"Have You Thanked A Veteran Today?"
This edition of "The Moonduster Chronicles" will be a special 'Memorial Day' issue. However, there are a few items I would like to announce first. These items will include the names of some very special people worth remembering this Memorial Day, and every day.
In honor of Mother's Day on May 9th, I would like to include a special section dedicated to all Moms, most especially the Mothers of men and women in the Armed Forces; past, present, and future. I would especially like to hear from veterans. If anyone has a story to share about their Mother, please feel free to send it to the Newsletter at NL@ojc.org
There are two new sections added to "The Moonduster Chronicles" starting this month. In one section, we will be posting updates sent in by the readers regarding their specific adopted POW. In the other new section, we will be posting special requests for thoughts and prayers and/or assistance. If you have updated information to share relating to your adopted POW, or special requests for someone needing good thoughts, prayers, or you just know of someone who needs a little help, please send them to NL@ojc.org
These are just a few ways for all of us to be kept informed as to what is happening respective to our adopted POW/MIAs, and also to keep in touch with each other. Thank you, B F Malone
Colonel, Sir, this special Memorial Day issue of "The Moonduster Chronicles" is dedicated to you. We will always remember you and all that you have done.
An "In Memorium" Book, for Ted's family, can be found at
Colonel Ted Guy
Will be interred at Arlington National Cemetary on June 18, 1999 at 11:00 AM. Please observe an
appropriate time of silence at that time if you cannot physically be there.
Dear Ted, Dad Ted Gunny's wife, Betsy, has been hospitalized for a gastro infection and subsequently suffered a MILD stroke. Gunny requests that rather than email him, please send your well wishes for Betsy via the book.
Here it is: Betsy Fallon, Get Well, Get Home Soon!
Gunny contacted me and advised that Betsy is not doing all that well. Betsy was admitted to the Intensive
Care Unit last (5/12) night. We still don't know for certain what the problem is. So please remember Betsy in your thoughts, prayers, good karma, or whatever it is you do to send positive
messages to someone who is ill. Remember Gunny too.
Speaking of which, there is an appreciation page made by an OJC member, "Bob," and he asked that I
include it in this mailing: Tribute To Gunny American Casualties in the Balkans
The United States Suffered its first casualties of Clinton's Balkan War,
when an Apache Helicopter crashed suring a training mission in Albania.
Lost were Chief Warrant Officer 2 Kevin Reichert, of Chetek Wisconsin
and Chief Warrant Officer David Gibbs, of Massillon Ohio. Both men were
married, and both had three children. To their families, we offer our
prayers and deepest sympathy.
Ironic, isn't it?
As the Clinton Administration decides what to do about China stealing nuclear secrets from Los Alamos and
then the accidental bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade, John Leboutillier made a tongue-in-cheek,
yet ironic, remark.
On Friday May 7th, former Congressman John Leboutillier, appeared on the Hannity and Combs Show (Fox
News Channel.) When asked to comment on the accidental bombing of the Chinese Embassy in Belgrade,
John stated " we finally bombed an enemy of the United States."
As we mourn the passing of one of our founders, Colonel Ted Guy, we told you that Ted had discussed
stepping back from the issue as well as potential like-minded folks who could step-in and assume the
Chairman Emeritus position at OJC.
One of Colonel Guy's fellow prisoners, who was under Ted's command at the POW camp, Mike Benge has
graciously accepted the Chairman Emeritus position.
"I would be honored to be a chairman emeritus for OJC, keeping in mind that I work full time, and am
raising two girls who are teenagers, so my time is somewhat limited," Mike explained to me. "I am also honored that you cast me in Hawk's shadow (not light).. Hawk and I walked in the same
moccasins. Even though his were spitshined, we basically came to the same conclusions."
I have had the privledge of being with Mike during a few of the many times that he has climbed back into a
bamboo cage to draw attention to the POW/MIA issue.
Hawk is truly smiling down upon us and as Mike's name was one that kept coming up in discussions about
him stepping in, I know that Ted is resting a little easier knowing that a like-minded person such as Mike has
come on board.
As soon as we set-up an e-mail address for Mike, we will advise for anyone wishing to send him welcome
messages.
ALLVETS Memorial Day '99 DC Convoy Program ALLVETS Expressing Their Solidarity For All Veterans
Rolling Thunder's Annual Veterans Health Care Rally Memorial Day Draws Top NCO to `The Wall'
Chairman's Memorial Day Message
Memorial Day Links
Doc's Memorial Day Page
Memorial Day Tribute-"I Remember"
Women Veterans of America
Military Spouse Day
Mother's Day Tributes
History of Mother's Day
Motherhood Mother's Poem
Bring Them Home Alive Act
This applies to nationals of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, North Korea, China and the former states of the
Soviet Union. It would also grant asylum or refugee status to the rescuer's family.
The National Alliance of Families Don't forget that both the National Alliance of Families and the National League of POW/MIA Families will
be holding their annual meetings in Washington DC.
The Alliance will be June 17th - 19th, at the Windham (formerly Sheraton) Center City Hotel, Washington
D.C. (same as last year.) Room rates at $105.00 per night. To make your reservation call 800-526-7495 or
202-775-0800. Remember to say you are with the Alliance to get the discount. Our meetings are open to the
public. For more information contact lynnpowmia@prodigy.net or visit: The National Alliance of Families
The League will be during the same time at the Hilton and you have to register. Certain portions of the
meeting are open to the public, other portions or closed and/or you pay to get in. For more information
contact powmiafam@aol.com
Rolling Thunder Chapter 1 PA
Military Mail / Friends of Our Troops
ITVS Presents POW's on Memorial Day
Benefits
General
The following items appeared in the April edition of the OJC Newsletter. The passing of Ted Guy a little over a week ago was sad news for all of us indeed. I never had the pleasure of meeting Ted in person, but from what I know of him I know that he was a very special individual. He was special not only to Operation Just Cause, but special to us all for his courage and honor while being held as a Prisoner of War for five years from 1968-1973 during his service to his country in the Vietnam War. He took his experience and knowledge, and turned it around to help many others, including all of us here at OJC.
Please sign it. It will go to Ted's family. And tell others.
This is about the last chance we are going to get. Thank you...Dennis
Dennis Johnson
Steve Golding
Doc
A Poem by Christina
From Gunny
From Chris Rich
Sent in by Steve Golding
She wasn't eating and her electrolytes are haywire. She developed a fever. She is in good hands...Gunny's
sister has been a nurse at the hospital for 30+ years and she knows all the best doctors. The last place was
friendly but they just didn't have all the bells and whistles and it sometimes took two days for tests to be
scheduled and to get results.
"Released on May 2, 1999...They were the first, let them be the last."
(Thanks to Karl for the "Free" graphic and caption.)
Veterans News and Information Services
Steve Golding
Message from Gunny
for our American Armed Forces Personnel serving in or around Kosovo.
(Thanks to Dennis for setting this up)
I found this website and thought it would be interesting to some of you.
I found out some things I did not know about NATO and how it works.
Mike Benge, Former POW Joins Operation Just Cause
May 1999
Thanks to Doc for the Memorial Day graphic.
Saturday and Sunday, May 29-30, 1999
Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff
Written by Joaquin Miller
by Helen Steiner Rice
June 20, 1999
...Almost 35 years of service to and support of our
soldiers
Kontum Diary: The Journey Home Website
...Long After the last gunshot, the Vietnam War haunts Veterans from both sides.
by Christina
by Sarge
by Marsha
by J.J.
by Marsha
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 following are two new sections added to the Newsletter starting this month. If anyone has any special requests or updates on their adopted POW's that they would like to share with us, please send them in care of the OJC Newsletter. Specify in the Subject whether it is an 'Update' or a 'Request'.
'More Analysis' on GI Bil
Strategic Youth Action Plan
On Reform of VA Health Care System
Dental Plan Will Increase Aug. 1
For Va Health Care Reform
Men and Women of the Armed Forces
Actions Safe from Y2K