West, Special Agent in Charge Office of Criminal Investigations National Enforcement Investigations Center U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Building 53, Box 25227 (303) 236-5100 Denver, Colorado 80225 Kevin Guarino, Special Agent Office of Criminal Investigations National Enforcement Investigations Center, EPA As per our meeting yesterday, I am summarizing information available to me supporting allegations of a long pattern of fraud by Monsanto Corporation. The fraud concerns 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (dioxin) contamination of a wide range of Monsanto Corporation products, as well as health studies of Monsanto's dioxin-exposed workers. You indicated that you would contact me regarding the specific documents which would be useful to your investigation. SIGNIFICANCE OF MONSANTO'S DIOXIN FRAUD You stated that pursuing a criminal prosecution against Monsanto would require a prior determination of the significance of the fraud. In order for proceedings to be initiated by EPA, the fraud would need to have affected the regulatory process at EPA and Monsanto would need to have knowing submitted the falsified data and health studies to EPA in order to affect the regulatory process. Monsanto has in fact submitted false information to EPA which NAM VET Newsletter Page 30 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 directly resulted in weakened regulations under RCRA and FIFRA since these regulations do not take into account tetrachlorinated dioxin contamination in tri-, tetra-, and pentachlorophenols, as well as 2,4-dichlorophenol and its phenoxy acetate (2,4-D, a currently used herbicide). In addition, Monsanto's failure to report dioxin contamination of the disinfectant in Lysol has prevented any ban or other alleviation of human exposures to dioxins in this product. The Monsanto human health studies have been submitted to EPA by Monsanto as part of public comments on proposed dioxin rules and Agency-wide dioxin risk assessments by the Office of Research and Development. These Monsanto health studies are continually relied upon by all offices of EPA to conclude that dioxins have not caused cancer or other health effects (other than chloracne) in humans. Thus, dioxin has been given a lesser carcinogenic potential ranking, which continues to be the basis of less stringent regulations and lesser degrees of environmental controls. The Monsanto studies in question have also been a key basis for denying compensation to Vietnam Veterans exposed to Agent Orange and their children suffering birth defects from such parental exposures. (1) Monsanto would not be able to support a claim that independent researchers were responsible for the falsifications, because Monsanto personnel compiled all data utilized by these researchers. In addition the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences partially funded one of the Monsanto studies in question providing a basis for charges of the fraudulent use of governmental funds. DIOXIN CONTAMINATION OF MONSANTO PRODUCTS Monsanto covered-up the dioxin contamination of a wide range of its products. Monsanto either failed to report contamination, substituted false information purporting to show no contamination or submitted samples to the government for analysis which had been specially prepared so that dioxin contamination did not exist. The earliest known effort by Monsanto to cover-up dioxin contamination of its products involved the herbicide used in Vietnam Agent Orange (2,4,5-trichlorophenoxy acetate, 2,4,5-T). Available internal Monsanto correspondence in the 1960's shows a knowledge of this contamination and the fact that the dioxin contaminant was responsible for kidney and liver damage, as well as the skin condition chloracne." Early internal Monsanto documents reveal that samples of 2,4,5-T and other chlorinated herbicides and chlorophenols submitted to the U.S. Department of Agriculture in the 1970s were "doctored." In other words, highly contaminated samples were not submitted to the government, and Monsanto samples of penta tetra-, tri-, dichlorophenol, and associated herbicides never contained tetrachlorinated dioxins. These analyses were subsequently adopted by EPA in a 1980 publication and were used without any data from other sources as the basis for 1984 regulations under RCRA. As a result, these regulations do not control the chlorophenol/phenoxy acetate products as acutely hazardous due to their contamination of tetrachlorinated dioxins. Monsanto also submitted assertions to EPA that process chemistry would preclude the formation of tetrachlorinated dioxins in any NAM VET Newsletter Page 31 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 chlorophenolic product other that 2,4,5-tetrachlorophenol or its phenoxy acetate. Evidence from the Kemner v. Monsanto proceedings revealed that the process chemistry claimed by Monsanto was not always used. In fact, off-specification dichlorophenol, known to be contaminated with tetrachlorinated dioxin, was being used as a feedstock to make pentachlorophenol and other chlorinated products. The result of this alternate synthesis route is the introduction of dioxins as a contaminants. EPA also relied on these "process chemistry" arguments by Monsanto as a basis for not regulating most chlorophenols and 2,4-D for their tetrachlorinated dioxin content. Another Monsanto document introduced as evidence in the above proceedings shows cross-contamination of a range of Monsanto products with tetrachlorinated dioxins by the following mechanism: The same production equipment is used without cleaning for all chlorinated phenolic products. In 1984, when promulgating the dioxin regulations under RCRA, EPA was only made aware of the cross contamination problem in the event that 2,4-D was made on equipment previously used to make 2,4,5-T. Thus, EPA again was subverted from promulgating adequate regulations for products other than 2,4-D that were cross- contaminated with dioxins. Members of the Canadian Parliament recently directed investigations by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and government scientist into the dioxin contamination of disinfectants such as Lysol containing Monsanto's Santophen (ortho-dichloro-para-phenyl phenol), and directed laboratory analyses of existing stocks. This disinfectant uses the ortho-dichlorophenol, discussed above, as a feedstock, which would introduce any dioxins present into the disinfectant. In a 1984 letter to the Canadian government, Monsanto asserted that their disinfectant contained no dioxin. This was later refuted by testimony by Monsanto's chemist. FRAUDULENT DIOXIN HEALTH STUDIES As you indicated today, demonstrating criminal fraud in the epidemiological studies performed by Monsanto on its dioxin- exposed workers would necessitate bringing in appropriate groups in EPA capable of performing scientific study audits.(3) You indicated, however, that NEIC did not believe this would be a barrier to the investigation. The following are a few key instances where obvious fraud was utilized in the conduct of these studies: Dr. Raymond Suskind at the University of Cincinnati was hired by Monsanto to study the workers at Monsanto's Nitro, West Virginia plant. Dr. Suskind stated in published studies in question that chloracne, a skin condition was the prime indicator of high human dioxin exposures, and no other health effects would be observed in the absence of this condition. Unpublished studies by Suskind, however, indicate the fallacy of this statement. No workers except those having chloracne were ever examined by Suskind or included in his study. In other words, if no workers without chloracne were ever examined for other health effects, there is no basis for asserting that chloracne was "the hallmark of dioxin intoxication." (4) These conclusions have been repeatedly utilized by EPA, the Veterans Administration, etc., to deny any causation by dioxin of health effects of exposed citizens, if NAM VET Newsletter Page 32 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 these persons did not exhibit chloracne. The results of Dr. Suskind's studies also were diluted by the fact that the exposed group contained not only individuals having chloracne (a genuine, but not the only effect of dioxin exposure), but also all workers having any type of skin condition such as a chemical rash. The workers could have had no or negligible dioxin exposures, but they were included in the study as part of the heavily exposed group. This fact was revealed only by the careful reading of the published Suskind study.(5) Further, Dr. Suskind utilized statistics on the skin conditions of workers compiled by a Monsanto clerical worker, without any independent verification.(6) Dr. Suskind also covered-up the documented neurological damage from dioxin exposures. At Workers Compensation hearings, Suskind denied that the workers experienced any neurological health effects. In the Kemnmer, et al v. Monsanto proceedings, however, it was revealed that Suskind had in his possession at the time examinations of the workers by Monsanto's physician, Dr. Nestman, documenting neurological health effects. In his later published study, Dr. Suskind denied the continuing documented neurological health effects suffered by the workers, falsely stating that symptoms "had cleared." All of the Monsanto dioxin studies also suffer another fatal flaw. The purported "dioxin unexposed" control group was selected from other workers at the same Monsanto plant. An earlier court settlement revealed not only that these supposedly unexposed workers were exposed to dioxins, but also to other carcinogens, One of these carcinogens, para-amino biphenyl, was known by Monsanto to be a human carcinogen and it was also known that workers were heavily exposed. Another Monsanto study involved independent medical examinations of surviving employees by Monsanto physicians. Several hundred former Monsanto employees were too ill to travel to participate in the study. Monsanto refused to use the attending physicians reports of the illness as part of their study, saying that it would introduce inconsistencies. Thus, any critically ill dioxin- exposed workers with cancers such as Non-Hodgkins lymphoma (associated with dioxin exposures), were conveniently excluded from the Monsanto study. There are numerous other flaws in the Monsanto health studies. Each of these misrepresentations and falsifications always served to negate any conclusions of adverse health effects from dioxins. A careful audit of these studies by EPA's epidemiological scientists should be obtained as part of your investigation. The false conclusions contained in the Monsanto studies have recently been refuted by the findings of a recent study by the National Institute of Occupation Safety and Health (NIOSH). This NIOSH study, recently circulated by Dr. Marilyn Fingerhut for review, found a statistically significant increase in cancers at all sites in the Monsanto workers, when dioxin exposed workers at Monsanto and other industrial locations were examined as an aggregate group.(7) NAM VET Newsletter Page 33 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding documents to support your investigation, which include testimony and evidentiary documents from the ongoing Kemner v. Monsanto litigation, earlier litigation in West Virginia brought by the Monsanto workers, ongoing investigations by the Canadian government internal Monsanto documents, as well as documentation of the submission of the fraudulent data and studies by Monsanto to support the rulemaking process under RCRA and other EPA authorities. CC: Admiral E. Zumwalt Senator Thomas Daschel Congressman Ted Weiss American Legion National Vietnam Veteran's Coalition Oklahoma Agent Orange Foundation Independent International Agent Orange Network Vietnam Veterans of New Zealand Greenpeace, U.S.A Earth First Natural Resources Defense Council Environmental Defense Fund Lennart Hardell, M.D., Ph.D. Mikael Eriksson, M.D. Olaf Axelson M.D. Friedaman Rohleder, M.D. Mike Petruska Chief, Regulatory Development Branch Carrol G. Wills, Acting Director, NEIC, EPA/Denver ------------------------ (1) The American Medical Association, concerned about the veracity of one of the Monsanto studies published in its journal, stated that a reassessment would be undertaken if the outcome of appeal of the Kenmer v. Monsanto litigation did not reverse the verdict impugning the credibility of the Monsanto studies. (2) You indicated that NEIC would be reticent to receive documents of this nature suspected to be under a court protective order, but assured me that you would pursue legal routes to obtain them independently. (3) You should be cautioned regarding any consultation with Dr. Renate Kimbrough at EPA regarding the review of the Monsanto studies. Dr. Kimbrough was contacted by Monsanto during the Kenmer v. Monsanto litigation and provided expert testimony, while an employee of the Centers for Disease Control, on behalf of Monsanto. Dr. Kimbrough has provided expert testimony on behalf of other defendant corporations responsible for dioxin pollution even coauthoring papers with these defendants. (4) Suskind examined only one worker without chloracne (Mr. Kiley), and dismissed this individual's health complaints as being those of a complainer. (5) Later studies by the Centers for Disease Control have demonstrated that any manifestation of chloracne in humans is not correlated with the blood dioxin levels. In other words, individuals with lower blood dioxin have been observed to develop chloracne, those with higher blood levels did not. NAM VET Newsletter Page 34 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 (6) The deposition of Ms. Jan Young of Monsanto, previously under a protective order, is in the process of release pursuant to a motion by Greenpeace, USA (7) This NIOSH study does have an inherent design weakness that would diminish the capability of detecting excess cancers. This is because Monsanto and the other dioxin-producing companies were allowed to independently select the group of dioxin-exposed workers to be studied by NIOSH. --------------------------- UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 ENFORCEMENT CONFIDENTIAL ------------------------ OCT 23 I990 OFFICE OF SOLID WASTE AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE MEMORANDUM SUBJECT: Providing Information to NEIC FROM: Michael J. Petruska Chief Regulatory Development Branch TO: Cate Jenkins, Chemist Regulatory Development Branch It has come to my attention that you are in possession of information concerning certain health studies performed by Monsanto Corporation on dioxins. Accordingly, I am directing you, as part of your assigned duties, to meet with Special Agent Kevin Guarino of NEIC to describe the information in your possession, and if Special Agent Guarino thinks the information would be helpful, to provide the information including copies of documents, etc., to him. Please let me know how much time will be involved after you have met. CC: David Bussard Kevin Guarino, NEIC NAM VET Newsletter Page 35 Volume 5, Number 1 January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xxx _ -. . - .-. - . . . . - XXXXXxxXXXXXXXXXXXx -. - .- . - . . XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX-. .--. - .- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX -.- - -.- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX -. -. -. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXx .g -. -. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX .- j. .- XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX . p .-. XXXXXXXX ]XXXXXXXXX ]XXXXXXXX .- - -. XXXXXX XXXXX XXXXXX -.- - -- XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX -- - XXXXXXXXX X'`XXX XXXXXXX Y Y XXXXXXXXX XXXXX XXX XXXXXXX X X XXXXXXXX XXXXXXX XXX XXXXXX XXX XX X XXX XX XX XXXX XX XXX XX XX XX XXXX XXX]XXXXXXXXXXXX XXX[ XX XX XXX XXXXXXXXXX " I t ' s o n l y t e e n a g e a c n e ! " -Robert Nimmo- NAM VET Newsletter Page 36 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ================================================================= F r o m A z t e c S h o r e t o A r c t i c Z o n e ================================================================= COAST GUARD PORT SECURITY UNITS JOIN MIDDLE EAST OPERATIONS Article from the December, 1990 issue of "RETIREE NEWSLETTER" US COAST GUARD HEADQUARTERS. Story by Photojournalist 1st Class Mike Price & Photojournalist 2nd Class Steve Blando Input by: Jack Hawkins SCPO, US Coast Guard (Retired) VETLINK #1 - PITTSFIELD, MA (413) 443-6313 Six weeks after multinational troops began pouring into Saudi Arabia, Coast Guard Reservists were called to action with the deployment of two Port Security Units (PSU) from the 9th Coast Guard District. (NOTE: the 9th Coast Guard District encompasses the Great Lakes areas of New York, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Minnesota.) In mid-September, the first unit, a 117 person detachment from Reserve Group Milwaukee, deployed from Toledo, Ohio. A few days later, another PSU from Reserve Group Buffalo followed suit. Stateside, the third and final PSU from Cleveland was standing by for orders to ship out. To date, more than 700 Reservists have been called up in the first involuntary overseas mobilization of Coast Guard Reserve units in their 50 year history. An important factor in the decision to call up these citizen- sailors was the confidence in the PSU's ability to do the job. This unit's high level of competence in the result of about six years of very specialized training, the most recent of which was at Camp Perry, a National Guard base on Lake Erie, near Toledo, Ohio. The training at Camp Perry was conducted in two one-week periods during August and September and involved PSU's from both Group Milwaukee and Group Buffalo. CAPT Carmond Fitzgerald, the 9th District's Chief of Readiness and Reserve, held an all-hands briefing to provide the Reservists with some idea of what they could expect in the next few weeks of training. The tone of the briefing was very frank. "The training you receive here at Camp Perry may be the toughest you've ever had in the Coast Guard," he said. "And then shortly thereafter, everyone may be going on a trip to the Middle East." The training at Camp Perry covered many subjects. It was administered by a handpicked group of Coast Guard instructors from the Coast Guard Reserve Training Center Yorktown, Va. and a special team of instructors from the Ohio National Guard. The team from Yorktown put the Reservists through their paces with extensive instruction in boat operations. This training including several hours of practice on how to protect a secured area from hostile traffic. While the boat crews were busy on the water, other Reservists on shore were receiving some special instructions in maritime security. With full combat regalia - M-16s, helmets and NAM VET Newsletter Page 37 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 camouflaged uniforms - they looked more like combat infantry troops than members of the nation's oldest continuous seagoing service. While all the training at Camp Perry was important, there was one subject that was mandatory and critical for everyone to learn: CBR - chemical, biological, and radiological - instruction detailed the use of special clothing and gas masks, in the event of a chemical warfare attack. Under the guidance of CBR specialists from the Ohio National Guard, the Reservists were given a full day of comprehensive instruction in the many dangers of various chemical agents, and the proper use of equipment required for protection. More training followed on how to properly wear the charcoal- lines protective suit and the CBR mask. This meant learning how to properly clear the mask of any possible toxic agents, while also ensuring that there was an airtight seal around the face. All this had to be accomplished in a period of 15 seconds. Suit training turned into a sweaty ordeal. After getting into the suit, the instructors took the class for a walk, which also included a 50 yard sprint on the beach. With temperatures in the mid-80's - and with very high humidity - CBR training was not at all enjoyable, but was viewed by everyone as something that could mean the difference between life and death. On September 14, all speculation was over. The word spread like wildfire and in a matter of minutes, everyone knew that Milwaukee had been called up. On the last day of training at Camp Perry, the troops were visited by RADM Fred Golove, the Senior Reserve Officer in the Coast Guard. RADM Golove was intrigued by the wide array of personalities before him. After querying some Reservists on their background, he discovered the myriad of talents that made up the Reserve force. He found plumbers, electricians, doctors, lawyers, college professors, teachers, TV reporters, photographers, nurses, salesmen, police officers, and firefighters - just to name a few. He found what he already knew. They were people from all walks of life, brought together under circumstances that seemed both impossible and improbable just a few short months ago. NAM VET Newsletter Page 38 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 U.S. Coast Guard in South East Asia/Vietnam Conflict; Part 2 By: Jack Hawkins, USCG (Ret) - Staten Island, NY VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 ------------------------------------- From Aztec Shore to Arctic Zone To Europe and Far East Our Flag is carried by Our Ships In Time of War and Peace Verse from "SEMPER PARATUS" The Coast Guard Marching Song ------------------------------------- In Part 1 of Coast Guard Operations in South East Asia during the Vietnam War,(NAMVET NEWSLETTER, VOLUME 4 EDITION 12) we saw the establishment and operations of the inner barrier patrols with Coast Guard Squadron 1 and 2, consisting of 82 ft patrol boats. In Part 2, we will see the operations of the Outer Barrier units, the seagoing cutters of Coast Guardron Three, and the Coast Guard Port Security and Waterways detail. ------------------------------------- Aye we been always ready to do to fight or die To write glory to the shield we wear in letters in the sky "SEMPER PARATUS" ------------------------------------- AND A STORY OF THIRTY Early in 1967, the Navy forces assigned to Market Time and other operations were being stretched thin. As a result, the Navy requested that the Coast Guard provide five High Endurance Cutters (WHEC) for duty with the Coast Surveillance Forces. On 24 April 1967, Coast Guard Squadron Three was formed at Pearl Harbor. Two days later the squadron sailed from Pearl Harbor arriving at Subic Bay on 10 May. The Cutter BARATARIA left Subic Bay a few days later and on the 22nd of May fired the first WHEC Naval Gunfire Support Mission (NGFS) mission of the war. The HEC's continued their peacetime duties with the Cutter HALF MOON acting as On Scene Commander in the search for survivors from the sunken ship SHINAGAWA MARU. The YAKUTAT took a young girl aboard for inpatient treatment after she sustained a gun shot wound in the leg. Almost immediately the cutters started conducting MEDCAPS, but these will be discussed in a later chapter. On 1 October 1967, Commander, Task Unit (CTU) 70.8.6 (RONTHREE) consolidated with CTU 70.8.5 (Navy Escort Squadron). The new unit was designated CTU 70.8.5, commanded by the senior Coast Guard officer, and given the additional duty as "Commander, Cruiser- Destroyer Group Seventh Fleet Representative, Subic." Besides the normal squadron administrative duties, CTU 70.8.5 was also tasked with scheduling, equipment pools, boarding briefings, message handling, yeoman and storekeeper services, casualty report control, material expediting, personnel routing, and so on. An almost immediate result of this consolidation was the decision to include RONTHREE cutters in the Senior Officer Present Alfoat Administrative (SOPA ADMIN) HONG KONG rotation. Vessels assigned NAM VET Newsletter Page 39 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 as SOPA ADMIN provided administrative support for other naval units visiting Hong Kong including coordinating arrivals, departures, services and activities, liaison with the Royal Navy authorities, the American Consulate, and SOPA HONG KONG. The BERING STRAIT was the first cutter to perform these duties. Due to their shallow draft the cutters of Squadron Three were primarily assigned to the Gulf of Thailand. Not long after their arrival they started to provide 5"/38 gunfire support. The primary NGFS aid was given to the village of Song Ong Doc near the Ca Mau peninsula. Song Ong Doc had a small United States Special Forces base and was located in the middle of a VC controlled area. The village was practically adopted by the Coast Guard as we shall see later. Another support measure provided by the high endurance cutters was to supply logistic support to the WPB's and PCF's on patrol. The PCF is a rough riding boat with few amenities. To allow the PCF to remain on patrol for extended periods two crews were assigned, with the off-duty crew living aboard the outer barrier cutter. Frequently personnel from the cutter replaced the sick, wounded or tired personnel of the PCF. In order for the high endurance cutters to resupply, they had to either load at one of the support bases or receive it from one of the oilers, ammunition ships, food and stores ships transiting the coastal waters. The latter proved the most feasible and the cutters embarked on a new way of life. Besides, the supply ships also carried mail from home. On 29 February 1968, the cutters WINONA and ANDROSCOGGIN engaged enemy infiltrating trawlers and destroyed them with the aid of WPB's and Navy units. The MINNETONKA turned back another. These engagements have been previously described in the WPB story. Providing medical treatment for other military personnel was a constant activity. Wounded U.S. Navy and Army personnel were treated aboard the cutters, along with other friendlies. USN, USCG, and VNN vessels who knew that the cutters carried medical officers would transfer their sick to the cutters for treatment. The ANDROSCOGGIN's medical officer performed four hours of major surgery on a Vietnamese soldier wounded by a grenade. Spring and early summer of 1968 provided action for the cutters CAMPBELL and ANDROSCOGGIN. The ANDROSCOGGIN participated in an amphibious operation conducted by ARVN troops, with other cutters participating in similar operations at later dates. The cutter CAMPBELL was on patrol near the DMZ and came across a derelict junk which she blew up so it would not be a hazard to navigation. A few days later, the PCF 19 which was attached to CAMPBELL was sunk near the Cua Viet river by friendly aircraft. The cutter POINT DUME recovered the only two survivors. ANDROSCOGGIN a month later provided emergency damage control assistance to a PCF while ANDROSCOGGIN was providing NGFS. The OWASCO, a few months later, saved a PCF from sinking after it had been hit by enemy fire. In June 1969, the ANDROSCOGGIN conducted hydrographic survey of previously uncharted area. This type of operation became routine with the cutters charting the proper position of lights, islands, and so forth. The Cutter MORGENTHAU frequently transmitted chart corrections and even located an uncharted pinnacle when she struck it. The INGHAM provided a similar chart correction when she grounded. The Song Ong Doc area was in a constant state of battle and as was mentioned before, frequent assistance was given by the cutters. This being repeated to accentuate the gravity of the situation and the amount of support given. Eventually, due to the NAM VET Newsletter Page 40 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 extreme situation a cutter was assigned almost full-time to support of Song Ong Doc especially with NGFS. WINNEBAGO and DALLAS deserve special recognition for all their support. Services were also provided to PCF's making sorties into VC controlled areas. The cutter would provide NGFS, logistics, damage control, and medical support. At the other end of Vietnam the cutters patrolling near the DMZ had the additional mission of preventing lost vessels from straying over the 17th parallel. Gunfire support was not a prime duty in this area, but on one occasion when an Army post was in danger of being overrun the cutter OWASCO provided illumination while the USS NEW JERSEY provided destructive fire. On 16 May 1969, the Navy personnel of CTU 70.8.5 were withdrawn. as the duties were only slightly lessened, the Navy provided one officer and six enlisted on TAD to fill in the gap. A month later, the RONTHREE staff worked nearly full-time on salvaging gear from the stricken USS FRANK E. EVANS. July 1969 proved exciting for the cutter SPENCER when she caught fire in Sasebo, Japan. The fire damage was not extensive and she was soon underway. The same month SEBAGO extracted 5 ARVN's from an enemy controlled area using a landing party accompanied by the ship's doctor. One hour after extracting the five ARVN's they returned to rescue the spotter pilot who was shot down in the rescue attempt. The cutters of RONTHREE consisted of pre-World War II and World War II vintage cutters. Though their performance was outstanding they were handicapped by age, partial obsolescence, and relatively low speed. On 1 October 1969 the Cutter HAMILTON arrived in Subic Bay. She was the first of a class of Coast Guard cutters (commissioned 1967) endowed with high speed, improved gunfire control, habitability, and a large flight deck. The flight deck made the cutter extremely versatile allowing helicopters to use the ship for refueling, transferring supplies, transporting personnel, and evacuating wounded. Less than one month after arriving, the HAMILTON landed a large twin rotor helicopter. These new cutters felt they were being underutilized and after holding briefings ashore had a substantial jump in activity. In March of 1970 the SS COLUMBIA EAGLE was taken over by mutineers, the crew set adrift, and the ship taken into Cambodia. The Cutters MELLON and CHASE participated in the successful resolving situation, with the CHASE providing transportation for the crew to return. The Coast Guard cutters appeared to be the constant keepers of the Gulf of Thailand and so gathered considerable knowledge about the area which they would impart to arriving Navy ships when not engaged in NGFS, MEDCAPS, patrol or other duties. As the cutters would normally return to the area after an R & R port, they frequently took in-country personnel with them on these port visits which proved to be a tremendous morale booster for in- country troops. Vietnamese naval personnel were also taken, and on some trips it was SRO. We have now returned to the Gulf of Thailand and April 1970 when an ARVN unit was in danger of being overrun. The cutter DALLAS responded with NGFS providing a path for the ARVN's and routing the enemy. The DALLAS' medical officer treated eight wounded Vietnamese soldiers on board until they could be evacuated to a hospital. During the operation, DALLAS covered the landing and the subsequent extraction of the troops. It was determined that the Vietnamese Navy should obtain NAM VET Newsletter Page 41 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 offshore patrol units and the Cutters BERING STRAIT and YAKUTAT were selected. They arrived in Subic Bay in June 1970 with a small cadre of Vietnamese aboard, which was supplemented by another contingent at Subic. The VNN personnel were taught the operations of the ship and soon took over important positions in CIC, Boarding parties, NGFS details, and repair crews. The VNN also performed the external functions of the ship, especially boarding. The VNN officers soon became underway and in-port OOD's. Teams assumed full responsibility for engineering watches. did the navigation and piloting, and provided all the control and most other positions in the NGFS teams. Their training became apparent when a combined USCG/VNN rescue and assistance party from the YAKUTAT extinguished a serious fire and performed post-fire support on a USN landing ship. Rumors had been circulating that Song Ong Doc was going to be overrun and in October 1970 the village and the base were hit hard by the VC and most of the base destroyed. In November, the base and village moved inland to New Song Ong Doc and the Coast Guard support requirements lessened. However, a month later the Cutter RUSH and an Australian destroyer conducted emergency gunfire support for New Song Ong Doc killing 64 of the attackers. A trawler attempted to infiltrate on the 21st of November 1970. After being hailed to stop, she resisted and was destroyed by gunfire from the Cutters RUSH and SHERMAN, and USN units. November 1970 saw the BERING STRAIT and YAKUTAT in Subic Bay being painted gray except for the Coast Guard identification markings. In December, the cutters underwent refresher training with nearly an all Vietnamese crew. After completion of the training, the ships departed for Saigon. There they were turned over to the Vietnamese on 1 January 1971 in a colorful ceremony where the invocation was given by a Navy chaplain and the benediction by a Buddhist monk. On 28 February 1971, after dropping of a MEDCAP party, the Cutter MORGENTHAU struck an uncharted rock pinnacle in the Gulf of Thailand causing extensive underwater damage. After being towed to Subic Bay. The Ship Repair Facility had the MORGENTHAU repaired and underway in record time. The night of 11-12 April 1971 found the Cutters RUSH and MORGENTHAU teamed up with Navy and VNN units to destroy an enemy trawler trying to infiltrate supplies into South Vietnam near the Cau Mau peninsula. The Cutters CASTLE ROCK and COOK INLET arrived in Subic Bay in July 1971 for eventual turnover to the Vietnamese Navy. The training progressed rapidly, with dual ship exercises taking place in November. To display his confidence in the high state of training the Commodore of RONTHREE transferred between the two ships on a highline. December 1971 saw the COOK INLET as the last Coast Guard cutter on a combat patrol in Vietnamese waters, with a primarily Vietnamese crew. On the 21st of December the final two ships of Coast Guard Squadron Three were transferred to the Vietnamese Navy in Saigon. These two ships then proceeded to Subic Bay in January for refresher training conducted by RONTHREE and Navy personnel. Coast Guard Squadron Three was disestablished on 31 January, 1971 ending another chapter of Coast Guard history. PORT SECURITY AND WATERWAYS DETAIL One of the missions of the Coast Guard is Port Security in United States ports. The Coast Guard is also responsible for the NAM VET Newsletter Page 42 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 safe loading and unloading of dangerous cargo. It was recognized early in the course of the war in Vietnam that some sort of port security and dangerous cargo safety was needed. The port of Saigon was just a big disaster waiting to happen. On 4 August, 1965, COMUSMACV initiated a request for a Coast Guard Port Security Officer to be assigned on a TAD to the Commander, Capitol Military District for the Port of Saigon. The Chief of Naval Operations concurred and forwarded the request to the Commandant of the Coast Guard. The success of the Coast Guard officer sent to Saigon initiated a request from CHNAVADVGRP to CINCPAC requesting the billet be made permanent. The need for experienced explosives handling personnel became more obvious after the demonstrated ability of the Port Security officer. On 17 February 1966, COMUSMACV requested CINCPAC ask the Commandant for two Explosives Loading Detachments consisting of one officer and seven enlisted each. The ELD's were to be highly trained in explosives handling, port security, and be able to instruct others in these duties. CINCPAC forwarded the request to JCS and they in turn had CNO request the Coast Guard to provide them. The Commandant replied in the affirmative on the 8th of March. The two ELD's were sent, with ELD #1 located Nha Be and ELD #2 at Cam Ranh Bay. After several months of operation RONONE asked that the senior enlisted be upgraded to either a senior or master chief. It was considered important as the chief petty officer ran into difficulty with senior Army enlisted personnel and frequently was dealing directly on important matters with senior Army officers. The problem was accentuated in that ELD's could stop any US flag vessel from loading or unloading and basically had "carte blanche" to do what they had to in order to enforce regulations. The ELD's were somewhat lacking in equipment as they were assigned away from the Coast Guard and attached to the Army's First Logistics Command. However, in the finest Coast Guard traditions they made do with what they had and what they could borrow from the Army. Much of their ability to borrow was due to the high esteem in which they were regarded. Once the word was out that ELD's were in-country, masters of vessels carrying dangerous cargos asked for them. Hairy situations were quite common with US and Vietnamese stevedores due to carelessness, drinking, and smoking, among ours. At Duc Pho one-third of the ammunition was lost due to sloppy procedures and it was not uncommon to have ammunition barges with Vietnamese families living aboard cooking with open fires. Most recommendations of the ELD's were followed including a recommendation of ELD #1 to move operations from Nha Be to Cat Lai in May 1967. In August Nha Be was hit extremely hard by the VC and had ammunition still been being unloaded there a disaster could have occurred. A common problem in the handling of ammunition was smoking. The Army military policeman assigned for security were the most common violators though the merchant seamen were not far behind. One Coast Guardsman was assaulted be seamen who did not like being told about not smoking on deck. In the Port of Da Nang, Division Twelve provided an inspection and advisory team for dangerous cargo handling on a not-to- interfere basis with normal duties. Though extremely useful they could not provide necessary service and in August 1967 Commander Naval Support Activities Da Nang requested a full time ELD team. In October a similar request was made by the port authorities in NAM VET Newsletter Page 43 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Qui Nhon in the aftermath of a potentially disastrous incident. The latter request was generated when a bomb dropped into am LCM killing the coxwain and one other man. The subsequent explosions would have caused the greatest disaster of the war had not the LCM drifted away from the ammunition ship. February 1968 provided considerable activity at Cat Lai for ELD #1. An unloading merchant ship took nine rounds of recoilless rifle fire and started to burn. The ELD team charged the hoses and put water on the deck, manned the winches and stowed ammunition located on deck, and finally got the Vietnamese stevedores to cover the hatches. A second incident a direct hit on an ammunition barge loaded with 81mm mortar rounds. The barge started to burn and the 1st class engineman assigned to the ELD boarded the barge. Finding that the fire hoses would not reach he commenced fighting the fire using his bare hands and buckets of water. Six pallets of mortar shells were burned before the fire was extinguished. The ELD's for Da Nang and Qui Nhon were provided and not long thereafter the Port Security officer called on the new port commander of Qui Nhon to discuss extremely hazardous conditions at Vung Ro Bay which were noted by the officer-in-charge of ELD #3. Immediate corrective action was taken and several Army officers relieved on the spot. A TAD unit was set up for the Port of Vung Tau made up of personnel from the other ELD's and so there were now 5 ELD's in-country. The ELD's were active in teaching as well as supervising. They taught U.S. Army and Vietnamese boat coxswains how to handle small boats and perform maintenance of outboard motors. The ELD's gave instructions in port fire fighting and pier inspections. They instructed Vietnamese army stevedores in the techniques of blocking and bracing cargo. In January 1971 the Coast Guard proceeded to train Vietnamese personnel in the safe handling of ammunition. The first eight ARVN officers completed on-the-job training in September. These officers were distributed among the various ELD's to assist in further training of ARVN personnel. The Vietnamese learned quickly and soon took over the bulk of supervising the offloading of ammunition under the supportive eye of ELD personnel. Some masters offered some objections to the arrangement, but these died with the obvious competence of the Vietnamese ELD Teams. Training continued and the Senior Coast Guard Officer Vietnam presided as a graduation ceremony in Cat Lai for twelve Vietnamese explosive loading specialists in which graduation certificates were provided and a lavish buffet prepared by the wives and girl friends of the graduates. In early February 1973, the final retrograde was backloaded thus effectively ending the role of the Coast Guard Port Security and Waterways Detail. -->> STAY TUNED FOR PART THREE COAST GUARD in SEA/VIETNAM <<-- NAM VET Newsletter Page 44 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ================================================================= I n - T o u c h ================================================================= In-Touch. What is it ??? Input by: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau NAM VETs IN-TOUCH Section Editor Herndon Byte eXchange - Herndon, VA (703) 471-8010 ================================================================= |+++++++++++++++++++++++++ IN TOUCH ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++| | There are some 43 million people in the United States whose | | lives were directly and irrevocably touched by the Vietnam | | War. | | | | Almost four million people served in Vietnam -- the longest, | | and perhaps most difficult, war in our history. More than a | | quarter of a million were seriously wounded. 58,175 are dead | | or missing. | | | | Each of those who returned recognizes the true cost of war. | | But so too do the families and friends, wives and lovers of | | those listed on the Wall. They too paid a tremendous price, | | not always recognized... many still do. | | | | Though twenty years have passed, it seems that is the period | | people have needed to get the distance necessary to begin to | | address the unresolved, deeply personal issues that have | | been haunting them since the war. Perhaps that is a measure | | of the pain. | | | | But, the "healing of a nation" that was intended by the | | building of the Memorial, has begun. | | | | In the office of the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans | | Memorial, we hear them on the other end of the phone on | | any given day, and far into the night, they call from all | | corners of the country. | | | | "If only I could find out..." | | "I need to find his family so I can keep my promise..." | | "I just want to talk to someone who was with him... " | | "Please, can you help...?" | | | | At the Wall, we find them every day. Veterans who have not | | spoken of their experiences even to their most intimate | | family members are now beginning, tentatively, to seek a | | responsive ear. | | | | Brothers and sisters, parents and even wives who were simply | | never allowed full expression of their grief because of the | | fierce pressures of the time, are now coming forward, | | looking for someone who can help with their healing. | | | | We hear from children, now 15 - 25 years old, who are | | searching for bits and pieces of information they can | | assemble to help fill that empty place in their lives that | NAM VET Newsletter Page 45 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 | is the father they never knew well, if at all. And they want | | to talk to each other, to share their special needs and the | | unique experience of growing up with a father on the Wall. | | They understand each other all too well. | | | | Millions of Americans need to meet and talk because of the | | Wall, and only the Friends can help them. | | | | Initial discussions with many other national organizations | | whose work brings them into contact with Vietnam veterans | | and their loved ones have attested to the need for IN TOUCH | | and their willingness to help. | | | | Simply put, the Friends will draw on its special work at the | | Memorial, its acquired and available data bases and | | programs designed and integrated by Electronic Data Systems | | (EDS), and the commitment and concern of its volunteers to | | place people with a common association to a name on the Wall | | to be in voluntary communication with each other. | | | | From there, we will let human nature take its good course. | | And let the healing begin. | | | | The starting point for the data base will be the more than | | twenty thousand names of people who have requested name | | rubbings from our volunteers in Washington. Each will be | | contacted and given the opportunity to participate by being | | listed in the IN TOUCH central data base file. | | | | Confidentiality is the keyword to cooperation and IN TOUCH | | will respect the integrity of all lists and records. Lists | | will be unavailable for public use and will not be | | distributed for any commercial purpose. | | | | By its nature, IN TOUCH must reach far beyond the veterans | | community in order to be successful. With professional | | guidance, the Friends will develop a program of on-going | | articles and other coverage in major media markets, high- | | lighting the personal experiences of people as they are put | | "in touch." The International Vietnam Veterans Echo | | Conference via the Herndon Byte eXchange 1:109/316 node as | | the enter point for gathering and disseminating information | | will be used. Aside from bringing the program into public | | awareness, these articles and stories will serve as a val- | | uable tool for public education on a wealth of matters | | relating to the Vietnam era. | | | | As a preliminary test of the IN TOUCH project, the Friends | | has implemented a pilot project to test the design and | | demands of such a program. Several hundred requests with | | full background information have been entered into a system | | designed to match requestor data with the existing Memorial | | data. Even with such a small sample, limited data and a | | fairly unsophisticated cross-indexing system, matches have | | been made and IN TOUCH has produced its first real | | connections. The results have been as profoundly moving for | | the participants as expected. And as gratifying for the | | Friends. | | | NAM VET Newsletter Page 46 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 | But it was clear that the information management system and | | the supporting hardware system would have to be more power- | | ful and more complex in order to handle thousands, perhaps | | hundreds of thousands, of requests. Confidentiality of the | | system and information must be paramount. | | | | With well over 2,000 Vietnam veterans, Electronic Data | | Systems (EDS) became involved and has been generous in its | | assistance with designing the data management systems which | | will be critical to a successful program. The Friends have | | reached a three-year working agreement with EDS which | | promises continuity and maximum potential for success in | | building an information bank that can truly help people in | | their search for others who knew a loved one. | | | | The Friends are delighted that Bob Hope has agreed to make | | a public service announcement which we can use on radio and | | television to help get the word out to the public on the | | availability of the service. | | | | The Friends are also pleased to note that Hewlett Packard, | | Zenith Data Systems, Borland International, FASTCOMM | | Communications Corporation and the First National Bank of | | Chicago have all contributed computer equipment, computer | | software, and office equipment to the project, so they are | | beginning to feel fully functional. | | | | The Friends hear from people who have long been living with | | the pain of loss and looking for a way to heal. For | | instance, the Friends recently received a letter from a | | woman who wrote: | | | | Dear Friends: | | For quite some time I have been searching for a | | way to know my brother. It seems hopeless at times. | | I was 12 when he was killed... I had waited for the | | day he would come back to us. He never did. A part | | of me will always be 12 and continue to wait. | | Thank you for giving me hope that there may be | | a way to find him and bring him home to my heart..." | | | | + + + | | | | The Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial | | Electronic Data Systems | | Herndon Byte eXchange TCOMMnet BBS 1:109/316 | | | |+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++| NAM VET Newsletter Page 47 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 IN-TOUCH Registration/Request Form Input by: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau NAM VETs IN-TOUCH Section Editor Herndon Byte eXchange - Herndon, VA (703) 471-8010 THIS FORM REQUIRES SIGNATURE FOR CONFIDENTIALITY RELEASE PLEASE READ BELOW ------------------------------------------------------------------ I wish to be IN TOUCH with (Please circle and/or comment) Family, Friends and/or Fellow Veterans of the following: __________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ ----------- PERSON WHO DID NOT COME BACK FROM VIETNAM ------------ First Name_____________ Middle Name___________ Last Name__________ Relationship to You and/or Reason for Request (Answer as fully as possible)_____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ ================================================================== -------- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT HIM/HER - IF KNOWN --------- Rank_______ Birth Date ______________ Soc. Sec. # ________________ Tour Date of Birth _______________ Where Buried __________________ Branch of Service: AR__ NA__ AF__ MC__ CG__ RC__ CIV__ (Fill in his/her equivalent unit designations in the spaces below) Division ____________ Brigade ___________ Battalion ______________ Regiment ____________ Company ___________ Ship ___________________ Battles:__________________________________________________________ Locations:________________________________________________________ Nicknames:________________________________________________________ Hometown (while in Nam): ____________________ Home State: ________ ================================================================== ---------------------- INFORMATION ABOUT YOU --------------------- Title___ First Name ____________ Middle/Maiden Name _____________ Last Name ____________________ Address___________________________________________________________ City __________________________________ State ____ Zip: _____-____ Your Home Phone ( ) ____________ Work Phone: ( ) ____________ ---------------- IF YOU ARE A VIETNAM-ERA VETERAN ---------------- Tour date _______________________________ Rank __________________ Branch of Service: AR__ NA __ AF __ MC __ CG __ RC __ CIV __ Fill in your equivalent unit designations in the spaces below Division: __________ Brigade: ___________ Battalion: ___________ Regiment: __________ Company: ___________ Ship: ________________ Battles: _________________________________________________________ Locations: _______________________________________________________ Nicknames: _______________________________________________________ Hometown (when in VN) _______________________ Home State: ________ Comments: ________________________________________________________ NAM VET Newsletter Page 48 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT _____ I give permission to the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to release my name, address, phone number and relationship to other participants in the IN TOUCH project seeking information on the individual above (strike out phone number if you do not want it released). OR _____ I would like to have the names, addresses, and phone numbers of persons who knew my friend or relative, but prefer NOT to have my name, address, and phone number released. I hereby release the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from any and all liability that may arise from the operation of the IN TOUCH project. Signature ____________________________________ Date _____________ NOTE: Do not electronically transmit this form, instead mail to: Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial 1350 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Suite 300 Washington, DC 20036 ----------------------------------------------------------------- NAM VET Newsletter Page 49 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ================================================================= T h e N a m V e t C h a p e l ================================================================= "A RETURN TO THE KILLING FIELDS" By: Mike Harris SeaEast Exchange BBS - Kirkland, WA (206) 822-4615 Southeast Asia. How could we forget the steamy jungles, and muddy rivers? The highlands and the lowlands? The ocean spray and the unceasing cloud cover? The Vietnamese, Lao's, Thai's, and Cambodian's? Saigon, Danang, Vientiene,and Phnom Penh? The Tonkin Gulf, The Bassac, and Marble Mountain? I could go on and on with the memories. In fact, it is hard to stop. I want to include everyone that served. Even those stationed in Europe, Japan and other parts of the world during the Viet Nam Era. I wish Viet Nam vet included all of us instead of insinuating just those who served in-country Viet Nam. World War II vets are all called "World War II" vets. Not so in Viet Nam. It has caused a lot of guilt in those who served outside of the Viet Nam. Many feel that they didn't do their all. I want to take a moment to thank ALL of you who served during that turbulent era. Our days were long and we gave it our all! WELCOME HOME! For years I had wanted to return to Southeast Asia. I grieved as I watched Saigon fall and the "Boat People" die at sea. For years I just wanted to forget but couldn't. We had left many allies behind in the hands of the enemy. 58,000 of our own had died and another 300,000 had been wounded. We all felt betrayed and knew that all of our POW/MIA's had not come home. On top of all of it all, it seemed our own nation didn't want to hear about it. We tried to tell them but they wouldn't listen. One day I cut up my medals, ribbons, and citations in front of my father as a desperate attempt to show him that our government had done wrong in Viet Nam. It worked! He listened more intently after that. As the years go by we learn a little more about what went on in Southeast Asia. Books like, "Kiss the Boy's Goodbye" begin to verify our feelings. So much is done in the name of National Security. Who knows when the corruption started? Any time you allow organizations within the government to make their own rules, then you are looking for trouble. It has been going on for decades now and continues. General's and Colonel's had trouble getting quality maps when they prepared for the incursion into Laos and Cambodia. Later we were to find out that Nixon and Kissinger secretly bombed these countries of their own volition. When the maps were finally viewed, it was a tremendous shock to our military leaders. Many areas were totally devastated. If B-52 missions ran into trouble over North Viet Nam, they would drop their load of 500 lb'ers on the "Trail". Other missions were diverted to Laos and Cambodia without the knowledge of the crews. Fake coordinates would lead them to these areas where they would drop their loads thinking that they were over Viet Nam. This story is about one of those areas. This month I stood and witnessed the evidence. Having been on river boats in the Mekong Delta during the war, I had seen what a 500 lb bomb could do to one of our boats. I had never seen what one could do to the earth though. I was to see not one or two, but many craters during my short stay in eastern Laos. Let me tell you how I ended up there. NAM VET Newsletter Page 50 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Presently I am Operation's Officer for a large vets to vets outreach called Point Man International(PMI). It is an organization that reaches out to veterans in general. Our primary focus is upon Viet Nam and Viet Nam era veterans and their families. I began by leading an Outpost in Coos Bay, Oregon and eventually moved to Woodinville, Wa. to go on staff. One day while talking to Chuck Dean, PMI's Executive Director, I told him that I was going back to Viet Nam with another organization if I was accepted. He asked me to check with our Point Man in Thailand first to see if we could set up our own team's to Asia. I did so and it all seemed to fall in place. In Dec. 89 I was in Bangkok with Bob awaiting the arrival of PMI's first Tactical Team. Bob had begun World Aid, Inc. and was waiting for approval to journey into Laos to talk to officials about Medical Relief. The opportunity arose and I was able to go in with him. We traveled around to Regional & District hospitals as well as village clinics. All of us were shocked at the conditions. They had very little medicines and their medical equipment was antiquated. Most of the equipment that worked had no film, paper, or whatever. We talked to an Ophthalmologist that was snapping two-edged razor blades in half to use for eye surgery. It was truly sad! I didn't recall Viet Nam having such horrible conditions. Of children 12 and under, 50% are dying of preventable diseases. Malaria, upper respiratory infection, and diarrhea are taking their toll. We knew we could make a difference! After signing a contract, Bob was authorized to work in Savannakhet Province in central Laos. His plan was to utilize many teams from different sectors to meet the needs. Point Man was authorized to field medical and labor teams. I became excited about the potential, immediately putting a team together upon my arrival home. That first team just returned from an 18 day journey into Thailand and Laos. Let me share with you what we saw and did. Medicines were a priority and still are. We began gathering what we could along with tools. Since this was a sort of pioneer project, we had to learn as we went along. A foundation is being laid and we already have a commitment to ship over the first 40' container medicines and medical supplies. The trick is, we have to fill it. Donations are coming in and we feel that it will be shipped soon. So this team had to hand carry everything to Bangkok, Thailand, then up to Mukdahan and across the river into Laos where Bob was waiting for us. After the 20 hr. flight and 12 hr. bus ride, we still had a 5 hr. truck ride over rough road to reach Sepone (Xepon or Tchepone), our ultimate destination. Most of our truck ride was in the evening, so when we got our first glimpse of the surrounding highlands, it was quite a surprise. The early morning smoke from the villages seemed like fog clinging to the ridges. Familiar smells permeated our senses. Adults and children stood around quietly watching us strangers. As I pulled the first few balloons out of my pocket, things changed. The kids were courteous as they waited for theirs. It was the beginning of a wonderful reception by the "little people". I am 5'6". In Viet Nam I remember very seldom seeing a Vietnamese taller than I. It was no different in Laos. I saw a couple taller than I am during our stay. It felt good to be the minority. It was nice to be amongst the indigenous again! It is their land. We were there just to help. NAM VET Newsletter Page 51 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 It is not a prerequisite to be a veteran to participate on our teams. Nor is it a prerequisite to be a Christian. Our goal is to make a difference. The potential is great if ones heart is right. We do not go over to discuss politics and the past. We go over to build friendships and look to the future. We are there for the long term, not to make a quick showing. Five American missionaries helped us on the projects. All of them are based in Thailand. This team was made up of several former soldiers. We had a 4th inf. Platoon leader, an RTO with the 1st Cav., a Surgical Nurse, two S.F. Team Leaders, a Huey door gunner, a Navy Corpsman with the Marines, a River Rat, and two civilian types. It was obvious from the start that the Lao's suffer medically. The hospital in Sepone is a place to go to die. The average life span is only about 42 years. Way over 50% of the newborns die in a few weeks from infections. Malaria is rampant as well as scabies and other diseases. Gum disease may prevent the extraction of one tooth because the rest may fall out. Their spicy diets lead to ulcers and other various intestinal problems. Parasites have their way with the people due to bad water and poor hygiene. Yet they are a humble people. Willing to trust us with their care. World Aid's initial goal is to improve the conditions of the District Hospitals in Sepone and Savannakhet and to begin a medical outreach to many villages in eastern Laos. Point Man's team was able to aid in putting a huge dent in this goal. Three of the Thai missionaries had worked in the Savannakhet hospital remodeling the Children's Intensive Care Unit for a few days before we arrived. I had seen its conditions in Jan. 91. Several young children were on the verge of death. A group had donated a large air compressor to supply oxygen but there were no parts to hook it up. This time it was functioning. Plywood had been applied to the walls and painted for sanitary reasons. New windows and screening were being installed. The floor was being prepared for tile. I was amazed that it was the same room! Before we left for home, it would be completed. The Lao government installed an air conditioner to put the "icing on the cake". I credit those three men,and the locals who helped, for a job well done! Out in Sepone we split up into a work team and a medical team. Three of us began painting the inside of a wing of the hospital while the medical personal began visiting villages. Sepone has no electricity so a generator is run each evening for about 3 hours. Getting to bed early, we would arise about 6:30 to begin our day by heating water on our portable burner for coffee and cocoa. Laos is beautiful during the morning hours. Women and children are packing water from the many ponds to beat the sun. Roosters crow and dogs bark as the countryside awakens from another night of slumber. It became a formality to drive down to the local restaurant for a couple of eggs over-easy with Vietnamese french bread and "ovaltine", a kind of sweet cocoa drink. As we'd try to adjust the legs of our chairs on the dirt floor, kids would gather at the doorways of the grass hootch. They never begged, but we would give them our excess. Then each team would head their separate ways. As part of the work team, I can attest that we tired of painting after 7 days. In that time frame we had painted the entire interior of a wing of the hospital. The gratification outweighed the weariness though. All day the children would sing and play with us, pointing out the NAM VET Newsletter Page 52 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 spots we would miss. Of course we missed many on purpose. They taught us words in Lao as we taught them some in English. Thank God for water base paint! I had imagined cleaning up each evening with paint thinner. It sure made things simpler. The first evening the medical team bounced back to the quarters with lots of stories. They had been welcomed openly by the people and had accomplished a lot. As the days progressed, they traveled farther away from Sepone and became more weary. No one lost interest though. The new stories were always fresh. Each new village would greet them with a ceremony of "thanks" and a traditional meal. Sometimes they would eat 5 times a day. Since the people were so poor, the quality of the meals were low by our standards. But they continued to eat out of respect and loved it. Our work team met them in a village one day. It was quite a treat! We taught the kids all of our little tricks and passed out balloons. Many had never seen a balloon. The adults seemed just as interested. When the meal was prepared, we sat down on mats in the center of the village and ate in friendship. The main dish was a kind of chicken soup that was very spicy. One of the vets labeled it "Claymore Chicken" because it appeared they had chopped up the chicken, bones and all, and served it. Sticky Rice always helped us. We could eat freely to supplement the soup. I was impressed with the candid sincerity of the people. Only the elders ate with us while the rest watched. As I ate, I thought of the medical team doing so 5 times a day. We then watched the team in action. Working off of the tailgate of a pickup, medicines were administered, shots were given, and infections were dealt with. I held heads while the dentist pulled teeth. Many volunteered to be worked on. Everyone gawked. It was an awesome sight! In our short stay, 500 - 600 patients were treated. A vaccination program was started amongst pregnant mothers. Local doctors and nurses participated in order to become familiar with the villages and medical practices. Before we left, villagers were already walking for miles to get to the hospital for treatment. This had not happened in years. We had begun to make a difference. The morning we left the local government and village chiefs had prepared a "going away" ceremony. As we approached the building, we could hear Elton John singing from an old cassette they had. The room was full of bright flowers and bright faces. Food was spread all over the mats on the floor. Joy was in the room. Smiles crossed language barriers. Our interpreter shared with us the feelings of the District Chief and Mayor. Bob shared our feelings with the people. Then they each embraced us personally with their thanks. It was a touching moment. I had to keep my eye jammed into the camcorder in an attempt to hide my tears. They would not be completely hidden. I saw tears in old mens eyes that perhaps had not been there in a long time. We bonded in friendship and they invited us back. We assured them that we would return. In his short speech, Bob said, "We did not know how you would receive us as American's..." The entire room exploded in laughter! It was their way of telling us that they knew that we were there with a different mission this time. A mission of hope. A mission based on the future. I am returning with another team from Point Man on Feb. 18. We will do primarily the same functions and return home on Mar. 7th. Then we have two teams planned to run consecutively in Nov. and NAM VET Newsletter Page 53 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Dec. of this year. It is a bright beginning. We would like to expand to teams of Doctors and other medical professionals to teach their people. Teams to concentrate on midwifery, dental, and other areas. But there will always be room for common laborers. One goal in presenting this article to you is to enlist your assistance. You may not have the desire to go, but you can help by giving us leads on where to attain medical supplies or you may know of individuals who may be willing to go. Word of mouth has always been an excellent way of getting things accomplished. How about it? Would you like to help us make a difference? If so, why not contact me at the following address and I can certainly get you more information and answer your questions. I have applications, itineraries, general information sheets, etc. available. Thank you for taking the time to read this article. I hope it has touched your heart! Words and pictures cannot explain the joy in my heart. I sure would like to hear your responses. Point Man International Attn: Mike Harris P.O. Box 440 Mountlake Terrace, Wa. 98043 (206) 486-5383 (10pm-4:30 am Pac. time) You can also sign up for our "Free" REVEILLE newspaper by just sending your address to the above address. Ask for our list of available books, tapes, and literature. Chuck Dean, Point Man's Executive Director, has written a book titled, "NamVet: Making Peace with Your Past". If you are interested, please send a check for $10 to cover the book and postage. We are not in the business of selling books. Our purpose is to help our fellow veteran Brothers and Sisters! Until Next Time, MIKE NAM VET Newsletter Page 54 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 I I IIIII I I 88888 ITTTI o88888888 I I o888888888888o 8888 I I 888888888888888888888888 I I 88888888888888888 8888 888 xI Ix 8888888888888888 88888888 T III T 88888888888888 888888 88 I III I 8888888888888888 88888888 xI III Ix 888 888 88888888888' T I I T 88888888 I I I I 8888 xI IIIII Ix TI IT II II II II The Quiet Place IT | TI II --|-- II XIII | IIIX oooo o II I I II o88 888) (888) II I IIII I II o88 88888888 8888) XII I II II I IIX (88 8 88 888888) XIII III III IIIX (8 8 8 88 88 88 8 888) XIIII I I IIIIX (88 8 8 8 88888888) II II I xIIIIIx I II II ( 8 88 888 88888) II I T T T I II (8888 88 8 8 8888888) II I I I I I II (8 88888 888 88 88) II I I I I I II (8888)888 88888) II I I II II I II (8) (I8I8I) 8 oo8888888o II I I I I I II IIIII X 8888888 888BII I I I I I IIXX III X XX 88 88 88 BII I TIIIIIT I IIXXX III XXXXX 888888 88BII I .... I IIXXXXXX III XXgXXX 888 888888888XXXXXII ... IIXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXjXX II .. IIXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXpX The Vietnam Veteran XII IIXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXX has relatives in the III IIIXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX Old and New Testaments III IIIXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX who also experienced loss II IIXXXXXXXXX XXX and grief, guilt and shame, II IIXXXXXXXXX XX rejection and betrayal, I IXXXXXXXXX alienation and estrangement, I IXXXX XX isolation and withdrawal. II IIXXXX II IIX Adam and Eve tried to hide from God; II II Moses, born Hebrew and raised Egyptian IIII IIII searched long and hard for his real self; II II Job, losing his children and all he owned, II II became sorely diseased; IIII III Biblical Joseph was rejected by his brothers, II II lied about and imprisoned; I Peter denied Jesus. II I "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age" Matthew 28:20 NAM VET Newsletter Page 55 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Vietnam, U.S. vets seek peace Former Viet soldier visits former foes. The Associated Press - Rochester, NY Democrat & Chronicle - 1/6/90 Input by Terry Hayes - Waterloo, NY VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 BOSTON-The soldier stood at the memorial marked with the names of Vietnam's valleys of death: Khe Sanh and Con Thien, Hue and Quang Tri, An Loc and Xuan Loc. Then Nhuyen Ngoc Hung lighted a dozen incense sticks and silently faced his fallen American foes, memorialized in the stone of the Dorchester Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Hain, Gormley, Rabinovitz, Kelly, Burt. Husbands, sons, brothers. Seventy-eight of them. "I said to those men who have died during the war, 'Please lay in peace. The war is over now and I've come a long way for reconciliation.'" Hung, a North Vietnamese combat veteran, had come half way around the world for ceremonies such as this one, and to drink beer and feast on lasagna and meatballs with his former war adversaries. Fifteen years after its end in 1975, American veterans of the Vietnam War are shaking hands with the nameless, faceless foes like Hung whom they fought in the jungles of Southeast Asia. Although they fought on different sides, they share the bond of duty to country and the events of history that brought them together. And they hope the healing of wounds among the warriors themselves will nudge the U.S. government into diplomatic recognition of its former enemy, financial aid and the lifting of a trade embargo that is strangling Vietnam's economy. As a new generation of U.S. combat forces maintains its war readiness in the explosive Middle East, many of the young men of Vietnam are standing down from a war that has seems hauntingly unreal. Many are going back to Vietnam in their middle years, sentimental and mellowed by time, and needing to retrace the old battlefields that brought them of age. They gather to share the pain of war and to heal its stings with understanding. And they go with their arms outstretched with hammers to build and medicine to heal instead of rifles to kill. "There comes a time for healing and I think this is the time," said Mary Stout, a combat nurse during the war who revisited Vietnam two years ago. "I think the people who start it have to be the veterans." Hoping to win diplomatic recognition, the Vietnamese government allowed Hung, a 42-year-old English teacher who earns $10 a month, to tour 11 U.S. cities last in November and December. While scores of Americans have been back to Vietnam in recent years to help that country's disabled veterans, Hung was the first Vietnam combat veteran to visit the United States. "I think Mr. Hung was here at the auspices of the Vietnamese government to try to begin to take steps toward reconciliation with our country," said Stout, president of the 40,000 member Vietnam Veterans of America in Washington, who met with him. While the VVA does not yet fully support diplomatic relations with Vietnam, it has encouraged the beginning of steps toward that goal with the establishment of a small diplomatic office in Vietnam. NAM VET Newsletter Page 56 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Hung said the United States was not what he expected. "I have learned a lot here," he said. "It changed some of the images about America and the American people. In the past we thought that American soldiers were professionals. They were trained to kill and they would kill like in the My Lai massacre." "I see they are just like me," Hung said. "They suffered enormously because of the killing, so we are just human beings, the victims of the war." NAM VET Newsletter Page 57 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ================================================================= D o n ' t A b a n d o n ' e m ================================================================= Writing Our Incarcerated Veterans By Joyce Flory NamVet's Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 Hi. Here's hoping that you and yours had a bunch of Happy Holidays. I've got a few new addresses to be written to: Alexander M. Marathon 79-D-0127 B-2-7 Ron Chamberlain 81-C-0459 C-17-41 Giacomo A. Frascone 89-A-3512 A-6-22 William L. Hargrove 83-A-4292 D-8-18 Andrews S. Tenny 81-B-2137 E-10-19 PO Box 618-135 135 State St. Auburn, New York 13024-9000 Johnny Chadwick 110520 Holman Unit Holman 37 Atmore, Ala. 36503-0037 Johnny would love to put more names on my list, but is in a one man to a cell jail that doesn't allow contact with the other inmates. On a bit of a happier note, I thought you'd all like to hear how my "card campaign" has fared so far. Of the 81 cards I sent out, I have received a whopping 45 replies (four being in today's mail 12-24-90). These have been in the form of notes, letters, and/or cards. Some ask how I got their names, some just say "Thanks for caring", some pour their hearts out to me, some just signed. For the past three weeks, I've been typing my poor fingers to the bone, trying to answer each and every reply. Only 5 behind at the present time. My point being, again, how about YOU take the time to just write ONE incarcerated Vietnam Vet ?? All it runs you is a bit of time, a piece of paper, an envelope, some ink, and 25 cents. You'll never know what it may mean to the Vet to get your note or letter. What's this I'm hearing (GRIN)?? You're not sure how to start a letter to a "stranger" ??? It's easy. Just tell the Vet a bit about yourself, background, family, Nam experience, whatever you feel comfortable telling them and just ask them "What's new with you and how's about tellin' me a bit about you?" See, that's not so hard, is it?? Some of you may have seen bits and pieces of this next part in the echo as part of a response to Clay, but I'm reiterating it here, in hopes of showing you how I'm treated by the Vets I write to and their reactions to me. While I was answering Clay, all I could see was, "My gosh, I'm writing my update in the echo!". " Again, thank you. As I said, anything I can find to help, get word to or from the incarcerated, I will. What started out as a "silly" question to Gjoe has bloomed into many friendships, without EVER laying an eye on that person, or hearing the sound of their voice. To one guy, I'm the mom with four kids that makes his NAM VET Newsletter Page 58 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 day with a letter, to another I'm the gal that sends the newsletter on disc so the prison can keep up on the latest news and updates on programs (and sometimes see stuff from their newsletters reprinted), to another guy, I'm a "shameless flirt" (grin) that he can ( harmlessly) flirt back to as his family wants NOTHING to do with him (he's got 3 daughters that he doesn't know where they are, sad to say). C> Hey gal, if it makes you happy, and helps build up some C> moral in our brothers who have found their way into things C> they had little control over. Then you're doing right! It makes me VERY happy to be able to bring a bit of sunshine to these guys. Had someone say at one time that these guys were prone to be asking for money, etc. Not the case with 99% of the guys I write to. As a matter of fact, I've had a couple of them offer to send me money to cover the postage, disc costs, and stationary!!! C> Only, in a prison with a concerned warden, would they be C> aware of someone giving their name out, for something, C> even as worthwhile as what you're doing. It's a damned C> shame, but that's the way it is. I got the addresses mostly from an outdated National Incarcerated Veterans Network Directory that is mostly associated with the VVA, among other Vet groups." On yet another note, you will find part two of the study and in- help program that is being carried on at Muskegon Correctional Facility. I am in contact with Ron Triplett and will bring to the newsletter any word I can on how successful the program is. As always, if there's an avenue I'm missing somewhere to get word to or from our incarcerated, please contact me through the echo, Netmail to 305/105, or at 1825 Evelyn Las Cruces, NM 88001. -- Joyce NAM VET Newsletter Page 59 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Operation Self-Help Background/Referral Checklist Input by Joyce Flory NamVet's Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (505) 523-2811 [Joyce's Note: Here's the second installment of Operation Self- Help from Muskegon, MI. Part one was in last month's NamVet.) OPERATION SELF-HELP Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Background and Referral Checklist Name: ___________________________________ Date: ________________ No. :______________________ Lock: _____________________ [ ] I am a Vietnam In-country or Era Veteran (Active Duty from 8-05-64 to 5-07-75 ) Branch of Service: [ ] Army [ ] Airforce [ ] Navy [ ] Marine [ ] Other_________________ Date of Service: _______________ To________________ Type of Discharge: _________________________ SECTION I. I served in Vietnam from the month of __________, 19___ to the month of __________, 19___. I served with the following organizations, or units: ______________________________________ I had the following duties during this time____________________ _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ Please check any military experience which you think contributed to your present problems: [ ] Armed combat or enemy action [ ] Captured [ ] Bombed, shelled or tripped bobby- trap [ ] Ambushed [ ] Shipwrecked, airplane or other accident [ ] Friend died [ ] Grave registration duty [ ] Lone survivor [ ] Other action that threatened my life [ ] Other SECTION II. If you are a Vietnam Veteran, Vietnam has affected your life, that much is certain. The first step in putting Vietnam to rest is to consider what those effects are. This form is a way of doing just that. Consider each item HONESTLY. Put a check in the appropriate box that most correctly measures your symptom level. [0] None [1] Seldom [2] Moderate [3] Frequently [0] [1] [2] [3] Psychic or emotional numbing or anesthesia [0] [1] [2] [3] Depression: feeling of helplessness, apathy, dejection, withdrawal, isolation [0] [1] [2] [3] Anger/rage, hostility (feel like a walking time bomb) [0] [1] [2] [3] Anxiety and specific fears associated with combat experience NAM VET Newsletter Page 60 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 [0] [1] [2] [3] Tendency to react under stress with survival tactics [0] [1] [2] [3] Sleep disturbances and recurring nightmares of combat [0] [1] [2] [3] Loss of interest in work and other activities, fatigue and lethargy [0] [1] [2] [3] Hyper-alertness; startles easily, irritable [0] [1] [2] [3] Avoidance of activities that arouse memories of trauma in the war zone [0] [1] [2] [3] Suicidal feelings and thoughts; self-destructive [0] [1] [2] [3] Survival guilt [0] [1] [2] [3] Reluctance to discipline children because you fear your emotions might make you irrational resulting in the injury of the child [0] [1] [2] [3] Cynicism and mistrust of the government and authority [0] [1] [2] [3] Alienation; feeling estranged like an outsider [0] [1] [2] [3] Concern with humanistic values overlaid with self-image [0] [1] [2] [3] Negative self-image; low self-esteem [0] [1] [2] [3] Memory impairment especially during time of stress [0] [1] [2] [3] Hyper-sensitivity about equality, justice and fairness [0] [1] [2] [3] Taking out rage on walls or objects [0] [1] [2] [3] Getting into fights for physical release of mental tension or stress [0] [1] [2] [3] Desire to sit against a wall rather than in the middle of the room [0] [1] [2] [3] Problems in establishing or maintaining intimate relationships [0] [1] [2] [3] Tendency to have difficulty with authoritative figures (challenging/testing authority) [0] [1] [2] [3] Emotional distance from children and concern about anger alienating children, wife and others [0] [1] [2] [3] Inability to talk about war experiences and personal emotions [0] [1] [2] [3] Fears of loss of others, losing control or wanting to secretly return to Vietnam [0] [1] [2] [3] Tendency to explode in fits of rage and anger; especially when disinhibited by drugs or alcohol [0] [1] [2] [3] You have few personal friends [0] [1] [2] [3] Isolates families emotionally, some geographically [0] [1] [2] [3] Believes no one can understand, and no one would listen if he tried to talk about his experiences [0] [1] [2] [3] Isolates himself from his partner, family, and others with a "leave me alone" attitude --- he needs no one [0] [1] [2] [3] Heavy use of alcohol or drugs [0] [1] [2] [3] Alcohol or drugs that are used primarily to numb the "pain", the "memory", the guilt [0] [1] [2] [3] Uncomfortable when people walk close behind them, or sit behind them [0] [1] [2] [3] Self-inflicted injuries to "feel" pain --- many accidents with power tools [0] [1] [2] [3] Financial suicide. As soon as things are well off, doing something to lose it all, or walk away from it [0] [1] [2] [3] Quiet, masked rage which is frightening to the veteran and to those around him NAM VET Newsletter Page 61 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 [0] [1] [2] [3] Unexplainable, inappropriate anger [0] [1] [2] [3] Constant fear of "losing control", I may never stop "crying....." [0] [1] [2] [3] Flashbacks triggered by everyday experiences: helicopters, the smell of urine, the smell of diesel fuel, the smell mold, the smell of Asian food cooking, green tree lines, popcorn popping, rainy days and refugees, rice, smell of antiseptics, blood, .... death [0] [1] [2] [3] Conditioned suspicion, he trusts no one [0] [1] [2] [3] Survivor's guilt --- when others died around them ask, "how is it that I survived when others more worthy than I did not?" (Pertains especially to medical personnel) [0] [1] [2] [3] Avoidance of activities that arouse memories of traumas in war zone [0] [1] [2] [3] Cynicism and distrust of government and authority [0] [1] [2] [3] Unable to hold a steady job OPERATION SELF- HELP PTSD QUESTIONNAIRE "COMING HOME" SECTION III. The questions on this Questionnaire may be difficult for you to have to think about or answer. However, these are the kinds of Vietnam and other life experiences that you MUST look at closely if you are to overcome and understand your symptoms of PTSD. Try and answer all of these questions as HONESTLY and ACCURATE as possible. 1. It's all over. You made it through one of the most terrifying and worst periods of your life. What was going through your mind as that airplane lifted off the runway and you were finally leaving Vietnam? 2. What were your feelings as you approached your final destination and you were finally back in the US? 3. What were your expectations as to how you would be received by family, friends and community on your return? 4. How would you describe your condition upon returning? Physically- Mentally- Emotionally- 5. How were you treated when you came home by other military personnel? 6. What do remember about your first contacts with civilians? 7. How were you received by family and friends, and what do you remember as being significant about those meetings? 8. Prior to coming home, what were your plans regarding occupational goals, educational goals, family plans, etc.? 9. What things became obstacles in carrying out these plans? NAM VET Newsletter Page 62 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 10. What were the first problems that your remember experiencing upon returning home? That is, relating to your first recollection when you felt different, or that you didn't fit anymore, or began using excessive amounts of alcohol or other drugs? 11. Describe your feelings when you realized that your expectations regarding your reception, your family, your goals, and your own feelings, were much different than you had anticipated. What was your reaction to this realization and how did it effect you from then til now? 12. What are the things about "homecoming" you recall as being most significant? OPERATION SELF-HELP "THE LAW" SECTION IV. RULE 1. CONFIDENTIALITY - Due to the personal and emotional nature of the material that could be uncovered, any disclosures that might be made by a participating group member, are strictly confidential and are not to be revealed to any non-participant. To protect a group members right to confidentially, any member who shall violate this rule will be removed from the group. RULE 2. CONFIDENTIALITY - No record or disclosure of your participation in this group will be available to any Staff member of the Department of Corrections or Administrative Agency, such as the Parole Board etc., without your specific authorization. RULE 3. CONFIDENTIALITY - The Peer Counselor will ensure that all personal information and any other material collected, is held in the strict confidence except in situations of threat of bodily harm to self or others, or threat of significant property damage. The Peer Counselor Coordinator is responsible for informing all participating inmates of the limits to confidentiality. RULE 4. SCREENING - A screening evaluation procedure, including psychological testing and interview, will be used to assess presence and degree of PTSD and motivation for Awareness of Self-Help participation. Evaluation procedures will include the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory, and the Operation Self-Help Post- Traumatic Stress Disorder Background and Referral Checklist. As part of the screening procedure, participants will be required to provide proof of military service (Form DD 214) to the Peer Counselor Coordinator. RULE 5. LITIGATION - Operation Self-Help is not intended to be used for diagnostic purposes, other than is necessary to determine appropriateness of including an individual to participate. The group will not be used for diagnosis of PTSD for sentenced inmates preparing litigation, or as a mitigating circumstance for criminal offenses or sentences NAM VET Newsletter Page 63 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 rendered. RULE 6. CONDUCT - Inmates participating in this group will be expected to follow ALL Rules regulating conduct in the Department of Corrections OPERATION SELF-HELP is an essential component of the Self-Help improvement process, encouraging development of a group identity and providing an area for maintaining information about PTSD, Substance Abuse and Veterans' Issues. Any other conduct by a group member is strictly prohibited. OPERATION Self-Help is a Self-Help Program designed to effectively improve upon the symptoms that are directly related to PTSD and Substance Abuse among Incarcerated Vietnam Veterans. This program was created for Vietnam Veterans by Vietnam Veterans and should not be interpreted as to be receiving a professional diagnosis or professional treatment. This program falls under the direction and guidelines established for Inmate Self-Help Programs by the Michigan Department of Corrections. Ronald G. Triplett Thomas W. Siemoneit #132615 #179536 Peer Counselor Coordinator Peer Counselor Co-Coordinator VVA Chapter #31 VVA Chapter #31 2400 South Sheridan Road 2400 South Sheridan Road Muskegon, MI 49442 Muskegon, MI 49442 Danny D. McKay #147064 Peer Counselor Co-Coordinator VVA Chapter #31 2400 South Sheridan Road Muskegon, MI 49442 NAM VET Newsletter Page 64 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX \ \ \ \ \XXXX XXXXX XXXXX.::::::::::::::.XXXXX INCARCERATED XXXX XXXXX XXXXX --------- XXXXX \ \ \ \ \ \ \XXXX XXXXX .XXXXX W W I I XXXXX. VETERANS \ \XXXX XXXXX ::XXXXX --------- XXXXX::. \ \ \ \ XXXX XXXXX :::XXXXX ------------- XXXXX:::. XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX K O R E A XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX ------------- XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX ------------- XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX V I E T N A M XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX ------------- XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX::::::::::::::::XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX::::::::::::::::XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX::' `::XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX:: ::XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX `..........''`XXXXX:::: XXXX XXXXX ::::XXXXX .:(O) . (O):. XXXXX:::' XXXX XXXXX ::' XXXXX .. XXXXX:: XXXX XXXXX .:' XXXXX . .. XXXXX: XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX . .. ` XXXXX XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX ' '.. ` XXXXX. XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX" ' ` XXXXX . XXXX XXXXX ``. XXXXX ' . . . ` XXXXX '. ........., XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX'' ..''.'''. XXXXX .' '.XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX" ':.:'' XXXXX .'' .:::'XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX:.. .:XXXXX.'' .::::' .XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX '.. ..:' XXXXX ..:' . .:::'XXXX XXXXX ....::'XXXXX ':::::;' XXXXX .:''. .:::' XXXX XXXXX .:::::' XXXXX .: XXXXX :'. ..:... XXXX XXXXX.::' :: XXXXX: PREPARED TO XXXXX .'' ''.. XXXX XXXXX::' :: XXXXX`: FIGHT XXXXX.' '.XXXX XXXXX' :: XXXXX ``. XXXXX XXXX XXXXX '' XXXXX PREPARED TO XXXXX XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX DIE ...'XXXXX XXXX XXXXX :: XXXXX `...' XXXXX XXXX XXXXX `..' XXXXX .' XXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX /\ .' .' XXXX XXXXX /\ \ . . XXXX XXXXX / \ \...' `. .' XXXX XXXXX / NOT PREPARED TO BE DESERTED XXXX XXXXX / .'.' . .`.' XXXX XXXXX / ~ | : : : . XXXX XXXXX / |`. : : . .__________ XXXX XXXXX / ~ ~ ||.` ` : || \ / XXXX XXXXX / WRITE OR VISIT AN INCARCERATED VETERAN SOON ! XXXX XXXXX / ~ || . .'. / / XXXX XXXXX/ ~ ~ ~|| ||/ / XXXX XXXXX ~ ~ ~ || || / XXXX XXXXX || || / XXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX XXXXX \_________XXXXX________|| XgjpX XXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXXX XXXX NAM VET Newsletter Page 65 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 List of Incarcerated Veteran PenPals Input by: Joyce Flory NamVet's Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM (305) Whitmarsh Bailey #56715 Chris S.Crespin #45523 Dennis E.Prentis #43497 Jerry Baack #57098 PO Box R Buena Vista,Colo 81211 Thomas Adams (don't write unless single female I'm told ) Dwight L.Lyons Donald E. Head EG 172282 RCI Box 98409 Columbus,Ga 31907 George Herbert (not a Namvet,but good people) Ron Gohn T2-rm 273 Lance Koren now at PO Box 1069 Concord, Mass. 01472 Arthur Coy Richard Ortiz Tyrone Smith Kevin M Pennell Robert Thompson Leslie Gomes now at PO Box 565 Billeria, Mass. 01821 Frank Komnenus PO Box 466 Gardner,Ma 01440 Billy Borkman #125740 (O-221)(not seeking penpal but will answer) Van Burton #108483 (A-120) M Davenport #155165 (N-321) M Donati #150219 (D-71) Joe Grace #136189 (B-108) M Glennon #140901 (O-101) (non-vet that likes to write) J Heidinger #102513 (O-421) Charles Ladison #138228 (O-330) G Magno #112810 (N-418) William Merriman #131789 (A-66) L Rainsford #126380 (B-108) Abdul Shah #101250 (O-417) Gerald Stovall Jr. #98899 (O-328) R Sutton #141041 (O-317) PO Box 488 Burkeville,Va. 23922 Jamal R Rashid #110781 D-2 Joseph Huggins #99433 D-6 Preston Parker #118311 D-5 William Moran #131271 D-2 Le'roi Mason #104969 D-5 David Bailey #153526 D-2 Oliver Mayfield #106330 HA-2 John Harris #133342 HA Robert Hall #148001 HA James Moody #160399 D-4 NAM VET Newsletter Page 66 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 William Simmons #106399 D-4 Charlie Sherman #128403 D-6 Carlton Heflin #170297 D-5 Matthew Sanders #166545 D-4 Micheal Kay #136567 D-5 David Swink #157682 D-6 Gordon Cawthron #135734 D-6 Curtis Wright #125330 HA Roger Baxter #157594 D-2 Thomas Hawley #139294 D-1 Luther C Beasley #110375 D-2 James River Corr. Ctr. State Farm,Va. 23160 George W. Burd AJ2110 Vernon E. Miller Sr. AJ1004 Darryl Houseman AJ1063 Drawer A Old Route 22 Cresson,Penn. 16630-0010 David M. McCook (DA-118) EF 183542 Jack T. Ruthledge C.I. PO Box 8409 Columbus,Ga. 31907 Willi Henderson-Bey 128457 Richard Sheff 180946 Tony Slusarski 131661 Ronald Kramer 181007 Ronald Triplett 132615 Teddy Stephens 182636 Danny McKay 147064 Edwin Zimmerman 184779 Boyd Blair 156418 William Letzgus 187075 Herschel Davis 163765 David Oates 190210 Thomas Siemoneit 179536 David Prieto 193367 Leonard Pikaart 179858 Wendell Neview 196387 David Martin 180065 Teddy McCray 200255 James Wilson 180186 Tim Shagen 203886 2400 South Sheridan Rd. Muskegon,MI. 49442 A. David Baez #57020 Box 100 Somers,Conn. 06071 Harold Mize 863934 Cory Naples 901359 Westville Correctional Center P.O.Box 473 Westville,Ind. 46391-0473 NAM VET Newsletter Page 67 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Jeff Weil 28242 Cecil Williams 23818 James McGee 31489 Earl Grissom 27536 Roy Fudge 29966 Eddie Sanchez 26895 George McIntyre 25124 Eddie Romero 22115 Eugene Perry 29647 Brook De Nault 29594 Harold Weaver 17624 Harry Lilly 29894 Claude Theriault 11872 Dan Richmond 15601 Ken Jezierski 30790 James Raines 31445 John Doane 14686 Robert Turner 30473 James Bishop 31347 Brain Hern 14535 Nevada State Prison PO Box 607 Carson City,Nevada 89702 Sam Howard 18329 Pete Huertas 15239 Jake Reynolds 21763 Paul Stadtlander 23389 Ely State Prison PO Box 1989 Ely,Nevada 89301 Johnny Chadwick 110520 Holman Unit 5-U-5 Holman 37 Atmore,Ala. 36503-0037 Alexander Micheal Marathon 79-D-0127 B-2-7 Ron Chamberlain 81-C-0459 C-17-41 Giacomo A. Frascone 89-A-3512 A-6-22 William L. Hargrove 83-A4292 D-8-18 Andrews S. Tenny 81-B-2137 E-10-19 PO Box 618-135 135 State St. Auburn,New York 13024-9000 NAM VET Newsletter Page 68 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ================================================================= H e a r t s n ' M i n d s ================================================================= Christmas in 'Nam By Rod Fewster in the Vietnam_Vets International Echo The Edge of Reality BBS - Brisbane, Qld, Australia 61-7-886-1886 Lightly Edited by Gjoseph Peck - NamVet's Managing Editor No incoming in this echo for a coupla weeks, so I dunno if this will make it through to ya. It's just something I wrote in another life .... I guess you'll know where I was coming from. Merry Christmas, mate. --Rod-- ---------------------------------------------------------------- Christmas Morning. Viet Nam. Dust and heat and sweat. Quietest day you've seen for years. Except maybe for Tet. The camp is new. The grunts are green. You ghost in without being seen. You scope it out. It don't look right. No sentries anywhere in sight. You grab the Loot. You bend his ear. He tells you "Man, you're safe up here." "Light up a joint and drift away." "The Gooks won't hit us Christmas Day." You say the camp's wide open. No-one noticed when you came. He says "You bloody mercenaries are all the f*ckin same." "Vietnamese are civilized. We've got us a Cease-Fire." Then someone yells "We're being hit! Gooks in the f*ckin wire!" The grunts are mostly cherryboys. They haven't got a clue. Thank Christ you came with fifteen Nungs who know just what to do. Ten minutes and it's over and the gooks are on their knees. You and the Nungs load up with mags and didi for the trees. You track the blood-trail all the way. A harmless-looking ville. You hit the bastards hard and fast. The ones who run, you kill. The ville's damn near deserted. Hardly anyone around. Fire in the hole. An ammo dump. Rips fifty yards of ground. One of your faithful Nungs goes down. A bullet through his arm. If that's the way they want to play we'll waste the f*ckin farm. You pop the hooches one by one 'til you run right out of frags. Last hooch. A girl. Three Buddhist monks. A baby-san in rags. Three wise men. Mom. A new-born child. God help you if you're wrong. It can't be true. No f*ckin way. They're f*ckin Viet Cong. They watch you without moving with a calmness born of Zen. A voice inside your head says "Peace on Earth. Goodwill to men." You lower your gun. The baby smiles. You turn and walk away. Remembering another kid wrapped in rags, born on this very day. NAM VET Newsletter Page 69 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Combat Stress--The Forgotten Warrior By: Major Craig Roberts 2812 S. Hudson Pl. - Tulsa, OK 74114 VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 Twenty-two year-old Lieutenant Robert Lawrence led his platoon up the gully toward the objective. Ahead, below the crestline of the hill that faced them, the enemy waited. Machinegun fire poured down and ricocheted off the rocks surrounding the gully. The mission of Lawrence's platoon was to silence the guns. Another platoon on Lawrence's flank opened fire toward the hilltop, giving the young lieutenants men a chance to leave the gully and maneuver closer to the enemy. Lawrence stood up. His machinegunner began firing his weapon from the hip and two rocket gunners launched their missiles at the enemy. The projectiles arced forward, leaving trails of smoke behind as they found their mark. The night was dark. Only silhouettes could be seen. Sounds of boots scraping on rocks marked the movement of men, and muzzle flashes briefly lit their faces. More bullets struck around the attackers, pinging off rocks, again forcing them down. Each man struggled forward under the burden of his combat load. Weapons, ammunition and pack that weighed more than a hundred pounds pressed each man to earth. The uphill climb would be tough enough without the equipment; with it, it was nearly impossible. But once at the top, they would need the equipment to survive. Survive. In each man's mind, the word burned brightly. The mission was important to the unit, but survival was more important to each individual soldier. There were always more objectives. One had to survive each one. "Come on, boys!" Robert yelled as he stood and threw a grenade. The platoon scrambled forward on line, firing their weapons and dodging between the rocks and strings of bright red tracers. Within minutes, the platoon was in the enemy positions. The struggle was furious but brief. Prisoners were taken and the platoon settled in for the night. Day dawned bright and Lawrence scanned the surrounding terrain. There would be another mission assigned soon, but for now he mentally removed the war from his mind and tried to enjoy the view. He was still alive. He had survived his first real battle. The enemy sniper saw the movement on the mountain. He slowly brought his telescopic sight to his eye and settled the crosshairs on his target. Taking the slack out of the trigger, he held his breath. A great blow struck Lieutenant Lawrence in the back of his head, driving him down. Sky. Clouds. The sound of the wind. The crackle of radio transmissions. Voices. The sound of a helicopter. Vietnam 1968? No, the year was 1982 and the place was the Falkland islands. On June 14th of that year, Lieutenant Robert Lawrence led a platoon of the Scots Guards up a place called Tumbledown Mountain. The enemy were not Viet Cong guerrillas or North Vietnamese regulars. They were Argentinean Naval Infantry. They were well trained and disciplined troops who fought on the same terms as the British, some even trained by the British. They carried the same weapons and used the same tactics. Could the British forces, who were sent to war with brass bands NAM VET Newsletter Page 70 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 and hearty farewells -- and returned with a hero's welcome -- suffer the readjustment problems our Vietnam vets encountered? Many claim they do. Russian soldiers who returned home from Afghanistan claim many of the same bitter feelings and social rehabilitation problems associated with PTSD -- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder -- that other veterans of recent wars have identified with. Unlike the Falkland's, Afghanistan was a war similar to Vietnam. It was a confrontation between a conventional army and a guerilla force. It was a war of shadows and uncertainty. Like Vietnam, many of the soldiers became rapidly disillusioned as to their purpose and impact on the situation. Afghanistan also became a trial of survival for the individual. Warfare, by its very nature, changes the mental outlook of each person who lives through it. It ages people beyond their years. They return as different people. The Falklands, Afghanistan, Central America, and Vietnam have all been an influence on those who participated in life on the razor's edge of death. Almost everyone knows a Vietnam veteran. They are neighbors, friends, relatives, husbands, wives and children. Hollywood portrays them in stereotype as misfits, psychos, time bombs waiting to go off, and potential suicide victims. With movies like The Deer Hunter, Apocalypse Now, and Platoon, it is no wonder the media sensationalizes any incident that occurs when a Vietnam veteran is involved. How many times have we heard: "Yeah, that guy is kinda messed up. He was in Vietnam, you know." If your neighbor was in Vietnam, are you afraid he is going to have a "flashback" at some unforeseeable time and begin shooting up the neighborhood? First, let's clarify what a Vietnam Veteran really is, and then narrow down exactly who might be a candidate to actual combat stress related problems. There is a distinction between the people who served in the Vietnam years between 1964-1973: those who served in the armed forces during that time frame, and those who served in Southeast Asia. More than 8.5 million men and women served in the U.S. armed forces during the Vietnam era. Out of that, 2.8 million served in Southeast Asia. But only about one million actually "saw" combat. Of that last figure, there is a drastic difference between the supply sergeant or finance clerk who served in a rear area and witnessed sporadic rocket or mortar attacks from the safety of bunkers, and the infantrymen in the field who participated in endless patrols, sweeps, search-and-clear missions and ambushes. The fact that a man served in Vietnam does not necessarily mean that he is a candidate for PTSD. Even many of the men who served in the "field" adjusted quite normally to civilian life after their return. And for those who did have readjustment problems, it was not always the horrors of combat that effected them most. It was a kaleidoscope of events that transpired upon and after their return that built the bitterness, depression and self-imposed isolation in those sensitive to their surroundings. The rapid transportation capabilities provided by jet airplanes brought men and women out of the high intensity of a combat situation to the quiet peacefulness of home in a matter of hours. NAM VET Newsletter Page 71 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 There was little time to "wind down" or readjust to the change of cultures. The change was a shock. One night found the soldier in a war zone marked with death and destruction, tracers and flares marking the night sky and the sound of artillery being fired overhead, and the next found him stepping off an airplane in California with the only sound being that of cars on a freeway. Now he was home. But did he accomplish what he was sent to do? Did he finish the job? Those of us who grew up in the 1950's and early sixties, developed our attitudes and expectations on our experiences of childhood. Movies depicting John Wayne gallantly taking Mount Suribachi in The Sands Of Iwo Jima, shooting down zeros in Flying Leathernecks; watching Victory at Sea and other World War II documentaries; seeing B-17s return from the flak-filled skies of Germany in 12 o'clock High, Gary Cooper winning the hearts and minds of Tennesseans in Sergeant York, and many other patriotic depictions of the war that Dad or Grandfather fought, developed our characters and perceptions of idealism. The same Hollywood that built our patriotic mentalities later turned on us like a rabid dog. When our fathers and grandfathers came home victorious from "their" war, the bands played, the parades marched and the signs said "Welcome Home, Johnny". When the Vietnam veterans came home, the signs said: "Baby Killer", "Hooch Burner" and "War Monger". They were spit on and protested against--by their peers and the media alike. Terms like "depraved fiends" and "psychopathic killers" inundated the airwaves and headlines in coverage of demonstrations seen by all on the 6 o'clock news. Where was the welcome? The war did not end when the vet left Vietnam. The very nature of guerrilla warfare was a shock to the sane young Americans sent into an insane situation. Headless women suspended in trees by their heels in the middle of a village as an "example" left by the "Peoples Liberation Front", poisoned bamboo stakes known as "punji stakes" -- designed to wound any victim who struck one, man-trap pits large enough to swallow a jeep, mines and booby-traps that proliferated the entire country, and an enemy who wore no uniform and blended into the population -- giving no sense of a safe area to the soldier -- greeted the young idealists and shaped their attitudes. Never before had American fighting men and women been thrust into a situation like this. Though never "declared", Vietnam was a war. The young Americans -- the average age was nineteen--adjusted. They became hardened. They beheld sights that their non-veteran peers would never believe--or understand. They fought, and fought well. They did the job they were sent to do. Incidents such as My Lai were the exception and not the rule. Most units participated in civilian pacification programs and assisted the Vietnamese people with medical aid, harvesting crops and securing their villages against Viet Cong reprisals. The American news media seldom showed this aspect. It was simply not "sensational" enough. The three main elements to a "good" news story during the war was "Blood, Bullets and Bandages". Without these things, the story was dead. Vietnam was brought to every American family in color right in their own living rooms. The blood, the fear, the bravery and the horror of combat, and the slanted coverage by the reporters, was an everyday affair -- for ten years! In the Falkland Islands campaign, the conflict was extremely NAM VET Newsletter Page 72 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 short. Less than a month after the British forces sailed from England, the battle was over. The media was effectively restrained and censored -- after Britain's observation of the American media's treatment of Vietnam -- and the soldiers returned as heroes. Yet, today there is bitterness on the part of the veterans of the "South Atlantic Campaign". Many feel that their "welcome" was short and then forgotten. Wounded veterans feel that they were shuffled off to obscure military hospitals and "hidden" from the public. Others feel that their friends died in vain for a few pieces of worthless rock. In all, the recognition that their fathers received for their part in World War II was not realized by the men of the Falklands Force upon their return to Britain. Could this also be Post Traumatic Stress Disorder? When the British landed in the Falkland Islands, they landed as intact regiments. Each man had trained with his friends and knew them as equals. There was pride in regiment and pride in tradition. There was esprit de corps. The campaign lasted a few short weeks and was over. The regiments returned together -- less the occupation troops. In the early days of Vietnam, the American divisions landed in total just like the British. They had trained together, worked together and played together. Each man knew who to trust and who could be depended upon. As the war progressed and the draft began sending replacements, the system broke down. Now a situation developed that would devastate the morale of the American soldier for the remainder of the conflict. Cliques and groups developed. A pecking order was established. The "new guys" or "boots" didn't fit in. They hadn't earned the right. Instead of a team with each man depending on the other, it now became a matter of individual survival. The term "DEROS" -- Date of Expected Return from Overseas--became the supreme factor in each man's mind. If he could just survive until his "rotation date", his war would be over. The regimental system had broken down. The Esprit de Corps was gone. Instead of "God, Country and Cause", the survival motivators changed to other things important to the individual. His girl friend, his car, his life before the war, pleasurable events such as "cruising the strip" and drinking beer with his friends, became the things that he would live for. All the values that he had grown up with had disappeared. The combat soldiers became confused. Nothing made sense. They felt cheated, lied to, and taken advantage of. They didn't trust politicians, leaders, or any other authority figure. After their return, some withdrew into themselves. They couldn't talk about what they had gone through. They felt most people didn't want to know--and those that did would not understand. They could only find solace in talking with other veterans. Others who had "been there". Only they could understand and identify. Was Vietnam unique in having it's own traumatic mental condition? Not really. Policemen have encountered a type of Post Traumatic Stress for years. The blood and gore of a serious traffic accident, the horror of a violent killing or suicide, the witnessing of death soon after a violent crime, and most of all, the officer's participation in the killing of a suspect in the line of duty, all can lead to the same mental anguish experienced by combat NAM VET Newsletter Page 73 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 veterans. Only recently have police departments recognized this condition. Many have established assistance programs and psychological services for their employees. One did not have to spend a year in combat to have the memories and experiences that would effect the human mind in the manner discussed. The experience might only take a few seconds. The memory might last a life time. At an early age we learn that it is wrong to kill another human being. But when we send our youth off to war, we justify it. In Vietnam, we did not kill people. We killed "dinks", "slopes", "gooks" and "Charlies". That was different. They were not real people. In wars of the past, we killed "the enemy". It was a matter of survival for an entire country, and the defense of freedom. Everyone got involved. Civilians participated in defense plants, food rationing, gas rationing, and war bond drives. Everybody had relatives in the service, and all supported them. There were no Jane Fonda's in World War I or II. During Vietnam, the only indication of war on the home front was in the newspapers, television coverage or casualty lists. The link between home and battlefield was almost nonexistent. In combat, a soldier justifies his actions. It is a mental defense mechanism. The same man who stacked up a "body count" in Vietnam may not go hunting today with his friends. "That poor little deer didn't do anything to me. He doesn't carry an AK-47!" Mentally, this mind-set can be construed to be somewhat of an apology. "I killed before because I had to. I don't have to do it now, and I won't." Once again, life becomes sacred, and the man redeems himself with his current actions. But the memories linger. Even though "time heals all wounds", as the saying goes, some memories refuse to fade away. Few combat veterans are apologetic for their actions overseas. For them, there is nothing to justify. They did what they were sent to do -- for whatever motivation. For others -- a small minority--Vietnam is a "cop-out". They blame all the problems in life on Vietnam. Each of these people would have to be investigated individually to determine if they really did suffer from PTSD. Under scrutiny, one often finds that the "victim" saw little if any combat, killed no one, was not wounded, and really can't pin down what the problem is. In actual fact, he is a loser now and was a loser before the war. Vietnam only provides a convenient excuse for his shortcomings. Hollywood and the media focuses in on this type of individual for their stereotype. It makes news. It stirs emotions. It sells newspapers and commercials. The "Vietnam Vet" in faded field jacket and combat boots, beard and long hair, spouting bitter rhetoric and carrying a chip on his shoulder, is now in his forties. For twenty years, he was a tool used to make money. Now, we are beginning to see him less and less. The truth is slowly beginning to surface. Like the "silent majority" of civilians before them, the "silent majority" of Vietnam combat veterans are beginning to surface as something quite different from the media stereotype. Typically, he or she is in their late thirties or early forties, has a family, owns their own home, has college and earned varying degrees, and covers the spectrum of jobs from construction workers to lawyers, plumbers to politicians, owners of businesses NAM VET Newsletter Page 74 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 to doctors. The same companies that refused to hire Vietnam veterans after the war often are now run by them. This is not to say that many of the people that fit into this category do not have some symptoms of PTSD. Many do. How could anyone spend a year of their life in combat and not have memories that will stay with them the rest of their lives? In World War I, the soldiers who fought in the trenches of France encountered "shell shock". In World War II, it was "battle fatigue". The human mind has various levels of tolerance in relation to trauma and stress. Some people handle it better than others. Policemen who spend years on the job become "hardened" to the things they see that are inherent to their line of work. Firefighters do the same, as do ambulance attendants, doctors and nurses. These people, however, are working in a chosen field. Many of the soldiers who served in combat were not. Of the interviews and research I have conducted, the actual cases of PTSD that were readily apparent were primarily draftees who were sent to Vietnam as a replacement -- an individual, not a member of a unit, and not a volunteer. Their mental structure was not "self-prepared" for the scenario that would unfold. Another huge factor in the mental attitude of the Vietnam-era veterans is the media's contention that we "lost the war" in Vietnam. This leaves a bitter feeling that they fought for nothing, their friends died for nothing, and the whole thing was a lost cause from the beginning. Nothing could be less true. We did not lose a war. War, as the media loves to remind us, was never declared. Therefore it was not a "war" in the traditional sense of the word. How could one lose a war that did not exist? In fact, American forces -- along with their allies -- did everything that they set out to do. North Vietnam was only too happy to go to the peace table in Paris and sign the peace accords -- recognizing the right of South Vietnam to govern itself as a country and delineating the DMZ as a border. The last American combat troops left in 1973. Over a year later, the North broke the Accords and invaded the south. One must ask himself: "what is the time limit before one is no longer responsible for a country?" If we "lost" Vietnam, we also lost World War II and World War I. Today, we neither govern nor control either Germany or Japan. This not withstanding, the media has not -- or will not -- recognize this fact. This omnipresent attitude still infects the thinking of those who served in Southeast Asia. It is a bitter suggestion of constantly -- albeit latently -- being accused of failure. When Carter gave a blanket pardon to the draft evaders who fled to Canada, insult was added to injury. It was not acceptable to fight for your country but it was acceptable to run away and avoid duty. It was also perfectly acceptable to give aid and comfort to the enemy by visiting Hanoi and sympathizing with the North Vietnamese, while American P.O.W.s languished in solitary confinement a few blocks away. All of these things have shaped the mental attitude of the people who now often find themselves in the driver's seat of this country's corporations, communities and governments. Tumbledown, the story of Robert Lawrence, has recently aired on the BBC in Britain. It has become a matter of great debate. Lieutenant Lawrence was evacuated to England and placed in a NAM VET Newsletter Page 75 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 military hospital. He suffered brain damage due to trauma from the high-velocity bullet that struck his head. He has since regained enough use of his body to drive a car. The "South Atlantic Fund" gave him almost a quarter of a million dollars. Her majesty's government pays him a pension of almost $23,000.00 a year. Yet he feels that this is not enough for his sacrifice. Other men who served in the South Atlantic feel the same way about their situations. In comparison to the disability pensions paid to Vietnam veterans, the British soldiers come out far ahead. Obviously, the money is not what the combat veteran looks for. The reward is simple recognition by his fellow man -- and his country. Perhaps the British have identified the missing answer to the question. A very complex question -- a very simple answer. NAM VET Newsletter Page 76 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 VC are Experts at the 'Sick War" By: Tom Tiede in the 9/65 Stars & Stripes Input by: Gordon Giroux Berkshire Estates BBS - Pittsfield, MA (413) 499-1327 Da Nang, Vietnam - The Marines called her the soda water girl. Each afternoon she was there peddling cold drinks to the soldiers near her village. She'd giggle and blush and steer her way into a group saying,"You buy? You buy?" About nine years old, they figured. and such a cute kid. One hot day, as eight thirsty men clustered about, the child tossed her rich tresses and began to finger something tied to her waist. It was a homemade bomb. She purposely blew herself up. And six Americans went with her. They die daily like that here. In jungles. In bars. And in vain. It is a cruel death, without chance to defend and without dignity. A bottle of Coca Cola may contain acid. Fresh fruits may be injected with snake venom. Ice from drinks may be filled with slivers of glass. A babe in arms may be roped up with TNT. The men call it "sick war." Sadistic. Sneaky. but effective. Not long ago, a Marine walking on a footpath near here was cut down by the steel jaws of a giant bear-trap. It was two feet wide, the teeth were three inches long. Four companions were unable to open the rusted and rancid pincers. Another time a trooper was shot in the stomach by a common rat trap. A thin trip wire was the trigger and the snapping of the spring struck the head of a .30-caliber shell aimed hip high. No one is safe. No time is safe. Even the cautious can die. And they do. An infantryman walking into a cave in the central highlands was feeling his footsteps, wary of the variety of dirt traps the Viet Cong plant. Suddenly, something from above lashed at his cheek. Something else lashed at his shoulder. a third something at his neck. He had walked into a curtain of snakes tied, like sinister stalactites, from the caves ceiling. hungry, angry, frustrated, they bit the soldier furiously. Bamboo kraits, they call them. deadly poisonous. Yet, What's a man to do? Had the snake victim explored only the roof of the cave, the possibility is that he may have been skewered by the snapping of a "Malaysian Gate"--razor sharp bamboo stakes fastened to a bent branch which whips out savagely at the tugging of a trip wire. Or he may have stepped on any one of a hundred designs of spike traps. The "Crows Foot", for example; a four-pronged affair which no matter how placed, has one jagged stiletto sticking straight up. Other stakes and nails are buried and covered with unspeakable poison. One particularly nasty breed is designed to spread when it enters the foot and tear bone and flesh apart. then there is a wide variety of bullet mines. Ingenious devices which when stepped on will push a cartridge onto the point of a nail and explode. And to be sure there are the dugout traps... Small holes in the earth with punji stakes or larger holes with spears. A man who NAM VET Newsletter Page 77 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 fell into a six foot deep "Tiger Trap" here died agonizingly when impaled on a stake which entered his body at the thigh and protruded a foot above his shoulder. They spread small fish hooks, Gaffs that require major surgery to remove. They build large crossbows with eight foot arrows which, when triggered by the force of wind can knock down a helicopter. They concoct mines out of old batteries, poison out of human urine and utensils for war out of discarded U.S. scrap. They use kids as bombs, snakes as protection and rat traps as guns. It's the "SICK WAR" NAM VET Newsletter Page 78 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Clay hut builder seeks peace in 'home in a dome' By Barbara Moran in Los Angeles Times Input by: Terry Hayes VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 SAN DIEGO - It's shortly after dawn in rural eastern San Diego County. Awakened by pink streaks of sunrise, former home builder Joseph Diliberti rises from the mattress on the floor of his ceramic dome house to begin another day. He meditates, draws well water, showers from a bucked and goes out to tend his garden. On other such mornings, he might ride his bike, fish, swim, or read. What he doesn't have to do si wake to an alarm clock, balance a checkbook, wait in line to fill a gas tank, pay an electric bill, fight rush-hour traffic or endure the other daily burdens of modern civilization. He grows or gathers most of what he eats. He uses candles for light. A stone pit behind his house serves as the stove. His dome house, 20 feet in diameter and 20 feet high, is made of fired clay, straw and water; it is the color of a red clay garden pot. On the warmest days, its inner walls feel cool. A breeze passes freely through the dome, directed by a series of "wind chimneys." In the winter, a small fireplace heats the dwelling so the walls exude their own warmth. The waterproof dome offers its owner all he seeks: cover, safety, quiet and a cocoon-like environment conducive to personal metamorphosis. With his dangling dreadlocks, simple manner of dress and unadorned lifestyle, Joseph ( he discards last names) no longer relates to the successful Bronx-born home builder he was just over a decade ago. Now, the building materials that fascinate him are straw, water, silica-borax glaze and the clay beneath his feet. "Being a builder and a contractor, I got a firsthand shot at experiencing to the fullest the way 'they' construct things 'out there'" he said. "And being a traveled man, I knew there were other ways. So I was able to make a comparison." Joseph, 42, who served in Vietnam as a Marine, said that there he witnessed the annihilation of whole environments in the name of America's way of life. Coming home to construction didn't feel a lot different. "It did not feel like construction to me," he said. "It felt like destruction ...After destroying a few environments here, I could not get over feeling very, very badly about it." He gazed at the neatly swept dirt floor of his igloo. "And I realized that in the end you get a box that owns you. Isn't it a joke that we as sophisticated, thinking human beings have to spend 30 years of you lives to put a roof over our heads? No, it didn't make any sense. So I tossed it all up in the air to search for another way." His search took him around the world, through scores of books and inside himself. It took 10 years for him to find a way to build in harmony with nature. The answer was clay - indigenous red clay, straw and water - kneaded together in a hole by Joseph's feet and fashioned into bricks by his hands. Using only a bucket, scaffold board and wooden mold, he made the bricks and laid them in place one at a time to build the dome home. NAM VET Newsletter Page 79 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Then Joseph and friends fired the entire structure for 36 hours by building a huge bonfire inside the dome. The flames grew so hot they melted a stout bottle placed inside as a heat test. Steam rose from the clay, sealing the bricks and the glaze coating. When the firing was done, he had created what he terms a storm- proof, earthquake-proof, fire-proof, low-maintenance, earth- friendly housing model for the future. The house contains no internal posts because each handmade brick is edged slightly to lie snugly against the weight of the one below it. Small round glass windows - recycled bottles and chunks of broken glass - were added last. NAM VET Newsletter Page 80 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ================================================================= U n c l e S a m w a n t s Y O U t o k n o w ================================================================= "Ask the Veterans' Affairs Counselor" DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS Office of Public Affairs - News Service Washington DC 20420 (202) 233-2741 Input by: G. Joseph Peck NamVet's Managing Editor East VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 (Following are representative questions answered daily by VA counselors. Full information is available at any VA office.) Q-- I'm an honorably discharged veteran of the Vietnam era. I'd like to retire soon and buy a new home. I was entitled to VA- guaranteed home loan when I got out of the service, but I believe the time limit for this benefit has expired. Is this correct? A-- No. Presently, loan guaranty eligibility is not subject to an expiration date. Q-- If I encounter legal difficulties while purchasing a home using my VA home loan benefit, will the Department of Veterans Affairs provide or pay for any legal assistance I may need? A-- No. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not provide legal assistance or advice; nor can the Department pay for legal assistance a veteran obtains to deal with troubles encountered in the purchase or construction of a home. Q-- When a veteran is training under a VA Vocational Rehabilitation Program, does the receipt of subsistence allowance cause reduction in VA compensation payments? A-- No. The veteran may receive both subsistence allowance and disability compensation. In addition, VA will pay for the cost of tuition, books, and fees involved in the rehabilitation program. Q-- Can I get a release of liability from the VA if a non-=veteran assumes my VA-guaranteed home loan? A-- If the buyer meets with VA approval, you may be released from liability. Q-- What type of income should I report on my annual eligibility verification report to continue my VA pension benefits? A-- Income from all sources must be reported. VA will determine what sources and amounts will be counted and the amount of income to be excluded. Q-- My ex-husband and I were married for 33 years before we were divorced in 1989. He recently passed away. Am I eligible for VA benefits as his survivor? A-- No. "Surviving spouse" means the lawful spouse of a veteran at the time of his or her death. He or she must have lived with the veteran continuously until the date of death except when there was a separation caused by the veteran without fault of the spouse. NAM VET Newsletter Page 81 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Q-- I understand the Budget Reconciliation Act recently limited compensation payments to certain incompetent veterans. What are the limitations? A-- The Budget Reconciliation Act requires that payment of compensation to a non-hospitalized incompetent veteran, with no spouse, child or dependent parent, be suspended in any case where the value of the veteran's estate (not including the veteran's home) exceeds $25,000 until the value of the estate is reduced to less than $10,000. The Act further provides for payment of the total amount of compensation that had been withheld, should the veteran subsequently be rated competent for 90 days. This provision will be effective through September 30, 1992. Q-- My father, a World War II veteran, was recently buried in a national cemetery. As the next of kin, I would like to receive the "Presidential Memorial Certificate" for his service to his country. Where can I apply for the certificate? A-- Notice of a veteran's death is normally received in one of VA's regional offices and that facility identifies the next of kin (widow, widower, oldest child, parent, or oldest sibling) from the veteran's records and requests the certificates from Washington, D.C. Next of kin need not apply. Others should apply to a VA regional office. Q-- Is it true that husbands of female veterans are eligible for the same Department of Veterans Affairs benefits as wives and widows of male veterans? A-- Yes. A husband or widower has the same status as a wife or widow of a male veteran and is eligible to receive the same benefits if otherwise entitled. Q-- I applied for a VA-guaranteed home loan. I was advised it could not be processed until I paid an outstanding debt for education benefits. Is that true? A-- Yes. It is VA policy to reconcile all outstanding debts to the U.S. Government prior to approving a home loan application. Q-- I live in a rural area and cannot visit a VA office for benefit information. What can I do? A-- All VA regional offices have toll-free telephone service for benefit information. Information can also be obtained by mail. Check your local telephone directory for the office nearest you. Q-- Will my VA insurance dividends be affected if I get a loan on the policy? A-- No. Earned dividends are not affected by a loan on the policy. However, you may use your dividends to reduce the balance of your loan. For more information on this and other dividend options, please call 1-800-422-8079. Q-- With national cemetery offices closed on weekends, how can I schedule a burial for the following week? A-- To accommodate families when deaths occur late in the week or on weekends and holidays, interment services for the next week NAM VET Newsletter Page 82 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 may be scheduled through a telephone referral service. Anyone calling a local national cemetery will be referred by answering machine to one of three large cemeteries that are staffed over the weekend: Calverton, N.Y.; Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, Mo.; or Riverside, Calif. A cemetery representative on duty will verify eligibility, then schedule burial at the local cemetery. Q-- My wife is buried in a national cemetery that is now closed. We always planned to be buried together. What can I do? A-- Even a "closed" national cemetery will be able to accommodate the burial of the spouse of someone already buried in the cemetery. "Closed" means lack of space prevents the cemetery from accepting full casketed burials of those without a spouse already buried in the cemetery. Most "closed" national cemeteries can also accommodate burial or inurnment of cremated remains otherwise entitled. NAM VET Newsletter Page 83 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 No COLA ... Yet! Surprise Last-Minute Opposition Defeats Compensation Increase Submitted by: Sonny Montgomery House Veterans Affairs Committee - Washington, DC Input by: Todd C. Looney Vietnam Veterans' Valhalla - San Jose, CA (408) 298-2740 WASHINGTON -- The 101st Congress adjourned over the weekend without approving a 1991 cost-of-living increase in compensation benefits paid to more than two million service-disabled veterans. The increase is expected, however, to be one of the first orders of business when the 102nd Congress convenes in January. The House had approved and sent to the Senate on October 15 a cost-of-living adjustment. The Senate was considering its own COLA bill, part of an omnibus measure with provisions affecting veterans' health care, housing, employment, education, civil relief for personnel called to active in the Persian Gulf, pay raises for VA physicians and the issue of Agent Orange. The House had approved comparable measures earlier this year and was awaiting Senate action. Recognizing that the Senate was not going to act on any of the provisions, including the compensation increase, House Veterans' Affairs Committee Chairman Sonny Montgomery and the Committee's Ranking Minority Member Bob Stump, in the waning hours of Congress, attempted to bring a "clean" 5.4 percent compensation COLA bill to the House floor for consideration. Consideration of the COLA would have required unanimous consent of the House Members present, but it was effectively killed by the verbal objections of one Congressman. The New York Congressman protested consideration of the fresh COLA bill on the grounds that it did not contain provisions calling for yet another scientific review of an Agent Orange/cancer connection and codifying actions already taken by the Secretary of Veterans' Affairs to provide compensation to certain veterans, notwithstanding the fact that the House had already sent such a bill to the Senate. Ironically, the Montgomery-Stump bill also would have extended Agent Orange veterans' entitlement to VA hospital care, and now will expire on December 31. Montgomery and Stump vowed to "come back bright and early next year" to get the COLA approved and make it retroactive to January 1. The Congressman said the House and Senate "are not far apart" on the other pending legislation, and they expect it to be considered early in the 102nd Congress. NAM VET Newsletter Page 84 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 *Vet Centers Around the U.S. V E T C E N T E R S By Ralph Roberts The Veterans Guide To Benefits Input by G. Joseph Peck NamVet's Managing Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 The VA conducts a nationwide system of Vet Centers which provide counseling service to Vietnam era veterans. Vet Centers are small community-based store-front centers that offer a broad range of services during day and evening hours. Their professional staff addresses problems and concerns of Vietnam era veterans and their families that are related to the veteran's experience while on active duty or during the military to civilian transition. Services range from social services to education or readjustment concerns. Readjustment counseling services include a general assessment to find out whether the veteran has identifiable social or psychological problems that were caused by military service during the Vietnam era. One of the most common of these problems is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). The term PTSD covers a host of symptoms associated with exposure to catas-trophic stress. Nightmares, flashbacks, anxiety and sudden-startle reactions can occur immediately after exposure to the stress of combat. Or these problems may develop years after the original stress. Symptoms of PTSD can prevent the veteran from enjoying a well-adjusted work and family life. Readjustment counseling services include individual counseling, group coun-seling, and family counseling. If the services requested are beyond the scope of the Vet Center (usually a relatively small facility), help will be furnished in finding a higher level of treatment. Usually this will be by referral to a VA Medical Center or Outpatient Clinic. Below is a list of current Vet Centers. While every effort has been made to make sure these addresses and phone numbers are correct, remember that Vet Centers are small and sometimes quickly moved when the storefront they are renting is no longer available. Check your local phone book and call to verify the present location of the one that you intend to visit. The addresses below are good as of January, 1988. ALABAMA 1425 S. 21st Street, Suite 108 110 Marine Street Birmingham, AL 35205 Mobile, AL 36604 (205) 933-0500 (205) 694-4194 ALASKA 4201 Tudor Centre Dr.#115 905 Cook Street Anchorage, AK 99508 Kenai, AK 99611 (907) 563-6966 (907) 283-5205 712 10th Avenue 1075 Check St., Suite 111 Fairbanks, AK 99701 Wasilla, AK 99687 (907) 456-4238 (907) 376-4308 ARIZONA 807 North 3rd Street 727 North Swan NAM VET Newsletter Page 85 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Phoenix, AZ 85004 Tucson, AZ 85711 (602) 261-4769 (602) 323-3271 637 Hillside Ave. #A Prescott, AZ 86301 (602) 778-3469 ARKANSAS 1311 West 2nd Street Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 378-6395 CALIFORNIA 859 South Harbor Blvd 4954 Arlington Ave., Suite A Anaheim, CA 92805 Riverside, CA 92504 (714) 776-0161 (714) 359-8967 1899 Clayton Rd. 1111 Howe Ave., Suite 390 Concord, CA 94520 Sacramento, CA 95828 (415) 680-4529 (916) 978-5477 157 E. Valley Pkwy. 2900 6th Ave Esconidido, CA 92025 San Diego, CA 92103 (619) 747-7305 (619) 294-2040 305 "V" Street 25 Van Ness Avenue Eureka, CA 95501 San Francisco, CA 94102 (707) 444-8271 (415) 431-6021 1340 Van Ness Ave. 967 West Hedding Fresno, CA 93721 San Jose, CA 95126 (209) 487-5660 (408) 249-1643 251 West 85th Place 32 W. 25th Ave., #202 Los Angeles, CA 90003 San Mateo, CA 94403 (213) 753-1391 (805) 564-2345 2000 Westwood Blvd. 1300 Santa Barbara Street Los Angeles, CA 90025 Santa Barbara, CA 93101 (213) 475-9509 (805) 564-2345 455 Reservation Road, Suite E 16126 Lassen Marina, CA 93933 Sepulveda, CA 91343 (408) 384-1660 (818) 892-9227 709 West Beverly Blvd. 313 N. Mountain Ave. Montabello, CA 90640 Upland, CA 91786 (213) 728-9966 (714) 982-0416 287-17th Street Oakland, CA 94612 (415) 763-3904 COLORADO 207 Canyon Blvd. #201 A 1820 Gilpin Street Boulder, CO 80302 Denver, CO 80218 (303) 440-7306 (303) 861-9281 411 S. Tejon, Suite G NAM VET Newsletter Page 86 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Colorado Springs, CO 80903 (303) 471-9992 CONNECTICUT 370 Market Street 16 Franklin Street, Room #106 Hartford, CT 06120 Norwich, CT 06111 (203) 244-3543 (203) 887-1755 562 Whalley Ave. New Haven, CT 06510 (203) 773-2235 DELAWARE VA Medical Center Bldg. 2 1601 Kirkwood Hwy. Wilmington, DE 19805 (302) 994-2878 DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 737 1/2 8th Street, S. E. Washington, DC 20003 (202) 745-8400 & 8402 FLORIDA 400 E. Prospect Rd. 15 W. Strong St., Suite 100C Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33334 Pensacola, FL 32501 (305) 563-2992 (904) 479-6665 255 Liberity Street 1800 Siesta Drive Jacksonville, FL 32202 Sarasota, FL 33579 (904) 791-3621 (813) 952-9406 2311 10th Ave., N. #13 235 31st Street, North Lake Worth, FL 33461 St. Petersburg, FL 33713 (305) 585-0441 (813) 327-3355 412 N.E. 39th Street 249 E. 6th Ave. Miami, FL 33137 Tallahassee, FL 32303 (305) 573-8830 & 1 & 2 (904) 681-7172 5001 S. Orange Ave. # A 1507 W. Sligh Ave. Orlando, FL 32809 Tampa, FL 33604 (305) 684-6151 (813) 228-2621 GEORGIA 922 W. Peachtree St. 8110 White Bluff Rd. Atlanta, GA 30309 Savannah, GA 31406 (404) 347-7264 (912) 927-7360 HAWAII 1370 Kapiolani Blvd. # 201 Honolulu, HI 96814 (808) 541-1764 IDAHO 103 West State Street 1975 South 5th Street Boise, ID 83702 Pocatello, ID 83201 (208) 342-3612 (208) 232-0316 NAM VET Newsletter Page 87 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ILLINOIS 547 West Roosevelt Rd. 1529 46th Ave. Chicago, IL 60607 Moline, IL 61265 (312) 829-4400/4401 (309) 786-6814 1607 W. Howard St., #200 155 South Oak Park Ave. Chicago, IL 60626 Oak Park, IL 60302 (312) 764-6595 (312) 383-3225 1600 Halsted Street 605 N.E. Monroe Chicago Heights, IL 60411 Peoria, IL 61603 (312) 754-0340 (309) 671-7300 1269 N. 89th Street 624 South 4th Street East St. Louis, IL 62203 Springfield, IL 62703 (618) 397-6602 (217) 492-4955 INDIANA 101 N. Kentucky Ave. 2236 West Ridge Rd. Evansville, IN 47711 Gary, IN 46408 (812) 425-0311 (219) 887-0048 528 West Berry Street 811 Massachusetts Ave. Fort Wayne, IN 46802 Indianapolis, IN 46204 (219) 423-9456 (317) 269-2838 IOWA 3619 6th Ave. 706 Jackson Des Moines, IA 50313 Sioux City, IA 51101 (515) 384-4929 (712) 233-3200 KANSAS 413 South Pattie Wichita, KS 67211 (316) 265-3260 KENTUCKY 1117 Limestone Rd. 736 S. 1st St. Lexington, KY 40503 Louisville, KY 40202 (606) 276-5269 (502) 589-1981 LOUISIANA 2103 Old Minden Road 1529 N. Claiborne Ave. Bossier, LA 71112 New Orleans, LA 70116 (318) 742-2733 (504) 943-8386 MAINE 96 Harlow Street 175 Lancaster Street, #213 Bangor, ME 04401 Portland, ME 04101 (207) 947-3391 & 2 (207) 780-3584 & 5 MARYLAND 777 Washington Blvd. 1015 Spring Street # 101 Baltimore, MD 21230 Silver Spring, MD 20910 (301) 559-5511 (202) 745-8441 7 Elkton Commercial Plaza Elkton, MD 21921 (301) 398-0171 NAM VET Newsletter Page 88 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 MASSACHUSETTS 800 North Main Street 181 Hillman Street, Room 110 Avon, MA 02322 New Bedford, MA 02740 (617) 580-2730 (617) 999-6920 480 Tremont Street 1985 Main Street Boston, MA 02116 Springfield, MA 01103 (617) 451-0171 & 2 (413) 737-5167 71 Washington Street 8 Worchester Street Brighton, MA 02135 West Boyston, MA 01583 (617) 782-1013 (617) 835-2709 MICHIGAN 1940 Eastern Ave. S.E. 20820 Greenfield Rd. Grand Rapids, MI 49507 Oakpark, MI 48237 (616) 243-0385 (313) 967-0040 & 1 1766 Fort Street Lincoln Park, MI 48146 (313) 381-1370 MINNESOTA 405 E. Superior Street 2480 University Ave. Duluth, MN 55802 St. Paul, MN 55114 (218) 722-8654 (612) 644-4022 MISSISSIPPI 121 W. Jackson Street 158 E. Pascagoula Street Biloxi, MS 39503 Jackson, MS 39201 (601) 435-5414 (601) 353-4912 MISSOURI 3931 Main Street 2345 Pine Street Kansas City, MO 64111-1916 St. Louis, MO 63103 (816) 753-1866 (314) 231-1260 MONTANA 415 North 33rd St. 929 S.W. Higgins Ave. Billings, MT 59101 Missoula, MT 59803 (406) 657-6071 (406) 721-4918 & 9 NEBRASKA 920 L Street 5123 Leavenworth Street Lincoln, NE 68508 Omaha, NE 68106 (402) 476-9736 (402) 553-2068 NEVADA 704 South 6th Street 1155 W. 4th St. Las Vegas, NV 89101 Reno, NV 89503 (702) 388-6368 (702) 323-1294 NEW HAMPSHIRE 103 Liberty Street Manchester, NH 03104 (603) 668-7060 & 1 NEW JERSEY NAM VET Newsletter Page 89 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 626 Newark Ave. 75 Halsey Street Jersey City, NJ 07306 Newark, NJ 07102 (201) 656-6986 (201) 622-6940 321 Central Ave. 318 East State Street Linwood, NJ 08221 Trenton, NJ 08608 (609) 927-8387 (609) 989-2260 & 1 NEW MEXICO 4603 4th Street N.W. 1996 St. Michael's Drive #5 Albuquerque, NM 87107 Santa Fe, NM 87504 (505) 345-8366 (505) 345-8366 211 West Mesa Gallup, NM 87301 (505) 722-3821 NEW YORK 875 Central Ave. 45-20 83rd St. Albany, NY 12208 Elmhurst, NY 11373 (518) 438-2508 (718) 446-8233 & 4 116 West Main Street 166 West 75th Street Babylon, NY 11702 Manhatten, NY 10023 (516) 661-3930 (212) 944-2917 & 30 226 E. Fordham Rd. #216 294 South Plymouth Ave. Bronz, NY 10458 Rochester, NY 14608 (212) 367-3500 (716) 263-5710 165 Cadman Plaza, East 210 North Townsend Street Brooklyn, NY 11201 Syracuse, NY 13203 (212) 330-2825 (313) 476-7461 351 Linwood Ave. 200 Hamilton Ave. Buffalo, NY 14209 White Plains, NY 10601 (716) 882-0505 (914) 684-0570 NORTH CAROLINA 223 S. Brevard Street 2009 Elm-Eugene Street Charlotte, NC 28202 Greensboro, NC 27406 (704) 333-6107 (919) 333-5366 4 Market Square 150 Arlington Blvd., Suite B Fayetteville, NC 28301 Greenville, NC 27834 (919) 323-4908 (919) 355-7920 NORTH DAKOTA 1322 Gateway Drive 108 Burdick Expressway Fargo, ND 58103 Minot, ND 58701 (701) 237-0942 (701) 852-0177 OHIO 2134 Lee Rd. 1054 E. Broad Street Chicago Heights, OH 44118 Columbus, OH 43205 (216) 932-8471 (614) 253-3500 31 East 12th Street, 4th Fl 519 Hunter Ave. Cincinnati, OH 45202 Dayton, OH 45404 NAM VET Newsletter Page 90 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 (513) 569-7140 (513) 461-9150 & 1 11511 Lorain Ave. Cleveland, OH 44111 (216) 671-8530 OKLAHOMA 3033 N. Walnut, suite 101W 1855 E. 15th St. Oklahoma City, OK 73105 Tulsa, OK 74104 (405) 270-5184 (918) 581-7105 OREGON 1966 Garden Ave. 2450 S.E. Belmont Eugene, OR 97403 Portland, OR 97214 (503) 687-6918 (503) 231-1586 615 N.W. 5th St. 2009 State Street Grants Pass, OR 97403 Salem, OR 97301 (503) 479-6912 (503) 362-9911 PENNSYLVANIA 1000 State St. # 1 & 2 5601 North Broad Street # 202 Erie, PA 16501 Philadelphia, PA 19141 (814) 453-7955 (215) 924-4670 1007 North Front Street 954 Penn Ave. Harrisburg, PA 17102 Pittsburgh, PA 15222 (717) 782-3954 (412) 765-1193 5000 Walnut Street 959 Wyoming Ave. McKeesport, PA 15132 Scranton, PA 18509 (412) 678-7704 (717) 344-2676 1026 Arch Street Philadelphia, PA 19107 (215) 627-0238 PUERTO RICO 52 Gonzalo Marin St. Suite LC 8A and LC9 Arecibo, PR 00612 Condomino Med. (809) 879-4510 Center Plaza La Riviera 35 Mayor Street Rio Piedras, PR 00921 Ponce, PR 00731 (809) 783-8794 (809) 840-4078 RHODE ISLAND 172 Pine Street Pawtucket, RI 02860 (401) 728-9501 SOUTH CAROLINA 1313 Elmwood Ave. 3366 Rivers Ave. Columbia, SC 29201 No. Charleston, SC 29405 (803) 765-9944 (803) 747-8387 904 Pendleton Street Greenville, SC 29601 (803) 271-2711 NAM VET Newsletter Page 91 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 SOUTH DAKOTA 610 Kansas City Street 115 North Dakota St. Rapid City, SD 57701 Sioux Falls, SD 57102 (605) 348-0077 (605) 332-0856 TENNESSEE 2 Northgate Park # 108 1515 E. Magnolia Ave. #201 Chatanooga, TN 37415 Knoxville, TN 37917 (615) 875-5114 (615) 971-5866 703 South Roan Street 1 North Third Street Johnson City, TN 37601 Memphis, TN 38103 (615) 928-8387 (901) 521-3506 TEXAS 2900 West 10th Street 4905A San Jacinto Amarilo, TX 79106 Houston, TX 77004 (806) 376-2127 (713) 522-5354 & 5376 3401 Manor Rd. #102 717 Corpus Christi Austin, TX 78723 Laredo, TX 78040 (512) 476-0607 & 8 (512) 723-4680 3134 Reid Street 3208 34th St. Corpus Christi, TX 78202 Lubbock, TX 79410 (512) 888-3101 (806) 743-7551 5415 Maple Plaza #114 1130 Pecan, Suite G Dallas, TX 75235 McAllen, TX 78501 (214) 634-7024 (512) 631-2147 2121 Wyoming Street 3401 W. Illinois, Suite 1 El Paso, TX 79903 Midland, TX 79703 (915) 542-2851 & 2 & 3 (915) 697-8222 1305 W. Magnolia, Suite B 107 Lexington Ave. Fort Worth, TX 76104 San Antonio, TX 78205 (817) 921-3733 (512) 229-4025 8100 Washington Ave., Suite 120 1916 Fredericksburg Rd. Houston, TX 77007 San Antonio, TX 78201 (713) 880-8387 (512) 229-4120 UTAH 750 N. 200 West # 105 1354 East 3300, South Provo, UT 84601 Salt Lake City, UT 84106 (801) 377-1117 (801) 584-1294 VERMONT 359 Dorset Street Gilman Office Complex, Bldg 2 South Burlington, VT 05401 White River Junction, VT 05001 (802) 862-1806 (802) 295-2908 VIRGIN ISLANDS United Shopping Plaza, Suite 4 Havensight Mall Christiansted, St Croix, VI 00820 St. Thomas, VI 00801 (809) 778-5553 (809) 774-6674 NAM VET Newsletter Page 92 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 VIRGINIA 7450 1/2 Tidewater Drive 320 Mountain Ave., S.W. Norfolk, VA 23505 Roanoke, VA 24014 (804) 587-1338 (703) 342-9726 1030 West Franklin Street 7024 Spring Garden Dr. Richmond, VA 23220 Brookfield Plaza (804) 353-8958 Springfield, VA 22150 (703) 866-0924 WASHINGTON 1322 East Pike Street 4801 Pacific Ave. Seattle, WA 98122 Tacoma, WA 98408 (206) 442-2706 (206) 473-0731 & 2 North 1611 Division St. Spokane, WA 99207 (509) 327-0274 WEST VIRGINIA 1591 Washington Street East 218 West King Street Charleston, WV 25301 Martinsburg, WV 25401 (304) 343-3825 (304) 263-6776 1014 6th Ave. 1191 Pineview Drive Huntington, WV 25701 Morgantown, WV 26505 (304) 523-8387 (304) 291-4001 & 2 WISCONSIN 147 South Butler Street 3400 Wisconsin Madison, WI 53703 Milwaukee, WI 53208 (608) 264-5342 & 3 (414) 344-5504 WYOMING 641 East Second Street 3031 Henderson Drive Casper, WY 82601 Cheyenne, WY 82001 (307) 235-8010 (307) 778-2660 NAM VET Newsletter Page 93 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ================================================================= C o n c e n t r a t e d I V V E C / N a m V e t S e r v i c e ================================================================= If Mohammed won't come to the mountain... __________ \ NamVet \ _____) Service )_____ _________(____(_________(_____(@) ) ) gjp / O O O O O O O O O/_/| /<> O O O O O O O O O/ | /MM O O O O O O O MM/ | / ___________ / . /O (___________) O O/. 20 Jan 91 (====================( January 12, 1991 provided some new directions and concentrations for our NamVet/IVVEC service department. The Board of Directors of Berkshire Veterans' Center, Inc. (a sponsor of VIETNAM_VETS, NamVet and VETLink #1) had its first national meeting at Herndon, Virginia. The "tools" of providing direct, rapid and prompt service to our nations veterans were discussed and elaborated upon. We will be seeing some new and positive changes coming about in the upcoming months. In our regular NamVet sections we try to keep the focus on issues that concern all of our veterans in a "national" scope. Here in the NamVet Service Department, usin' the Managing Editor's own experiences (talk about NIGHTMARES! as a "teaching example," we began this department by tryin' to share with you some of the many things that STILL occur today in the job market, in the housing field, in the educational and vocational rehabilitation fields. In addition to our ongoing service reported in previous months, we are now involved in helping other veterans obtain employment and, in some instances, vocational rehabilitation. Following this article are reproduced two letters regarding both issues. Lastly, for this month's articles, we're including a recent letter from our Congressman Conte informing us that the VA cannot fund the outreach and service efforts that have been underway at VETLink #1 for the past few years. EMPLOYMENT WITH THE USPO, detailed in previous issues of NamVet: The veteran was scheduled for a physical at Springfield, MA. Almost as per written script, the attending physician asked for a release of information for records from the Veterans Administration describing the veterans' disabilities, was given same, and now waits for notification as to whether or not he will be deemed employable. Since the lifting requirements for a custodian's position are that the applicant be able to lift a minimum of 70lbs and the VA repeatedly states that the veteran cannot lift more than 5-15lbs, it does not seem likely the veteran will gain employment. Re the Personal Hearing discussed in last month's service section, the veteran did appear at Boston, MA 1/2/91, met with his representative, and presented himself and his disabilities to the NAM VET Newsletter Page 94 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Veterans Administration. The veteran, keeping in mind all veterans who appear before the VA, said, in effect, "I don't know WHY, VA, you take such an adversarial role towards veterans who approach you requesting the service that was promised upon the enlistment of each. If we're (the veterans) guilty of ANYTHING, its only of being proud Americans who put their lives on-the-line to protect and preserve this country's way of life." Will keep you posted on the outcome of this. And, finally, BERKSHIRE VETERANS' CENTER, INC., begun 1/22/85 and persisting up until now, has received its federal Letter of Determination acknowledging its existence as a nonprofit, tax- exempt corporation - dedicated and committed to veterans and the issues that concern them! We'd like to thank each and every one of you that have helped us provide the service so long ago envisioned when first a veteran discovered that s/he could communicate via computer! If you or any veteran/dependent that you are in close touch with have a need for veterans' services or benefit information, please contact us at VETLink #1 BBS (413) 443-6313 ... or write: BERKSHIRE VETERANS' CENTER, INC. Post Office Box 2056 Pittsfield, MA 01202 I will keep you all apprised of any changes in any of the above situations. We're working HARD to see that ALL veterans receive what they rightfully earned when they put their lives on-the-line for America!!! Ci'ao for Ni'ao -Joe- NAM VET Newsletter Page 95 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 4 January 91 Mr. Peter Baglio, Director Veterans Administration Medical Center Tremont Avenue & S. Center East Orange, New Jersey 07019 Re: XXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX SSN XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXX XX XXXXX Dear Director Baglio: I am writing to you concerning reported difficulties of the above- mentioned XX% service-connected disabled veteran and his attempts to acquire gainful employment at your facility as a XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX. I am especially concerned when, knowing and knowledgeable of veteran benefits outlined in PL 98-77 and in the Veterans Readjustment Act of 1974, your Personnel Department chose to fill the vacant position of XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX with a civilian non-veteran already in possession of employment while veteran XXXXXXXX, unemployed much longer than the 15-week requirement (since 7 Nov 89), was apparently not considered for even a VRA appointment and/or trial period. On the surface, disabled veteran XXXXXXXX's resume and credentials appear to more than qualify him for a XXXXXXX XXXXXXXXXX's position. Is/was there some other criteria not specified in VA Regulations, that was utilized in the filling of this position which caused the special consideration given to Vietnam veterans to be overlooked in this instance? As one who is involved with veterans and their dependents on a daily and almost minute-by-minute nationwide basis, I would appreciate your every speedy involvement in the veterans' situation and your prompt reply to this proud disabled veterans unfortunate dilemma. Yours, In Service to America ... and my fellow man In kindness, honesty, and good faith /S/ G. Joseph Peck President/Service Officer Berkshire Veterans' Center, Inc. / VETLink #1 GJP/jct cc Files Mr. XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX NAM VET Newsletter Page 96 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 4 January 91 The Honorable Robert A. Roe, Member of Congress Law Building 66 Hamilton Street - Room 102 Patterson, New Jersey 07505-5152 Re: XXXXXXXXX XXXX XXXXXXXX SSN XXXXXXXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXX XXXXXXXX XX XXXXX Dear Congressman Roe: I am writing to you concerning the reported difficulties of the above-mentioned XX% service-connected disabled veteran and his attempts to a) acquire gainful employment, and/or b) become a participant in a program of VA Vocational Rehabilitation to which his degree of service-incurred disability entitles him. Unemployed since 7 Nov 89, Mr. XXXXXXXX reports that he visited your office on or about 13 Nov 90 and was assured by your aide, XXXXX XXXXXXXX, that his complaints of "a civilian rather than a disabled veteran being hired" at the East Orange VAMC would be looked into - as well as the lack of response he had received to his application for entry into a program of VA Vocational Rehabilitation. On 28 Dec 90, Mr. XXXXXXXX appeared at your office to ask for a copy of the letter sent to him by East Orange VA Director Peter Baglio. Your aide XXXXX XXXXXXXX was apparently in Washington, DC and a search of every available file and/or indexing system revealed no information to be found relative to his case. The veteran reportedly has heard nothing from the VA concerning his claim for Vocational Rehabilitation or WHY a non-veteran was hired for the position at the East Orange VAMC. As one who is involved with veterans and their dependents on a nationwide basis, I would appreciate your every speedy involvement and reply in this proud disabled veterans situation. Yours, In Service to America ... and my fellow man In kindness, honesty, and good faith /S/ G. Joseph Peck President/Service Officer Berkshire Veterans' Center, Inc. / VETLink #1 GJP/jct cc Files Mr. XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXX NAM VET Newsletter Page 97 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 VA can't help BBSs... SILVIO O. CONTE WASHINGTON ADDRESS First District, Massachusetts 2300 Rayburn Office Building Washington, DC 20515 COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS Phone: 202-225-5335 Ranking Republican Member CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES WASHINGTON, DC 20515 SUBCOMMITTEES Labor - Health and Human DISTRICT OFFICES Services - Education Federal Building Transportation 78 Center Street Arterial Pittsfield, MA 01201 LEGISLATIVE Phone: 413-442-0946 Ex Officio Member Of All Subcommittees 187 High Street Holyoke, MA 01040 COMMITTEE ON SMALL BUSINESS Phone: 413-532-7010 Subcommittee on Procurement, Innovation, and Minority Enterprises Development MIGRATORY BIRD CONSERVATION COMMISSION January 8, 1991 BOARD OF REGENTS SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION Mr. G. Joseph Peck XXX XXXX Street Pittsfield, Massachusetts 01201 Dear Mr. Peck: I would like to take this opportunity to touch base with you and update you on the latest action I have taken on your behalf regarding a federal grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs for Berkshire Veterans Center, Incorporated. I am in receipt of a response from Mr. Edward J. Derwinski, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs. He has informed me that while he feels the projects in which you are engaged may be worthwhile, the Veterans Administration does not have the statutory authority ot make grants for such projects. By federal law, Veterans Administration grants are limited to a narrow range of projects, such as those involving assistance to VA-affiliated state medical schools and other health manpower training institutions. Unfortunately, VETLink #1 does not meet these requirements. I regret that this matter did not have a more favorable outcome. Should you find yourself in need of any further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact me through my Pittsfield Office. With my best wishes and warm regards, I remain Cordially yours, /s/ NAM VET Newsletter Page 98 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Silvio O. Conte Member of Congress SOC:bjl NAM VET Newsletter Page 99 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 ================================================================= P l e a s e k e e p t h i s i n m i n d ================================================================= The Unknown Soldier By Patty O'Grady Aloot, Ph.D. Dedicated in honor of her father, Col. John O'Grady Input by G. Joseph Peck NamVet's Managing Editor VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA (413) 443-6313 I'm the unknown soldier Who you refuse to know I'm the brother and the friend You left so long ago. I'm a farmer from Missouri A soldier from St. Paul I'm my sister's hero I'm a name on the wall. I'm the unknown soldier The one you left behind I'[m the country boy from Texas Who you never tried to find. I'm someone's long-lost daddy I'm my father's pride and joy I was someone's gentle lover And someone's little boy. I'm the unknown soldier With no more tears to shed I'm the ghost of Christmas past I'm the living dead. I'm a sailor and a scholar I'm the boy who lived next door I'm the poet and the dropout You sent to fight your war. I'm the unknown soldier Who dreamed you'd rescue me I'm the man who understands Only death will set me free. How could you just forget me? Should I forget you too? You must try to bring me home For I belong to you. I'm the unknown soldier Whose cries are all in vain Would you finally come for me If you could feel my pain? My country has betrayed me But I've forgiven you NAM VET Newsletter Page 100 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 And, every night I pray to God That He'll forgive you too. I'm tired and I'm hungry I'm lonely and I'm cold I'm the unknown soldier Who's been bought and sold If you would look around you You would see my face That man standing next to you Could be here in my place. I'm the Unknown soldier The one for who you cried I'm the one that you can't face The one they told you died. We fought that war together At Mugia and Pleiku Had you been the one we left I would have come for you. I'm the unknown soldier Who longs to be free When you called I answered Now will you answer me? I want to lie down beside you I want to die in your arms I just want you to hold me And, help me to hang on. I'm the unknown soldier The one you threw away Some call me POW... Some call me MIA... It is Never Too Late to Honor A Hero NAM VET Newsletter Page 101 Volume 5, Number 1 January 21, 1991 Some Gave ALL ... Some Still Give!!! O O O SOME GAVE ALL ... ________O__________________________________O______________ ! O O ! ! 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 ! !__________________________________________________________! NAM VET Newsletter Page 102