The Moonduster Chronicles
The Official Newsletter of
Operation Just Cause

...for as long as it takes                               February 1999

February 1999

The theme for this month's issue of "The Moonduster Chronicles" coincides with the observance of Presidents Day on February 15th. I wanted to know who our readers thought was our best President and why. I also wanted to know which President they felt would have been the best one to help gain a full accountability of our POW/MIA's. I hope you enjoy reading the responses the newsletter has received.

On Presidents Day, we honor and celebrate the birth of two Presidents in our country's history that remind us of the most important thing America stands for; Freedom. With President George Washington, the United States gained its independence. With President Lincoln, African Americans were freed from the bonds of slavery. We, as Americans, gain the right to be free the moment we are born, but there are those who fought for that right and those who are still fighting. The irony is that Freedom does not come without a price tag and it does not come without sacrifice. Brave men and women throughout the centuries have paid the price with their very lives.

I would like to dedicate this issue of "The Moonduster Chronicles" to one very special man who fought for our Freedom. A man who has experienced things in his lifetime that few people could ever be able to understand or imagine. At the same time he fought for Freedom, he was fighting for his sanity and his very life. Having survived that, he is devoting his life now to fight for the Freedom of our POW/MIA's. The man I would like to dedicate this issue of the OJC Newsletter to is former POW Retired USAF Colonel Ted Guy. He recently became ill and the prognosis was not good. However, he is a fighter and word has it that he is fighting this battle as well, and is getting better. Colonel Guy reminds me of a quote from the late President John Fitzgerald Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country". Colonel Ted Guy did not ask what he could do, he just did it.


Thank you, Colonel!

Important Message From Gunny
I will be stepping back for a couple of weeks to work on a special project that will be taking all of my time. Meanwhile, please address all OJC related correspondence to the appropriate Team:

OJC Teams

Thanks...Gunny

...And Some Special Announcements From Gunny

Brother Gunny Carlos Hathcock Has Passed On

Gunny Carlos Hathcock, unquestionably the greatest sniper and one of the finest Marines in the history of the Corps, has passed away. This in from Al Varelas:

It is with great sadness that I must inform you that retired Marine sniper GySgt. Carlos Nathaniel Hathcock III has passed on. Carlos went into the hospital last week with a kindney infection and was supposed to come home this Friday, 26 February. Carlos suffered from MS, and for the past two years had been confined to home and bed.

Those who did not know this man, missed out on a great gentle and caring person who without reservation gave all for his country. God bless you Carlos, rest in peace. Please visit the following website for GySgt. Hathcock:

A Tribute to GySGT. Carlos Hathcock

Mrs Hathcock has asked that memorial donations be made to the The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Inc. (MSF) on the following site: Sniper Country

Time Life Series: The Vietnam Experience

I doubt there was ever a greater tribute to the Vietnam Veteran than the Time Life series: The Vietnam Experience. This series was created by my friend and fellow Vietnam Vet, Bob George, a Marine A-6 pilot whose family has given more to the country and the Corps than anyone should be asked to give. Bob's nephew Chris, son of our late Brother Ken George, is an active, hard-working member of Operation Just Cause.

Many vets who were still "in the closet" when the series was released, missed out on the opportunity and never got to see the series. It has had remarkable reconciliatory and healing powers for just about every vet I know. It was the very first publication of any kind to tell the story as it really was. You could not read one of the 26 volumes without experiencing a sense of pride in being a Vietnam Vet.

Bob has just advised me that the series is finally going to be rereleased, along with a video. To learn more about it, go to The Vietnam Experience Website and see for yourself. BTW, This is just an announcement that the series is available again.

This is NOT an advertisement. "The Vietnam Experience" does not need a plug or an endorsement from a tired old Gunny. More than 9,000,000 volumes were sold. Over 700,000 people subscribed after seeing the first volume. Each volume speaks for itself. If you know anyone who has any of the volumes from the series, just take a look at it and you will understand what I'm talking about.

New Feature for Emailing Elected Officials in Washington

One of OJC's original members, Joe Oliver, has has created a feature which should make emailing all of our elected officials in Washington a lot easier. It is similar to the one Bud set up: Email 106th Congress with one major difference.

Joe's site sends an individual copy of your letter to each address. Also, Colonel Guy and I each get a copy so we know how much mail is going out to DC on the POW issue.

To use Joe's feature, just prepare your message (spend some time making it meaningful folks...and don't say anything that the rest of us will wind up answering for later on) and send it to:

pow2congress@soft-vision.com

That's all there is to it. I know it works because I used it a short time ago and very quickly began receiving auto responses from all over inside the beltway.

Word of caution. Don't accidentally (or otherwise) put this address on any mailing lists. The last thing we need is for the entire congress to start getting daily msgs from Joe's server announcing every birth, death, new site, info update, good news, bad news, prayer request etc.... If that happens, it will be a matter of moments before they start hitting the delete key every time they see the return address.

This can be a very useful tool Joe created. Use it wisely and don't abuse it.

On that note:

As a writer, I have learned that you have to catch their attention in the first sentence AND in the subject line. These are professional politicians folks...What do you think is the phrase they most like to hear? The one that will keep them reading? A simple "Thank You" in the subject line will get their attention. Then how about opening with: "First of all I'd like to thank you for all you have done...but more about that later..."

They will keep reading just to see what you are thanking them for so they can get their daily dose of warm and fuzzy 'feel goods and ego strokes'.

Hopefully, along the way, they will absorb some of what you are writing them about. If the letter is well written, by the time they get to the end they will have stopped looking for praise and started thinking about how they can keep you happy so you will send them more praise. And if they DO do something to help, be sure to thank them for real.

Another thing to keep in mind is that snail mail gets more attention than email, faxes get more attention than normal snail mail and hand-written letters get the best response of all.

...Gunny

Update on Colonel Ted Guy
sent in by Chuck *Doc* Stewart

Great news today... and who says prayers don't work!!!

Former POW Colonel Swede Larson, USAF Ret. says...

The news is very good on Ted Guy. Your prayers DID help. His wife said they thought they had lost him on Wednesday, but the Doctors found a new antibiotic that WORKED, and is bringing the fever down. They also took out the Stint in his chest, that was causing some of the problem.

Linda said he was on the road to recovery. He still has to deal with the Myelodysplasia, but they hoped to have him released in about a week. Linda was extremely grateful for all the prayers and concern everyone has shone. . ."Swede" Larson

There is now a guestbook set up to send well wishes to Colonel Ted Guy:
Ted Guy's "Do It Now" Guestbook

Another Brother in Need of Prayers
Also in from Doc

Dear Friends and Family,

On Thursday, Jan. 28, my Dad (Gary Gentzler a/k/a Gunnyg) was admitted into York Hospital due to kidney failure which is directly related to the heart failure he was diagnosed with 10 years ago. At this point, the Doctors are running several tests and compiling data from them to determine what will be their next step.

Unfortunately, the outlook is not good. Depending on the test results, there are really only 2 options:

1) to administer Dopamine, a STRONG drug which is supposed to "kick-start" the heart, which will in turn get the kidneys working again; or

2) Dialysis. This option would only be used as a last resort. The Doctor told us that a person with my Dads heart condition is usually not a candidate for dialysis.

His Doctor does not recommend it. We have also consulted with a kidney specialist who also believes that dialysis is not a good idea.

I am e-mailing you tonight to request your prayers. Gary needs all the prayers he can get!!!! We believe that he is in God's hands and that whatever happens is God's will.

Thank you for your prayers,
Tonja (Gunnyg's daughter)
semper fi...gentz (aka.....gunnyg)

Timely Message From
Jill Hubbs

I will be in Washington, D.C. on a business trip from Thursday, February 4th until Sunday, February 7th. I will be visiting The Wall to visit my father's name. Even though I have been to The Wall many times, each time is special. Since he is still missing in Vietnam, it is the only place I can go to honor my father.

I would like to express my appreciation to all of the veterans who write my mother and send her notes. It really makes her feel special and I appreciate it from the bottom of my heart. She just received a postcard this past week from someone who had been to The Wall. I would like to do something to express my thanks to everyone. If anyone wants to e-mail a message for a name on The Wall that is special in their hearts, I will be glad to print it out and leave it at The Wall.

Many thanks!
Jill

Another Timely Message-Note Date

Secretary and Mrs. Cohen to Host Special Tribute
to America's Armed Forces and Heroes of the Past

A POW/MIA Mom Needs Your Support
Sent in by Dave Murray

A POW/MIA Mom needs your support. A get well card, a brief note, can make the difference. Jane Duke Gaylor, mother of Charles Duke (POW/MIA), needs support. A card and .33 cents can make all the difference in the world.

Lets let Jane know that although the Government has forgotten her, veterans haven't. Her son is POW/MIA so lets adopt Jane as our mom.

Lets get cards out. Make the Post Office work. Due to health reasons Jane won't be able to write back. an old photo of Jane Duke Gaylor can be seen on my home page: Dave Murray's Fight for POW/MIA's

Send a little love to a woman whose son is POW/MIA:

Jane Duke Gaylor
Riverpark Senior Residence
309 10th Street
Bradenton, FL 34205

Sad News
Also from Dave Murray

It's with a deep personal sadness that I have to report the following. Bereth Hubbs is certainly with God. This sadness is is buffered only by the fact, that Bereth now knows the truth.

On a personal note; I would like to thank everyone that has taken a little time to to send Mrs. Hubbs a card or a letter. You have all made a difference. God Bless you Dave

Condolences cam be sent to:
The Hubbs Family
2051 Downing St.
Pensacola, FL 32505

I just wanted to pass along to you all that an unfortunate, and untimely death occurred on Valentines Day. Mrs. Bereth Hubbs passed away. She is the mother of Jill Hubbs and wife of unaccounted for POW, Donald R Hubbs. Please find it in your hearts to say a small prayer for this family. Bereth left this world, without knowing what happened to Donald. May God hold her in His hands and give her peace.

God Bless you all.

Harv

"The Moonduster Chronicles"
February 1999

Message from the Editor:

As this century comes to a close, there will many people caught up in remembering the major events that took place during the 20th century. For this reason, I would like to dedicate a portion of "The Moonduster Chronicles" each month of 1999 to the people and events that shaped our country and shook the world.

Keeping in mind that veterans make up a large portion of Operation Just Cause, I would like to include stories, information and links to sites dedicated to the heroes of America, our veterans. I will be adding sections dedicated to the veterans of WWI, the Korean War, WWII, the Vietnam War, and the Gulf War.

The first tribute will be for the veterans of World War II. Unfortunately, my children do not have the benefit of grandparents to learn what it was like for those who remember growing up during WWII and the Great Depression. I believe it is important for all of us to hear about, and from, these brave men and women. Veterans of WWII are still with us and they have stories to tell and experiences to share that will benefit generations to come. Our WWII Veterans are an integral part of this country's history.

I feel that to go forward we need to take a look back at where we have been. Therefore, I would like to encourage our readers to send in stories, poems, and articles pertaining to World War II.

The next tribute I will be working on is for veterans of the Korean War. Hopefully within the next few weeks, I will be able to have all of the tribute sections in the "The Moonduster Chronicles".

Thanks, Barb Malone
Please send your submissions to The OJC Newsletter.

"Special Section This Month"

February is Black History Month

  • A Chance for a Vietnam Memorial Wall Stamp
  • POW/MIA Balloon Launch
  • POW-Bring Them Home Alive Act of 1999
  • POW/MIA Internet Blackout Day, February 1, 1999
  • Revised List of POW/MIA Organizations
  • The 1999 Freedom Flight Schedule is now posted at: 1999 Freedom Flight Schedule
  • The White House: Presidential Determination on Vietnam POW-MIA
  • US Seeks Continued Chinese Cooperation on POW/MIA Issue
  • War Dogs-The Untold Story About Dogs In Combat

"Creativity Corner"

Poetry

  • A Hero Amongst Us
    (for Col. Ted Guy)
  • "A Special Poem for Valentines Day"
  • Dark Nights
  • I Went to the Wall
  • K.O.P.
    (A tongue-in-cheek poem)
  • "One More Step"
  • Retreat"
  • Seventeen
  • "The Vision"


Stories

  • A Story to Touch the Heart and Spirit
  • The Name on My Bracelet


"Favorite Presidents"


Links of Interest
  • HTML and Graphics Help Links
  • Miscellaneous Links
  • POW/MIA Links
  • Veteran/Military Links




Click on radio graphic to go directly ot the POW/MIA Freedom Radio website


Click Here to check for upcoming dates and scheduled guests.
**Updated regularly**
Thanks to Gunny for the POW/MIA Freedom Radio graphic


The names of those listed as POW/MIA 30 years ago this month

Presidents' Section
  • Presidents' Quick Facts
  • The Presidents' Role in the Vietnam Era
  • The American Presidency
  • The American Experience/The Presidents


Important events in history during the month of February.

Benefits

  • Committee Wants VA Secretary to Use Cabinet Rank
    More Forcefully In Advocating Veterans' Cause Within the Administration
  • DoD's Privatized Housing Program Hits High Gear
  • Stump: Veterans Ignored in President's Budget
  • Sailors Question Cohen on Quality of Life Issues
  • VA Establishes Nationwide Education Information Helpline
  • VFW Action Corps Legislative Alert---February 22, 1999

General News

  • Armed Services YMCA Announces Annual Poster Art Contest
  • Cohen Asks America to Support Military, Base Closures
  • Cohen Says Today's Military Inherits Legacy of Service
  • Commissary Consumer Advocate Listens, Answers
  • Federal Program Assists Absentee Voters
  • House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Organizes; Introduces Six New Members
  • New DACOWITS Chair Discusses Priorities, Shares Concerns
  • Service Members Are Top Priority in 2000 Budget
  • Six State Chairpersons Appointed for Employer Support of the National Guard and Reserve
  • "Troops to Teachers" Program May Continue
  • VA's Year 2000 Budget Submitted To Congress
  • VA Completes Software Applications Renovation for Y2K
  • Vietnam Vet Recalls Life in 'Bama; Marching With King

Medical

Special Links for Veterans
*(The following links provide information and help to veterans)

*If you know of other related websites, please send them to
The Moonduster Chronicles and I will post them here.

*Coming Soon*

"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.

Important Operation Just Cause Links

Operation Just Cause Adopt a POW Operation Just Cause Build a Page OJC Government Contact Page
OJC Members' Message Board Operation Just Cause...for as long as it takes OJC POW/MIA Freedom Radio
OJC Site Remembrance Award Operation Just Cause Switchboard Operation Just Cause Webring

Feel free to print out and distribute any or all parts of "The Moonduster Chronicles". There are those individuals without access to the Internet who might enjoy reading it. Prime examples of places frequented by veterans are VFW's and VA HealthCare Facilities. We may also have 'offline' friends who would want to adopt a POW/MIA, as a group or individually, that are unaware of Operation Just Cause.

Back issues of "The Moonduster Chronicles"
January 1999 December 1998 November 1998 October 1998
September 1998 August 1998 July 1998 June 1998
March 1998 February 1998 January 1998 Main Index Page

* Disclaimer *
Submissions of original work posted in all issues of "The Moonduster Chronicles" do not necessarily represent the views of Operation Just Cause, the Operation Just Cause Staff, or its members as a whole. All comments, criticisms and points of view are welcome. Please click on the link below to send yours:
NL@ojc.org

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All POW/MIA Graphics and Backgrounds by Ron