...for as long as it takes
After hearing what Mr. Rich had to say in response to my questions, I realized for the first time that it is easy for me to make a webpage for my adopted POW/MIA, to write letters on his behalf to my government officials, and to post material in this newsletter to do my part for Operation Just Cause.
I do not have to go out of my way to find compassion for these individuals who were left behind after the war. But I can only venture to guess how the families of these POW/MIA's have been able to live with the POW/MIA issue for so many years. Doing what we do as members of Operation Just Cause is easy compared to the those whose lives have been most affected by it. I want to thank Mr. Rich for giving me the opportunity to hear what he had to say and for helping me to understand who it is we are doing this for; for men like Captain Richard Rich.
Visit Chris' page for his father: B F Malone
Can you tell me how you first became involved with OJC? Are other
members of your family involved with OJC as well?
I joined OJC and have been around ever since. Since that time there have been a
few other "KIDS' join the Ring and I even heard from a woman that was doing
another page on my dad. I found what OJC really meant last year right after I got
home from Veterans Day in DC.
I received a document from JTF on my dad's "Site" and in the recommendations
were NOT to excavate the site. I sent this document to Steve and to Gunny and asked for
their help. By the end of the following week the DOD had received over 1000
Mails, Faxes, Letters and Phone calls about why they weren't going to do anything,
this is the number that they used. Since that time I went to the LOF Conference last June
and met Gunny to see a picture of him and me. Look at my page, my site number is 90.
I got permission for Steve to look at my dad's records and he found a lot of
information that didn't seem to fit.
Other members of OJC have always been right there when I asked them a question
or to verify some information. OJC is the Main Reason why my dads site is on the
schedule for this year, and is also why I support everything and anything that OJC
does.
Before the founding of Sons and Daughters In Touch in 1990, those who lost their
fathers in Vietnam had no resources to help them understand their emotional
experience. Many grew to adulthood wondering if they could somehow be the only one
to have endured such a loss.
Among the 58,209 Americans lost in Southeast Asia, it is estimated that more than
one-third were fathers. Back home, more than 20,000 American children were left to
wonder why Daddy wasn't coming home. Today, through local chapter events and
National SDIT reunions, and partnerships with Veteran's community, these sons and
daughters have become shining examples of America's resilience. By perpetuating the
healing inspired by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, SDIT is teaching the cost of war,
and setting an example for others to follow.
On Father's Day 1965, an Air Force jet disappeared over Vietnam. Four years later,
eight-year-old Tony Cordero helped bury his father, MAJ William E Cordero. As the
25th anniversary of his father's death approached, Tony made a promise to himself. He
wanted to find others who, like him, had lost a father in Vietnam and had been afraid to
talk about it. His quest led him to Wanda Ruffin, then the director of In-Touch; a program committed to connecting family, friends
and Veterans of those listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Wanda was eager to put Tony in touch with another young adult
whose father was killed in Vietnam - her own daughter Wende.
The meeting between Tony and Wende was one of emotional relief. They spoke of
common experiences and enjoyed an instant camaraderie. "Finally were able to share
the anger, pain and guilt we'd kept locked inside," explained Tony. This bond began
their healing. A 1990 Memorial Day article in Parade Magazine prompted responses
from hundreds of sons and daughters across the country wanting to meet and share their
experiences with others that would understand them.
The first "Proud to Remember", Father's Day 1992 gathering received an overwhelming
response from hundreds of children, families and Veterans. Weekend events offered
nearly 400 daughters and sons their first opportunity to share, learn and begin to grow
beyond the pain. On that June morning, these living legacies gathered at the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial to pay a powerful tribute to their fathers. For many, this marked the
first time that they were able to touch their father's name on the Memorial. For all, the
healing process had begun as they proclaimed, "They were our fathers."
In 1993, SDIT hosted its second Father's Day Reunion in Washington, DC, welcoming a larger audience of sons and daughters,
their families and supportive Veterans.
Following its second Father's Day Reunion, SDIT set out to establish itself as a fully
recognized non-profit organization. Articles of Incorporation and By-laws were
approved, a working board of directors was elected, an operating budget adopted and
SDIT formally began the business of healing the wounds left from America's most
divisive war.
After much planning and preparation, the third Father's Day Reunion was held in June
1997, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Again, hundreds of sons and daughters went
to our Nation's capitol to honor their fathers, some for the first time, others for their
second or third. Many felt compelled to bring their children, to teach them of their
Grandfather's significant place in United States history.
Today, as SDIT nears its tenth anniversary, it has made an impact in the lives of more
than 3,000 sons and daughters from every state in the country. Every major Veteran's
organization supports the work of SDIT. Similar organizations have formed to benefit
the children of America's other wars. SDIT chapters are permitting members to support each other, to work with Veteran
organizations and to volunteer their time when traveling replicas of "The Wall" are displayed in their communities. SDIT members
were honored to march in both America's National Independence Day Parade in Washington, DC, and in the country's longest
running 4th of July Parade held in Bristol, R.I.
SDIT will celebrate its tenth anniversary by hosting its largest reunion on Father's Day
2000, in Washington, DC.
Now what SDIT has meant to me. I had heard of SDIT since the Beginning, Tony is a member of *Prodigy and we had talked
about it for a long time but I never became very involved until July 97. I was having a very hard time with issues on my Dad and I
found out that there are other KIDS that have had the same experience, I wasn't alone any more. We had the same feelings while
growing up. There is now a group that really understands what it is like to grow up without a father. We are able to share our
experiences and with the on line community we are able to talk with each other and try to help. I have cried many a night on this
keyboard, maybe that is why it sounds kind of rusty sometimes. We are all Brothers and Sisters I have grown very close to a lot
of the Kids and have even gotten the chance to meet a few of them. A growing number of SDIT Kids are becoming members of
OJC, and sadly the number of MIA kids are growing, these are kids that were adopted or never told about their father and they
have just recently found out about their fathers.
Besides having just Kids we also have Brothers, Sisters, Wives, Veterans and other concerned people. Another Organization that
started because of SDIT is BSIT Brothers and Sisters In Touch.
For more information on SDIT and BSIT, please visit the following websites:
(*Prodigy is an on-line service)
"Let's Bring Him Home"
There are many reasons to thank you for allowing me to ask you the following
questions. I know that this is something that you and your family have
lived with for over 30 years and I know each time you speak of it, it is
difficult for you. So I am especially grateful that you are willing to
share your story with us. I also want to say that your involvement with
OJC and your SDIT organization has done a lot to help others and for
that we are all grateful. My questions are based on what I have learned thus far regarding our
POW/MIA's and what I know of your father from your webpages.
We were given the standard DOD/Red Cross Telegram..."Sorry to inform you that"...And we were visited by a Navy Chaplin and an officer from the Navy. That was a very confusing day for me, because my Dad was 15 days short of finishing his cruise. I was four years old at the time, so when I saw the Navy uniform I thought it had to be him...but we all know the story.
From May 19, 1967, the date your father was first listed as MIA, to
January 1973, Operation Homecoming, had your family received any
additional information regarding your father at all?
My Mom was asked to look at photos and she attended the Paris Peace talks, even though the USG didn't ask her to talk. We were given a minimal amount of information to keep the family from asking to many questions. My mom was one of the original members of NLF but left a few years later when no work was getting done.
After Operation Homecoming, did your family still believe that your
father's whereabouts would become known one day?
My Mom buried the pain so deep I don't think she has ever let it out. She never had the time to grieve as she had 4 boys to raise, one being very sick. My oldest brother didn't want to find out until he turned 42 the age my Dad was when he was shot down. My 2nd oldest brother went as far as to attend the Naval Academy for a couple of years as he wanted to fly fighters also. My 3rd oldest brother dealt with it in his own way and has always though he was dead. I have never accepted the fact and will continue to fight until I find the answers.
Since joining OJC, I have learned a lot about American POW/MIA's. I
know that you are a member of OJC and that you obviously believe people
were left behind at the end of the war. In my high school junior's
American History textbook, the only mention of POW/MIA's is President
Nixon's promise to 'withdraw American troops from Vietnam in exchange
for the return of American POW's'. It does not mention the over two
thousand that were left behind.
I first got involved with OJC after a close friend, Steve Golding, asked if I would do
a web page on my dad for another ring. Steve has known me for the past 7 years and
has helped me with information on my dad. I got involved with the Ring and got my
page up after lots of questions to Steve and to Gunny. That was a year ago this month.
In your opinion, since becoming part of OJC, has there been any
change in the way our government is handling the POW/MIA issue?
Yes, I have seen how the USG really is trying NOT to help the Families, but now with organizations like OJC the USG doesn't have a choice but to start to work on this issue. They would rather have us forget but because of organizations like OJC that are keeping it in the front where they have to respond just because of the shear number of letters, faxes, email phone calls they get on a particular subject or topic.
What would you like to say to other families that have been waiting
for over 30 years for news about their loved one?
NEVER GIVE UP HOPE, The amount of people I have found in the past few years that there are people that really truly care
what happened to our POW/MIA's. If you haven't been involved lately get involved again. If you are involved, push harder. It
took OJC to get the ball rolling with my Dad. We can do the same for you. When a Senator or Congressman or government agency
gets a few hundred letters, faxes, emails, phone calls on a particular person, in a short period of time, that is when they will start to
look at it.
What advice do you have for family members of POW/MIA's on the best
way to prompt the government to help families obtain a full accounting?
NEVER LET THE USG FORGET that those are OUR Brothers, Uncles, Cousins, Dads, Sons that they left behind. Contact
your Casualty Officer, start to get the records they have since the last time you saw them. If you aren't knowledgeable to
understand what is in the files, find someone that is. I Did. I am sure there are people here that would help. Educate the Public as much as you can on the POW/MIA issue, the more people we have asking questions the less the USG can ignore us.
How has the recent discovery of the identity of the "Unknown",
Michael Blassie, affected you as far as your situation with your
father's POW/MIA status? Did you ever believe it was possible for a
tragedy such as this to happen?
I am extremely happy that the Blassie family has their closure, which is what all the Families are asking for is, closure. Yes there are mistakes and cover-ups all the time in the Govt. They just go a bit further to do their best not to let US the People that they are supposed to serve know what they did.
After almost thirty years, the Blassie family now knows what has
happened to Michael and where he has been all of this time. Do you feel
it is most important for family members of POW/MIA's to have closure,
regardless of what they may learn about their loved one?
YES YES YES
It was stated that there were those who knew what had happened to
Michael Blassie long before his family found out. Do you now believe,
or have you ever believed that certain individuals may know what
happened to your father, as well?
I think that the USG knows more about my Father than they want to tell The Family. If you get the material for the
POW Network on my Dad you will see that his is 1) on the Special Remains list. Why is this? He is also mentioned in an AP
news article dated 1968, I believe, from Russia. Whey would his name be mentioned the YEAR after he was shot down? My
Father was also Naval Intelligence and on the fast track, he was to help start up a new program the Navy was starting, TOP GUN.
Could you tell me a little about "Sons and Daughters in Touch"?
Our Mission: To locate, unite and provide support to Sons, Daughters and
other family members of those who died or remain missing as a result of the
Vietnam War; to produce a quarterly newsletter providing important
information to all SDIT stakeholders; to promote healing via networking and
special projects, to regularly address high schools and college classes in
hopes of providing education on the historical and emotional legacy of war.
Please feel free to elaborate on any issue you feel is important for
others to know. If there is anything you feel you do not want to answer
for whatever the reason, I completely understand. I know that you and
your family live with this on a daily basis, and I commend you for your
courage.
The last thing I would like to say is that it is time for ALL the POW/MIA Organizations to put away their differences and work
toward the common goal. : Bringing home the Remaining ALIVE POW's and MIA's. We all want the same thing but we do it in
different ways. The internal fighting I have seen in the past few years is actually hurting the CAUSE not helping it. Just think if
WE, everyone that wants the truth, bonds together in one organization, WE would have the strongest lobby in the USA and the
most Registered Voters... The Politicians would HAVE TO LISTEN or lose their jobs. Thanks for the chance to express my
views.
