Operation Just Cause... February 2000
Bringing heat on public officials is not going to be effective if they dont' see our numbers growing beyond the current list. We have an incredibly large membership but keep in mind the membership of one of the largest lobbies in DC is even larger than ours and they are making no ground at all. In fact, they have lost ground since 1992 due to some foolish blunders and a total lack of support from the majority of the population who believe the erosion of certain constitutional rights won't affect them. We residents and citizens have certain rights guaranteed to us in this country. We keep those rights only as long as we demand that the guarantees be honored by our elected officials. When we desist in those demands, the rights disappear and at that point, the guarantees expire. When we finally miss those rights and recognize their value again, it is too late to get them back. If we are going to retain our rights, we can't take a nap while special interests pervert them and misinterpret them without challenge. And we will not be successful if only our 1.5 million supporters are involved in the fight. We need every single member of Operation Just Cause to take part.
Continue to petition your elected officials, of course, but that is only the beginning. You must devote more time an effort to informing your friends, families, co-workers, neighbors and the world - one person at a time - of what our goals and objectives are.
Present our mission statement to the nation and the world: 1. The timely, honest and thorough investigation of all live-sighting reports; 2. The repatriation of any surviving POWMIAs (or, in the event they do not wish to return, an opportunity for the families to hear it for themselves from their loved one); 3. Recovery of ALL recoverable remains and a strong statement from our government regarding the warehousing of remains by the Vietnamese.
We are NOT asking anyone to raise the dead. We accept that many or most of those listed as missing may have died in action or in captivity. We are NOT asking anyone to recover unrecoverable remains. The remains of a pilot shot down in flames in 1968 over the South China Sea, whose wingman watched the plane sink below the surface or explode in a fireball, can reasonably be deemed unrecoverable. We DO NOT blindly accept everything that comes out of DPMO, DOD or anywhere else inside the beltway. Neither do we blindly accept every live sighting account. At the same time, we do not reject or dismiss any accounts from DOD or DPMO without researching them. We DO insist that all legitimate questions of family members be answered honestly and as fully as possible. To date, no candidate has taken a stand that will help us achieve these objectives. Make the American people aware that the problem exists and that it is real. Push the Yellow Ribbon Campaign. Bring new members on board and let's get to work harder than ever before. If this effort dies on November third, the hopes of the families of our missing will die with it. Don't let that happen. Don't let what happened to Colonel Rich Higgins and his family ever happen again. Don't let what has been happening to Diane Moore, Kimmie Thomas, Chris Rich, Karen Kirkpatrick, Amanda Kidd, the Milliners, the Lundys, and all the other POWMIA family members continue.
We need a committment and we need action in Washington now! This has nothing to do with partisan politics, the Vietnamese, the Chinese, the Russians or anyone else except the American people and our government. Time is running out.
On another note, Jay Veith as most of you should know is one of the most knowledgable and efficient researchers alive on this subject. He is searching for transcripts of several hearings and those transcripts appear to be in short supply. I have called in favors all over the country and no one seems to have copies.
If any of you have copies of the following, please let me know:
Live Sighting Investigations Hearings on Cold War, Korea, WWII POW POW/MIAs: Missing pieces of the Puzzle US Policy Toward Vietnam POW/MIA's in Indochina and Korea Examination of Operations at DIA's Special Office for POW/MIA's Prospects for Normalization of US/Vietnam relations US Economic Embargo on Vietnam Resolving the POW/MIA issue American POW/MIAs in Southeast Asia July 31, Aug 2, 1991 American POW/MIAs in Southeast Asia Toon Mission to Russia I would consider it a personal favor if anyone can help Jay out with this.
Cut/paste our mission statement (above) into a WP document and make a few copies to keep handy. We are not asking the impossible... we are asking only what is right, just and necessary. Thank you.
If you would like to participate in the creation of an Operation Just Cause Screen Saver by submitting graphics, please read the page Dennis has set up by clicking on the above link.
How many times have we received e-mails expressing those very
sentiments? "Adopting" unrepatriated POWs or those who are Missing in Action and
otherwise unaccounted for from SE Asia, putting up a webpage calling
attention to the fact that the job is not finished and writing a few
letters to your respective representatives in the House or Senate isn't
going to do it folks. It's a start, but we need more. Much more.
Right now DPMO is spitting at us. All of us. The Pentagon is spitting at
us. All of us. The White House is spitting at us. All of us. And John
McCain is, well, he's urinating on us. All of us.
For several months I have been talking about funding running out for the
JTF-FA (Joint Task Force-Full Accounting) in 2004 and I've stated that
now
is the time to act on it.
The National Alliance of Families, the ONLY family organization that
represents POW/MIAs and their families from ALL Wars, in their January
29,
2000 edition of Bits N Pieces put out a call to action. The Alliance
asked
anyone reading Bits who was willing to help to please e-mail Lynn O'Shea
and put in the subject I WANT TO HELP. The response has been dismal to
say
the least. Disappointing doesn't come close.
JTF-FA, according to the government, are the front line grunts who
"conducts operations to include, ON-SITE INVESTIGATION, ANALYSIS,
ARCHIVAL
RESEARCH, RECOVERY OF REMAINS." Without JTF, there is NONE OF THAT.
There
are no more ON SITE INVESTIGATIONS. There is no more ANALYSIS of
information. There is no more ARCHIVAL RESEARCH and there is no more
RECOVERY OF REMAINS. None. Nada. No Tango. Period. Ended.
It's 4 years away, why am I making a big deal about it?
Because they've accelorated it. January 14, 2000, DPMO's weekly update
advises that they are conducting an "Extensive Study" that "Addresses
Recovery and Accounting." Moreover, a booklet put out by DPMO entitled
"POW/MIA Accounting" states that by the end of 2004, "we will have moved
from the way the US government conducts the business of recovery and
accounting to an active program of loss-prevention, immediate rescues,
and
rapid post-hostility accounting."
By the END of 2004. Here's another newsflash. That means they start
dismantling NOW. 2000. Y2K. Hasta La Vista, Bay-bee.
The study presently underway, "Mission Area Analysis," will "analyze the
forces dedicated to personnel recovery as well as the structure of the
organizations which carry out the mission."
"It will look closely at the missions and structure and budgets of the
Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office; the US Army Central Idenfication
Laboratory-Hawaii; the US Army Casualty and Memorial Affairs Operations
Center; the Armed Forces DNA Identification Laboratory; the US Air Force
Life Sciences Equipment Laboratory; and the Joint Task Force-Full
Accounting."
"This study began in late 1999 and is scheduled for completion IN LATE
2000" (emphasis mine.)
Translation: the USG is getting out of the accounting business, the
sooner
the better.
RAPID POST-HOSTILITY ACCOUNTING. What do you think this means? This
phrase
taken from DPMO's booklet entitled "POW/MIA Accounting," dated 1999.
(page
4) Note: Contact Larry Greer of DPMO and request a copy of this booklet.
If
you think burying 8 men on 23 bone fragments and a 1/2 of tooth is
stretching it, wait till you see the USG's version of RAPID
POST-HOSTILITY
ACCOUNTING! (It should be called RABID)
The clock is ticking and there is no longer time to deal with this
tomorrow. It's upon us now. If we fail to act, or re-act, then we might
as
well go dark every day instead of just 1 Feb. because unless foreign
governments go to the USG themselves, the USG is going to be out of the
accounting business before 2004.
http://pages.prodigy.net/lynnpowmia/000129.htm you can view Bits N
Pieces
for yourselves. But whatever you do, for God's sake e-mail Lynn O'Shea
at
lynnpowmia@prodigy.net and put in the subject I WANT TO HELP.
If we are serious about dealing with an honest accounting, every one of
us
should be sending that e-mail. This is something that transcends
organizational lines; it does not matter whether you belong to OJC,
POWMIAFF, TFO or any other POW/MIA advocacy group. It doesn't matter if
you
are just one person. It's time to step up to the plate.
Do it. Now. Or be prepared for the darkness to engulf us all.
Steve Golding Founding Member Hello once agian everybody, yes that's right it's nearing balloon launch time once more.
Memorial Day Weekend is only a short 3 months away, but there is still plenty of time to
get ready for a launch in your hometown, even if you haven't done one of them yet.
We have many folks that have conducted previous launches that can't wait to do another.
That is how well the general public has recieved this public awareness project.
The staff working with the POW/MIA Balloon Launch is amazed at how quickily it has
grown across the United States. Our first year we had just 16 states participate, the second
year that number doubled!! Also last year another launch date was added to this project by
request of individuals like yourself, people who want to inform others that too many of
our brave men and women have not been accounted for and returned home to the land
that they served.
During last years 2nd Annual POW/MIA Balloon Launch members of POW/MIA
Freedom Fighters and Operation Just Cause was joined by National Service Organizations
such as Veterans of Foreign War Posts, American Legion Posts, Vietnam Veterans of
America Chapters and Ladies Auxillary Chapters. We also had participation from members
of Rolling Thunder Chapters and a launch from Canada, so you can see why the staff of this
balloon launch is excited about our 3rd Annual launch.
The last 2 Annual launches recieved excellent local media coverage. But with your help
and particapation, let's make POW/MIA Balloon Launch 2000 the launch that will get
national media coverage to remind those in Washington that our POWs and MIAs ARE
NOT FORGOTTEN!!
If you'd like to join us in this public awareness project then please visit our new web site!!:
There you will find useful information and more details about this project.
If you have held a previous launch with us and plan to continue, please email us and let
us know. I am currently working on the US map and need this information to post ASAP.
Thank you for your time and we look forward to helping you with your local launches.
David Horton This month's issue of the Operation Just Cause Newsletter will also feature an editorial section for our readers to send in who they would like to see voted in as this country's next President and why.
Special Presidents Section
The American Experience--The Presidents
Presidents in the Armed Forces
By Rudi Williams
WASHINGTON, Feb. 8, 2000 -- The U.S. Postal Service recently unveiled a
new
Vietnam Veterans Memorial commemorative postage stamp to honor
all veterans, particularly those who died in battle or are
listed as missing.
The 33-cent Vietnam Veterans Memorial stamp portrays a veteran
touching "The Wall," where more than 58,000 names of those
killed or listed as missing are inscribed on black granite. The
stamp was illustrated by Robert Rodriguez of Pasadena, Calif.,
and designed by Carl Herrman of Carlsbad, Calif.
"This stamp is for veterans everywhere. It's for the men and
women, including many of our fathers, mothers, brothers, sisters
and friends, who gave their lives to protect and serve others,"
said chief postal inspector Ken Weaver, who unveiled the stamp
at the memorial on the National Mall in Washington.
Joining Weaver at the unveiling of the stamp were U.S. Sen.
Chuck Hagel of Nebraska; Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president
of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund; and Arnold Goldstein,
superintendent of National Capital Parks-Central.
"The Vietnam Veterans Memorial has been a source of reflection
and inspiration for millions of Americans. In choosing to
commemorate this memorial, the Postal Service honors those who
sacrificed for our nation and their families," Hagel said.
Scruggs noted the new stamp is the second honoring and
commemorating the memorial. The first was unveiled in November
1984 when "The Wall" was only two years old.
"What makes this stamp a little bit different from the first one
is that people actually voted on the Internet about the most
significant events of the 1980s," Scruggs said.
"Wherever you go -- Beijing, Dublin, Berlin, Mexico City -- the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial, or 'The Wall,' is an instantly
recognizable symbol of America," he said. "That says a lot about
how important this memorial is to our culture."
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was designed by Maya Lin and
dedicated on Nov. 13, 1982, during a weeklong national salute to
Vietnam veterans.
The stamp is one of 15 commemoratives saluting the 1980s
selected by the public during nationwide balloting on the
Internet in February 1999. They are part of the Postal Service's
120-stamp "Celebrate the Century" series, which ends in May with
the issuance of 1990s commemoratives.
The other 1980s commemoratives were issued in January. Those
stamps include the top vote-getting Video Games, Fall of the
Berlin Wall, San Francisco 49ers, the movie "E.T. The Extra-
Terrestrial," Hostages Come Home, the TV comedy "The Cosby
Show," the musical "Cats," Hip-Hop Culture, Figure Skating,
Personal Computers, Compact Discs, Cable TV, Space Shuttle
Program and Cabbage Patch Kids.
The 1980s stamps and the rest of the series are on sale at post
offices, by calling 1-800-STAMP-24, or online at
www.stampsonline.com.
For more information on Celebrate the Century, visit
www.usps.com/images/stamps/ctc.htm James Richard Thomas
Kimberly N. Thomas-Bowles
Hell's Commandos
Charging' Charlie Beckwith at Bien Hoa
Al Varelas Command Center
Don't Tell Me That
Last Wish
Operation Just Cause
Political Powers
Until All The Men Are Back
Check for upcoming dates and scheduled guests. 25, 30, and 35 years ago
US Proposes Renewed Remains Recovery Talks With North Korea
Air Force Rules at 2000 Armed Forces X-C Meet
Black WAC Joined to Be What She Wanted to Be
Breast Health Awareness Information
Coast Guard's 'Dr. Master Chief' Calculates Climb to Top
Daring Rescues Snatch Pilots from Jaws of Enemy
DoD Clarifies Exemptions to Anthrax Vaccination Program
DoD Holds Sixth POW/Missing Personnel Prayer Breakfast
DoD Net Administrators Must Check for Hacker Denial of Service 'Tools'
Fisher Houses to Open in San Antonio, Honolulu, Landstuhl
From 'Shell Shock' to 'Combat Stress'
General Says Minorities Face Many Challenges in 21st Century
Good School Grades Mean Rewards in New AAFES Contest
Gulf War Fox Tapes 'Definitely' Do Not Show Positive Chemical Warfare Agents
Housing Allowance Hike Starts March 1, Retro Relief Sought
Housing Allowance Inequity Remedied
Medic Receives Long-delayed Medal of Honor
Newman's Own Posts Awards for Quality of Life Programs
Outreach To Military Communities Across the Country
Pentagon Pops' Salutes Military Heroes
People are Highest Budget Priority
Proposed Defense Budget Attacks Housing, Medical Problems
RAO Bulletin Update: CHAMPVA
RAO Bulletin Update: Medals
Report Probes Risks of Carc Paint Exposure to Gulf War Veterans
Shelton Ready to Tackle TRICARE Issues
Shelton Says DoD Must Live up to Medical Promises
Stars "Enlist" to Spotlight Military
Stump Greets Clinton/Gore VA Budget With Mixture of Approval and Skepticism
Top NCOs Push Quality of Life Before Congress
Women's Health Seminars Take Arlington Memorial Stage
VA News about the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
Veterans Administration Warns Of Insurance Hoax
Why did sailors of old wear earrings?
Back in the seafaring days of wooden ships (to give you an idea
of how long ago), there was no certainty sailors setting out on
long voyages would ever see their homeland again. To prepare for
the worst, sailors took to wearing gold earrings so that if there
was an accident and their bodies were found washed ashore on some
foreign beach, the gold in their earrings would be used to pay
for decent burials.
On Feb. 4, 1789, electors unanimously chose In 1861, at a convention in Montgomery, Ala., six states -- In 1892 President Lincoln's birthday was declared a national holiday.
"If the children are untaught, their ignorance and vices will
in future life cost us much dearer in their consequences than
it would have done in their correction by a good education."
-Thomas Jefferson
"There has never yet been a man in our history - Theodore Roosevelt
Back issues of "The Moonduster Chronicles" 1998
Feel free to use this banner to link back to The Moonduster Chronicles' Main Page:
Credits
Thanks to Karl Kristiansen for the Moonduster Chronicles Banner, the Moonduster Chronicles Recognition Award, and the POW/MIA Related News
Graphic Thanks to
Ron's POW/MIA and Patriotic Graphics
Trivia and Quotes Courtesy of Mailbits.com
is updated daily to include new items of interest, new announcements, and new submissions. So be sure to bookmark this page and stop by every day for the latest version of the Operation Just Cause Newsletter.
Senate Select Committee
Aug 4, 5, 1992
Senate Select Committee
Nov 10, 11, 1992
House Foreign Affairs
July 14, 22, 1993
Senate Foreign Relations
July 21, 1993
House committee on Foreign Affairs
June 28, 1990
House Foreign Affairs
May 30, 1991
East Asia committee of Senate Foreign Affairs
April 11, 1991
House Foreign Affairs
June 25, 1991
House Foreign Affairs
July 17, 1991
House Foreign Affairs
House Foreign Affairs
Nov 6, 1991
House Foreign Affairs
July 1, 1992
Gunny Fallon
from Dennis Johnson
from Chuck and Mary Schantag
In light of the news of the auctioning off of POW/MIA Bracelets on the Internet, Chuck and Mary Schantag of the P.O.W. Network came up with a way to turn this into something positive. Click on the link above to find out how you can help.
from Steve Golding
POW/MIA Forum
Operation Just Cause
POW/MIA Balloon Launch, Director
Honoring Our Country's Presidents
This month we celebrate President's Day. Although the holiday celebrates the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, "The Moonduster Chronicles" will have special features on other famous and notable Presidents of the United States.
Sent in by Veterans News and Information Services
American Forces Press Service
"The Moonduster Chronicles"
February 2000
The soldiers of the U.S.Canadian 1st Special Service Force
Saving the Day During Tet
by Marsha Burks Megehee
by Dianne Rierson
by Marty Tyler
by Dianne Rierson
by Mark Carroll
**Updated regularly**
POW/MIA Related News
George Washington to be
the first president of the U.S.
Alabama, Georgia, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and South Carolina --
elected Jefferson Davis president of the Confederacy.
who led a life of
ease whose name is worth remembering."
"Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others...he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance." ...Robert Francis Kennedy (1925-1968)
There are ways for us to work together to start tearing down those 'mighty walls of oppression and resistance' and gain a full accountability of our POW/MIA's.
Please feel free to browse through the following links to see what you can do to help.
2000
1999
http://www.ojc.org/NL
"The Moonduster Chronicles"
NL@ojc.org
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