The Moonduster Chronicles
The Official Newsletter of
Operation Just Cause

...for as long as it takes                                     October 1998  

A Few Words...well, maybe more than a few

This month's issue of "The Moonduster Chronicles" will have material pertaining to how we as citizens of the United States of America can exercise our rights to represent those who cannot represent themselves.

This time of year has been referred to as the 'harvest' season. For Operation Just Cause, it can mean a time for all of us to 'sow' the seeds of awareness in the minds of our government officials. As citizens of the United States of America, we can 'reap' the rewards of knowing that together we can make a difference. Together we can fight for a full accounting of our POW/MIA's.

Our "Features" section will include articles on what we as Americans can do for those still fighting by 'Planting Seeds of Awareness'.

Fall is my favorite time of year and it reminds me of new beginnings. Changes take place and that is one of the goals of Operation Just Cause. We are trying to bring about a change in the way our government handles the POW/MIA issue. We can write to our government officials and we can change things. We are fortunate to live in a country that allows us freedom of speech, the freedom to express our views. We have kept that precious freedom thanks to the men and women in the Armed Forces, and we especially owe thanks to those who are still fighting to return home.

Also in our "Features" section, we will include individual accounts of changes that have taken place, and events that have occured, as a result of our persistence in our fight for the POW/MIA's. We are
"Making a Difference".  

I thought of the following when I came up with the theme for this month's issue of "Moonduster Chronicles". Although it originated from the Bible, I am not expressing my religious views. I am merely using the words from the song of the '60's by The Birds called "Turn, Turn, Turn (There is a Season). I thought these words would inspire some of our talented writers to pick a line from the song and write a story or poem regarding how they feel it relates to Operation Just Cause and the POW/MIA issue.
For example: A time to plant; A time to harvest.
These articles will be placed in our "Creativity Corner" section.

There is a right time for everything;
A time to be born, a time to die;
A time to plant; A time to harvest;
A time to kill; A time to heal;
A time to destroy; A time to rebuild;
A time to cry; A time to laugh;
A time to grieve; A time to dance;
A time for scattering stones; A time for gathering stones;
A time to hug; A time not to hug;
A time to find; A time to lose;
A time for keeping; A time for throwing away;
A time to tear; A time to repair;
A time to be quiet; A time to speak up;
A time for loving; A time for hating;
A time for war; A time for peace.

Thank You!  
"October is Agent Orange Awareness Month"
I want to thank the people who sent me the following links. Please visit these websites and make yourself 'aware' of Agent Orange, and find out how you can make others aware of this silent killer.

"The Crow's Nest"

"Agent Orange Victims and Families In Touch"

"The New Jersey Agent Orange Commission"

For more information:
Please go to this page of Agent Orange Awareness Links.

Please read this special poem: Agent Orange by Marsha Burkes Megehee
 

Important Announcement
Save U.S. Soldier's and Airmen's Home, Washington, DC

 

New Special Section

"An Interview With..."

There will be a new section added to "The Moonduster Chronicles". This new feature is called "An Interwiew With…" The interviews will be with Vietnam Veterans from all brances of the Armed Forces, former POW's, and family members of POW/MIA's. I feel these individuals possess the knowledge of first-hand accounts of events directly related to the the Vietnam War and the POW/MIA issue as well.

Inspiration for these interviews came about when I discovered the small amount of information my daughter, who is in high school, receives on the subject of the Vietnam War in her American History textbook. I thought that by asking Vietnam Veterans about the war and about their experiences, the OJC Newsletter could help to enlighten and inform the readers. This, in turn, would enable us to discuss these things with our kids so that the future leaders of this country could have a better understanding of what the Vietnam War was all about through the eyes of those who fought it.

Please take the time to read the following interviews with:

Karl Kristiansen
A Vietnam Veteran


Chris Rich
Son of Captain Richard Rich, USN
Missing since May 19, 1967

Special Message from Gunny:

For those of you who haven't heard, our Brother, Medal of Honor Recipient MSG Roy Benavidez recently underwent surgery which resulted in an amputation below his right knee. Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Roy is one of the greatest Heroes of the Vietnam War and an encouraging email would be a good way to let him know his courage and sacrifice have not been forgotten."

His Email address is: RPBCMH17@yahoo.com or send cards to him at the following address:

Roy Benavidez
1700 Byrne Street
El Campo, Texas 77437

"Get well soon Roy"
---Gunny

This Month's Issue

"Freedom Of Information Case In Court"
"Korean POW Escapes"
"Laos To Account for MIAs"
"National POW/MIA Chair Report to VVoA"
"Navy Day Event To Honor Ex-POW's" on Wednesday, October 21, 1998
"POW/MIA Photos"
"Russia Returns Japan POWs Remains"
"State Civil War Soldiers Unknown No More"
"Status of the POW/MIA Issue"
"Vietnam's Ability to Account for Missing Americans"

Stories:
"A Visit to Hallowed Ground"
"Spreading The News"
"Tommy's Fantom"

Poetry:
"Abbreviations"
"A Nation Forgets"
"A Time for War and a Time for Peace"
"A Time to Grieve/A Time to Dance"
"As Long as it Takes"
"F.O.I.A."
"Forsaken"
"My Country"
"Rebuilding American Pride"
"Statistics"
"The Seed Was Planted"
"Time, The Enemy"
"Winged Prayer"
"Prisoner's Prayer"
(A special poem found by a prisoner
in a Japanese prison camp in WWII)

"The Vietnam War Won't Go Away"

"Private Ryan, Front and Center, March"

Making a Difference
--and--
Planting the Seeds of Awareness

Click on banner for upcoming dates and scheduled guests
*Updated regularly*

*Editor's Note*--The following section will have a list of interesting links found by our readers that they wanted to share with others.
Links of Interest

These links will include (among other things):

  • HTML and Graphics Help Links
  • POW/MIA links
  • Veteran/Military Links
    -and-
  • Miscellaneous Links
    ______________

    Feel free to send links of interest to NL@ojc.org

    25, 30, and 35 years ago this month

    "A Marine's Return to Space"

    Interesting facts relating to military and veterans' issues occuring this month in history

    "Congress Eyes VA Health Care Cuts"
    "DoD Bars Insurance Company, Charges Deception"
    "Leaders Propose Pay Hikes, Retirement Changes"
    "Outpatient Clinics' New Policy"
    "VA Announces National Veterans Creative Arts Festival"
    "VA Enrollment"
    "VA Healthcare and Enrollment"
    "VA Hosts 3rd Annual National Oncology Symposium"

     

    Click on the links below to read back issues of "The Moonduster Chronicles"

  • September 1998

  • August 1998

  • July 1998

  • June 1998

  • March 1998

  • February 1998

  • January 1998
     
    * 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 send them to: NL@ojc.org 
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