Dave Murray is the Volunteer/Activist for the month of July. Dave is and has been involved in many phases of the POW/MIA, always with great devotion and commitment. To know anything about Dave you have to know his fire, his drive and his never ending searching for the answers to bring home the POW/MIA(s). The Moonduster Chronicles is proud to introduce you to an Activist for the POW/MIA(s) and a one in a million friend to OJC - Mr. J. David "Dave" Murray.
MDC: How did you become interested in the POW/MIA issue?
Dave, Ashley & Rick (L-R Rick In Cage)
Rolling Thunder DC Memorial Day 2001
Click on photo to zoom
JDM: When I came home from Vietnam the Vietnamese communists were refusing to release the names of people that were held captive. They refused to permit communication between families and POW's (remember the war was still on). There was an organization known as VIVA (Voices in Vital America). I became involved. I filled orders for bracelet and mailings doing really simple things. As near as I can recall that was abou1972. Those were the simple days.
Off and on my interest grew. I started hearing about men left behind from news articles, books etc.
April 30 1975, the war ended. I know just where I was when I heard the news. It was crushing. Our missing men still weren't home!
Slowly people began to forget, I couldn't. I had 2 bracelets on my wrist, Roderick Lester (nickel) and Edward Estes (copper). I still wear Roderick Lester's bracelet. The aircraft was found - no remains that I know of yet. Sounds Familiar!
After 1975 I actively sought out information on the POW/MIA issue, it was difficult, but books started coming out and information started coming out. There was no question that men were left behind. Even if only half of the information was accurate, it was compelling. American's were left behind.
Then I learned that it wasn't just Vietnam, this was a pattern from previous wars and the "cold war".
MDC: Can you explain your involvement and describe the various jobs you do?
JDM: I joined several Veterans' organizations and tried to gather some kind of effort and concern. I didn't have very much luck, at least not a real commitment.
Now "fast forward" to about 1994 when I joined VVA (Vietnam Veteran's of America). They were asking for a POW/MIA Chairman at the State level. Well of course my hand went up.
Remember those were the days of the fax machine, home computers just weren't there. I took a chance and started a newsletter, which was published for about 6 years. I somehow got hooked up with the National Alliance of Families, I really don't recall how.
I learned a great deal more thanks to Steve Golding and Lynn O'Shea. Perhaps more than I wanted to know.
About 4 years ago I was asked to produce POW/MIA Freedom Radio. It was a challenge that I couldn't say no to. I knew that I owed it to a special friend that I had met, Jane Duke Gaylor, I couldn't let her down, (Jane died on August 29 1999) her son was missing, and she never learned the truth. Yes I remember that phone call like it was yesterday.
I have been active with Rolling Thunder, Friends of the Forgotten, VVA, American Legion and SEARCH INC. I've spoken in school programs.
I planned a "research" trip back to Southeast Asia but the plans never developed. Would I go? In a heart beat!
There WERE men left behind, they are my brothers and I want them home from Russia, China, and South East Asia.
As an aside, we recently brought an air crew home from China. Readers might want to look up the name Dunn from Vietnam era. Lost at the same location China! Alive and well sitting in a life raft drifting in Chinese water's. He was abandoned!! That went right up to the White House and the decision was...too bad! Yes I get angry!
MDC: Do you have hopes that under the new administration we will begin to get the answers we have worked to obtain?
JDM: As to the "new administration", since 1975 there have been too many "new administrations".
MDC: What do you see working to pressure the USG to release information and to be active in a search for the live POWs and the remains of the KIAs?
JDM: OJC has done a wonderful job of making people aware of the POW/MIA issue. One thing that I would ask is that every OJC volunteer obtain a POW/MIA bracelet and make the pledge to wear it (bracelets can be obtained at The Last Fire Base). That money all goes to the POW/MIA issue.
We all need to talk to people more, tell them the truth. The facts are out there on the Internet. Tell people why we wear a bracelet.
It's more than just having a "web page", it's a commitment. This is about contacting congressional representatives, and when we get the "standard" reply we contact them again, and again, and again.
I don't want "bull sheet-rock" answers. I want Donald Hubbs, Roderick Lester, James Preston, and Thomas Moore home. Nothing less is acceptable.
MDC: With you being on the front line of the fight for the return of the POW/MIAs what suggestions would you have for the volunteers to work at to gain the publicity that we need to make this issue more noticed?
JDM: When people receive a letter from their congressional representatives saying that "It is my highest priority" write back and tell your representative "that's not good enough"!
OJC has done a really great job. We can do it. "Together"! Be active, at work, at school, at home. The support is here if anyone needs it.
We need to get behind Roger Hall and his law suit against the CIA. I know OJC doesn't ask for money, but $1.00 from each member would do the trick. There are private search efforts that can be helped.
To the members of OJC, I ask 2 things
1. Listen to POW/MIA Freedom Radio each week
2. Bring my brothers home!!
We can win, but we have to fight. It sure would be great to see a big showing of OJC members at next years National Alliance of Families meeting. It's open to all.
God Bless everyone involved with OJC. You've done a great job and a lot of work.
MDC: We all know we have a long battle ahead to fight, what keeps you going every day and cements your desire to continue?
JDM: Oh, what keeps me going? Some days I just don't know. I guess it's real simple. I'd sure want someone there for me. I'd damn well care if it was my son or daughter my father or brother.
My friend Jane Gaylor keeps me going. She's my angel, my friend, the Mother of my veteran brother. I carry her fight. Godspeed Jane.
Dave Murray
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