Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
. __ .
. -*- N A M V E T -*- ____/ \_ .
. ( * .
. Managing Editor Quangtri .
. ---------------- \_/ \_ Hue .
. G. Joseph Peck \_Ashau Phu Bai .
. \_* \_ .
. Editorial Assistants * ) .
. -------------------- _/ Danang .
. Pete Farias |/ ( \_*Chu Lai .
. Sarge Hultgren --*-- \_ ------- \__ .
. /| \_ I Corps .
. Distribution Manager ------- ! .
. ------------ /\_____ ! .
. Jerry Hindle / ! .
. ! !___ .
. Section Editors ! /\____! .
. --------------- ! ! .
. IN-TOUCH: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau / Dak To ! .
. INCARCERATED VETS: Joyce Flory / * / .
. NEED-TO-KNOW: Lefty Frizzell ! \_ .
. VETERAN EMPLOYMENT: Fred Sochacki ! Phu Cat .
. MIA/POW: Marsha Ledeman * * ) .
. AGENT ORANGE: Jim Ferguson Pleiku ) .
. KEEPER OF THE LIST: Charlie Revie .
. / / .
. "In the jungles of 'Nam, some of us ( -------- ! .
. were scared and wary, but we pulled _ II Corps ! .
. one another along and were able / -------- .
. to depend on each other. That has .
. never changed. Today, free of the ! * / .
. criticisms and misunderstandings _/ Nhatrang / .
. many veterans have endured, _/ / .
. NAM VET is a shining beacon, __/ ! .
. a ray of hope, and a _ __/ ! .
. reminder that the _____( )/ ! Camranh Bay .
. lessons learned / !__ ! .
. at such a high / / .
. price shall not Bien Hoa / .
. be forgotten - ! Chu Chi * __/ .
. nor the errors \_ * --------- ___/ .
. repeated!!!" ____ III Corps _/ .
. / \_____) )_(_ --------- !__/ Duplication in .
. ! ( ___/ any form permitted .
. _____! \__ * ___/ for NONCOMMERCIAL .
. ! Saigon/ purposes ONLY! .
. \___ -------- / / .
. IV Corps / For other use, contact: .
. ) -------- / .
. / ! G. Joseph Peck (413) 442-1660 .
. / ____/ Managing Editor .
. / Mekong/ .
. ! Delta/ This newsletter is comprised of articles .
. ! ____/ and items from individuals and other .
. ! / sources. We are not responsible for the .
. ! / content of this information nor are any of .
. ! __/ NAM VETs contributors or Section Editors. .
. \_/ gjp .
. .
NAM VET Newsletter Page i
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
==================================================================
T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
**************************Part 1/7*************************************
1. Editorials
Once upon a long time ago... ............................. 1
Thanks ................................................... 3
Murphy's list continues to grow! ......................... 4
2. Sister Vets
Chronology of Vietnam Women's Memorial Project ........... 6
Monumental Difference .................................... 9
VWMP's Sister Search ..................................... 10
VWMP's Sister Search Form ................................ 11
**************************Part 2/7*************************************
3. In-Touch
EDS and VETLink helps vets get "In Touch"! ............... 12
Khe Sanh Vet searches for info on KIA brother ............ 14
They haven't forgotten US!!! ............................. 15
In-Touch: What is it??? .................................. 16
IN-TOUCH Registration/Request Form!!! .................... 19
KheSanh Vet Newsletter "Red Clay" ........................ 21
Khe Sanh Innovations and Information ..................... 22
**************************Part 3/7*************************************
4. Drums be not Silent
Freedom Now! ............................................. 23
POW Items Available ...................................... 27
Pentagon admits "POWs alive in Laos!" .................... 28
Not prepared to be abandoned! ............................ 30
Anatomy of MIA/POW Scam! ............................. 35
DIA wants to stop POW search ............................. 38
**************************Part 4/7*************************************
5. Shiftin' Sands
Desert Storm Trophies WARNING! ........................... 40
Desert Storm Vet Not Forgotten! .......................... 41
She Flies Ever High!!! ................................... 42
Long Time Now ............................................ 43
War Criminal Hussein and 'Nam PM Not? .................... 44
6. Don't drink the water!
Agent Orange & Adverse Health Effects .................... 48
NJ A/O Commission - Attention Women Vets! ................ 52
NJ Agent Orange Alert! ................................... 54
Break out the Clearasil ! ............................ 55
**************************Part 5/7*************************************
7. A Family Affair
SURVIVOR's - A program for veterans and families ......... 56
Hands Across Time ........................................ 60
Kokomo Vet Reunion... Vet groups - CHECK YOUR SIX! ....... 61
8. Veterans n' Jobtalk
EMPLOYMENT: A Report by DAV's RONALD W. DRACH ............ 63
Hiring quota's make a Job NOT a Job! ..................... 69
Applied Dedication and Commitment ....................... 71
**************************Part 6/7*************************************
9. Forgotten - again?
Veterans Forgotten? ...................................... 72
Jungle to Jail - Part 1 .................................. 77
VIET CONS ..................... 78
A visit or note once in awhile? .......................... 81
Petition/Form for POW US Postal Stamp ................... 82
10. Over Montezuma, Anchors yonder!
The Eight Days of Creation ............................... 83
The Electronic Chapel .................................... 84
To Those Born Before 1945 ................................ 85
**************************Part 7/7*************************************
11. Hmmm...
Only the Phony ... Fake Vets Cash In ..................... 87
Persevere in dealings with COVA .......................... 94
12. Charlie's Angels
VIETNAM_VETS: Where? ..................................... 98
Some Gave All... ......................................... 101
NAM VET Newsletter Page ii
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
==================================================================
Editorials
==================================================================
Once upon a long time ago...
By G. Joseph Peck
NamVet's Managing Editor
VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
Once upon a long time ago "advisors" were sent to a little country
across the sea. Soon thereafter, a US President said "Ask not
what your country can do for YOU... ask what YOU can do for your
country!" Almost immediately, there thronged to military
recruitment centers around the country hordes of young Americans,
eager and willing to do what proud countrymen had done in ages
past: Defend America and her principles - this time in a country
called Viet Nam.
With leaders that often pulled in different directions, objectives
taken only to be quickly abandoned, America super-examining HER
conscience and losing many of her finest, military strength began
to decrease and "Project 100,000" (A Great Society "brainchild"
instituted to get America's disadvantaged youth 'off the streets'
and teach military discipline and skills) was instituted. Soon
that, too, disturbed the conscience of America.
Proud defenders of freedom they, returning soldiers were treated
with less-than-honorable regard as America "punished the warriors"
for doing what their country had asked them to do.
Once upon a long time ago, too, on a cold and quiet Wyoming night,
a computer-using veteran tap-tap-tapped out a message on his
keyboard to another veteran who "understood" and "talked the same
language" into an echo called VIETNAM_VETS. A "bouncing betty" had
taken the legs from that veteran and he was confined to his home
"for the duration".
Soon, heavens that once were filled with tears melted into a link
of brotherhood. And that "brotherhood" grew and grew and grew as
more and more veterans discovered they weren't alone in their
nightmares, troubles and successes - and they began to communicate
with one another. Other "echoes" (message bases that were
exchanged with other BBSs and their users) were created as
VIETNAM_VETS discovered the wide range of topics that America's
veterans had in common - or wanted to learn more about... and
VETNet was born.
On Veterans' Day, 1987 (11/11/87) there entered into the computer-
using veterans' world an electronic newsletter that would distill
some of the information from VIETNAM_VETS and the VETNet echoes
and add other articles that all veterans (and their families)
might like to know about. "NamVet" - the electronic newsletter
by, for and about veterans and the issues that concern them -
became a monthly reality!
No "magic wand" was waved, nor was there anyone "behind the
scenes" casting spells or other incantations upon the messages in
VIETNAM_VETS and the VETNet echoes. Almost miraculously, a
NAM VET Newsletter Page 1
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
"loosening of the chains" began to take place. Veterans, once
solely focused on the "rejection" they endured when they returned
to civilian life, began to communicate about BASIC training,
weaponry used in battle, tracers, dustoffs, medevacs, soldier
"games" and happenings, EARNED veteran benefits that often were
being denied by a cold an' sterile Veterans Administration and
other agencies ... and VETLink #1 - on the scene from almost day
one - increased its efforts to touch ALL veterans.
VETLink #2 (703-471-8010), with SysOp Ray "Frenchy" Moreau at the
Herndon, VA helm, added his efforts, equipment and expertise;
VETLink #3 (314-334-6359) in Cape Girardeau, MO with SysOp Mike
Bryeans continuously added his programming expertise and an awful
lot of needed help; VETLink #4 (301-261-5644) in Shady Side, MD
with SysOp Jim Hildwine added his communications expertise; and
VETLink #5 (201-778-1879) in Passaic, NJ with SysOp Fred Sochacki
"Semper Fidelis"-ing all the way ... and the VETLink #?
BBS, each carrying the VETNet echoes, important veteran text files
and many issues of NamVet, became truly a LINKing of the proud
VETerans of our nation - with each new VETLink BBS adding a new
and sometimes colorful hue to the word VETERAN. (VETLink's 4 and
5 will soon be adding special and unique echoes to the VETNet
echoes)
Once upon a long time ago on a cold and quiet Wyoming night, a
computer-using veteran tap-tap-tapped out a message on his
keyboard to another veteran who "understood" and "talked the same
language" into an echo called VIETNAM_VETS --
...and his brothers and sisters, in an electronic way, have
answered the call!
The MORAL of this story? "Ya ain't alone, brother and sister
veteran! If you wanna talk to a brother/sister veteran or you
need veteran benefit information or want to find out about a
reunion or try to find out about a veteran you've lost contact
with, or anything else veteran-related, pop into the VIETNAM_VETS
echo or call a VETLink near you. If there ISN'T one, think about
BEING one... or ask your friendly SysOp about VETLink!!!"
'til next month
Show a brother or sister veteran
That YOU care!!!
and we might ALL "live happily ever after"
Ci'ao for Ni'ao
- Joe -
NAM VET Newsletter Page 2
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
Thanks
By Jim Hildwine
NamVet's Federal Benefits Section Editor
Dak To West/VETLink #4 - Shady Side, MD
(301) 261-5644
In our lives, we all have a dream we'd like to see come true.
To some, it's hitting the lottery for a million bucks. For others,
their family's return after divorce or separation. To others, to
find or see some place like Hawaii, or to go to the top of Mt.
Everest. Sometimes these dreams do come true, but the key factor
is not luck, it's just hard hard work, and a determination to make
that dream come true.
Among us walks a man. His dream five years ago was to do
something with a computer to help Veterans and, to be more exact,
the Vietnam Vet and Vietnam Era Vet. He has poured his life,
hours, days, weeks, months and even years to accomplishing this
fact.
A dream comes true when one day along comes a brother VetLink
#2 and it's way down south in a place called Herndon, Va. And not
long after VetLink #2, then POW! Vet Link #3 pops up and starts to
fall into place, and then out of nowhere here comes VetLink #4,
followed by Vet Link #5. Yep folks a dream is coming true. It's
not a fast dream, but its a slow, o' so painfully slow one. But
the hard work, late hours, attention to detail, and devotion to a
self-appointed duty is making this dream come true.
Some day... Some day... This nation will have VetLinks from sea
to shining sea, from Canada, to Australia, and even more.
We the proud the few and then the so many Veterans need to take
a few seconds out and thank a guy Named Gjoseph Peck. For Joe has
carried the ball for the rest of us when we were not even sure
where it was.....
So from this VetLink #4,
Thanks for a job well done.
Jim Hildwine, SysOp - Dak To West/VETLink #4
[Note from Joe: I was a little humbled in placing the above in
this month's NamVet. Jim specially asked me to. Thanks, Jim...
Its KNOWING that in some way I've been able to help make things
better for our computer-world of veterans that makes it ALL
worthwhile!
Welcome aboard, bro'!!! And Thanks for the Thanks!!!]
NAM VET Newsletter Page 3
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
Murphy's list continues to grow!
Anonymous
A special THANKS to Dave Doehrman and Khe Sanh Vets Newsletter;
Springfield, MA VVA Chapter 111; Lt. Col Jack Finch USA (Ret.) and
members of the VIETNAM_VETS International Echo for helping us keep
Murphy's list growing! Okay... now all we need is to have our
Desert Shield/Desert Storm folks let us know how Murphy treated
them? How's about it, folks?
- An Incomplete List of Murphy's Laws of Combat Operations -
1. Military intelligence can be a contradiction in terms.
2. Recoilless rifles - aren't.
3. A sucking chest wound is nature's way of telling you to slow
down.
4. The enemy diversion you are ignoring is the main attack.
5. If the enemy is within range, then so are you.
6. Friendly fire - isn't.
7. If it's stupid and works, then it ain't stupid.
8. When you have secured an area, don't forget to tell the enemy.
9. If you're short of everything except the enemy, then you're in
the combat zone.
10. Try to look unimportant. They may be low on ammo.
11. The easy way is always mined.
12. Tracers work both ways.
13. Sh*t happens.
14. Incoming fire has the right of way.
15. Teamwork is essential. It gives them other people to shoot at.
16. Never draw fire - it irritates everyone around you.
17. No combat ready unit has ever passed an inspection.
18. No inspection ready unit has ever passed combat.
19. Make it too tough for the enemy to get in and you can't get
out.
20. If both sides are convinced they're about to lose, they're
both right.
21. Professionals are predictable, but the world is full of
dangerous amateurs.
22. Fortify your front and you'll get your rear shot up.
23. When in doubt, empty your magazine.
24. In war, important things are very simple and all simple things
are hard.
25. Don't look conspicuous, it draws fire.
26. Communications will fail as soon as you need fire support.
27. Weather ain't neutral.
28. Never share a foxhole with anyone braver than you.
29. Remember, your weapon was made by the lowest bidder.
30. If you can't remember, the claymore is pointed towards you.
31. All five second grenade fuses are three seconds.
32. The only thing more accurate than incoming enemy fire is
incoming friendly.
33. If your attack is going really well, it's an ambush.
34. No OPLAN survives first contact intact.
35. If it flies, it dies.
36. When you are forward of your position, the artillery will
always be short.
37. Suppressive fire - won't.
38. You are not Superman.
39. Cavalry doesn't always come to the rescue.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 4
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
40. B-52's are the ultimate in close air support.
41. Sniper's motto: Reach out and touch someone.
42. Peace is our profession - mass murder's just a hobby.
43. Killing for peace is like whoring for virginity.
44. There's always a way.
45. Murphy was a grunt.
46. It's not the one with your name on it - it's the round
addressed "to whom it may concern" ya gotta think about.
47. Remember napalm is an area weapon.
48. Mines are equal opportunity weapons.
50. There is no such thing as the perfect plan.
51. The enemy invariably attacks on two occasions:
a. when you are ready for them.
b. when you are not ready for them.
52. Anything you do can get you shot, including nothing.
53. Marine math: 2 beers times 39 Marines is 49 cases.
54. Body Count Math: 2 VC plus 1 chicken and 3 pigs equals 37
enemy killed in action.
55. Things that must be together to work, can't be carried in the
field that way.
56. If you take more than your share of objectives, you will be
given more than your share of objectives to take.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 5
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
==================================================================
Sister Vets
==================================================================
Brief Chronology of the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project
Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc.
2001 S Street, NW - Suite 302
Washington, D.C. 20009
(202) 328-7253 FAX (202) 328-0063
Submitted by: Martha Green
VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
1983 (September) The idea for the memorial is conceived by
Diane Carlson Evans, RN, who served in Vietnam. Evans
shared her dream with Rodger M. Brodin, a noted
Minnesota sculptor. Together, using Brodin's skills as
an artist and Evans' memories of life in Vietnam, they
created a statue of a female veteran.
1984 (April) To place this statue at the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial in Washington, D.C., the Vietnam Women's
Memorial Project is incorporated as a nonprofit
volunteer organization. Its additional goals are to
educate the public about the role of women during the
Vietnam war and to locate the women who served.
1985-1986 Resolutions are passed at the national conventions of
major veterans organizations supporting the efforts of
the Project: The American Legion, Disabled American
Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Vietnam Veterans of
America, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Jewish War
Veterans.
1986 (May) FIRST APPROVAL OBTAINED. The Vietnam Veterans
Memorial Fund, Inc. chaired by John Wheeler and
President Jan Scruggs, approve the placement of a
women's memorial at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
1986-1987 Fundraising, education, public relations and Sister
Search activities continue.
1987 (September) SECOND APPROVAL OBTAINED. Secretary of the
Interior approves the concept of placing a Vietnam
Women's Memorial at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
1987 (October) FINE ARTS COMMISSION REJECTS PROPOSAL for
memorial in public hearing by a 4-1 vote.
1987 (November) S.J. 215 is introduced in the senate
authorizing a Vietnam Women's Memorial at the Vietnam
Veterans Memorial and companion bill H.R. 3628 is
introduced in the House.
1988 (February) Hearings are held on S.J. 2042 before the
Senate Subcommittee on Public Lands, National Parks and
Forests to complete the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with
a Vietnam Women's Memorial.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 6
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
1988 (May) To comply with the Commemorative Works Act, the
law governing the process for the authorization and
placement of approved memorials, the VWMP must receive
site approval before it can proceed with the
presentation of a memorial design for approval.
1988 (June) Project Headquarters move from Minneapolis to
Washington, D.C.
1988 (June) Senate passes S.J. 2042 by a vote of 96-1.
1988 (June) Hearings held before the House Subcommittee on
Libraries and Memorials.
1988 (September) House of Representatives rejects the
language of S.J. 2042, and on September 23 passes
another version of the bill to authorize a memorial to
women who served in Vietnam. However, language does
not specify the site of the memorial, other than it be
placed on federal lands in Washington, D.C. or its
environs. This adds a level of concern that without
specification, the memorial could be built in a less
appropriate place.
1988 (October 12) The Senate passes an amended version of
S.J. 2042 as passed by the House, authorizing that the
memorial be placed on federal lands in Washington, D.C.
or its environs.
1988 (October 21) Just hours before the adjournment of the
100th Congress, the House rejects the Senate's
amendment. The Senate receded to the House position.
1988 (November 15) President Reagan signs S.J. 2042, which
becomes Public Law 100-600, authorizing the approval
for a Vietnam Women's Memorial.
1989 (October 31) Senate approves Area I site specificity
for the Vietnam Women's Memorial.
1989 (November 17) House approves Area I site specificity
for the Vietnam Women's Memorial.
1989 (November 28) President Bush signs legislation
authorizing Area I site for the Vietnam Women's
Memorial.
1990 (April) National Capital Memorial Commission and
Commission of Fine Arts approve specific sites within
Area I for the Vietnam Women's Memorial.
1990 (May) National Capital Memorial Commission approves
specific sites within Area I for the Vietnam Women's
Memorial.
1990 (August 20) National Open One-Stage Design Competition
launched for design of the Vietnam Women's Memorial.
1990 (Veterans Day) Co-Finalists and Honorable Mentions of
NAM VET Newsletter Page 7
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
Design Competition announced at Press Conference,
National Building Museum, Washington, D.C.
1991 (June) Glenna Goodacre, Santa Fe, New Mexico, Honorable
Mention Winner, selected by VWMF Board of Directors to
design the Vietnam Women's Memorial.
1991 (September 12) Vietnam Women's Memorial approval by
National Capital Memorial Commission.
1991 (September 19) Vietnam Women's Memorial to be presented
before Commission of Fine Arts for final approval.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 8
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
Even a small donation
can make a monumental difference.
Efforts are now underway to erect a monument on the grounds of the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial that recognizes the role played by women
veterans. The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project is conducting this
drive as part of a larger effort to educate all Americans about
the vital services provided by over 265,000 women, military and
civilian, during the Vietnam War.
O
O O
O O
O O
O O
O O
O O Your contribution, large or small,
O O will help ensure that these women's
O O sacrifices are not forgotten.
O __________ O
O ) O
/(O) / O
/ / O
/ VIETNAM /
/ WOMEN'S /HONORING
/ MEMORIAL / THE
/ PROJECT / WOMEN
/ / WHO
/ / SERVED /
(__________/ /
/
/
/
_
/_/ Yes, I want to help honor America's Women Vietnam veterans.
My tax-deductible contribution is enclosed.
_
/_/ Send me more information abut how I can help make this dream
a reality.
_
/_/ I am a woman who served during the Vietnam era.
NAME ____________________________________________________________
ADDRESS _________________________________________________________
CITY ______________________________________ STATE ______________
ZIP ____________________ PHONE __________________________________
Clip and mail along with your contribution to:
VWMP
2001 S St., NW Suite 710
Washington, DC 20009
VIETNAM WOMEN'S MEMORIAL PROJECT
A legacy of Healing and Hope
NAM VET Newsletter Page 9
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc.
"Sister Search"
Submitted by: Martha Green
VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project's "SISTER SEARCH" is a
program designed to locate the military and civilian women who
served their country during the Vietnam War.
The goals of "SISTER SEARCH" are to facilitate hope and healing
among women veterans; to provide a network for them; and to assist
research efforts on women who served during the Vietnam War.
Vietnam era women veterans are asked to provide as much
information as they feel comfortable sharing. Although "Sister
Search" is NOT a locator service, should an inquiry be made as to
whereabouts of a person included in the "SISTER SEARCH" database,
the VWMP will pass the inquiry along in writing to the individual,
allowing her to decide whether she would like to respond. If the
individual is deceased, the inquiry will be sent to the closest
family member identified by the VWMP.
All women veterans in the "SISTER SEARCH" database will
periodically receive information on the Project's progress and
ultimately receive an invitation to the dedication ceremonies in
Washington, D.C.
The Vietnam Women's Memorial Project is a non-profit, volunteer
organization with the threefold purpose of: educating the public
about the women who served during the Vietnam era; locating and
providing a network for these women; and placing a realistic
representation of a Vietnam woman veteran on the grounds of the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. The Project has the
support of every major veterans group in America, including the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
For more information, contact:
"SISTER SEARCH"
Vietnam Women's Memorial Project
2001 'S' Street NW
Suite #302
Washington DC 20009
NAM VET Newsletter Page 10
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
Vietnam Women's Memorial Project, Inc.
2001 'S' Street NW - Suite 302 - Washington DC 20009
(202) 328-7253 FAX: (202) 328-0063
Submitted by: Martha Green
VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
SISTER SEARCH
Name:________________________Vietnam Era Name: ___________________
(If different)
Address:_____________________________________ Work #: ____/_______
City:________________ State: __ Zip:________ Home #:
Branch of Service or
Civilian Organization: ___________________________________________
In-Country (Vietnam)
Assignment #1: ___________________________________________________
Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________
Assignment #2: ___________________________________________________
Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________
Assignment #3: ___________________________________________________
Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________
Vietnam Era (1959-1975)
Assignment: ______________________________________________________
Start Date: ___________________________ End Date: ________________
The Project receives inquires from the press and researchers in
search of Vietnam era women veterans who are willing to share
their experiences.Your participation as a press/research/education
contact is strictly optional.
I authorize the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project to release my
name to individuals or organizations who are seeking information
on Vietnam era women veterans for press inquirries, research or
educational activities.
Signature ________________________________________ Date __________
I authorize the Vietnam Women's Memorial Project to release my
name to the National Associate Volunteer, Regional and/or State
Coordinator in my area.
-------------------|
FOR OFFICE USE |
DATE RECEIVED: |
| Signature ___________________ Date __________
TRANSFER: |
| Please list the names and addresses of any
ENTER: | other Vietnam era women veterans you know on
| the back of this form.
|
COMMENTS: |
-------------------| Thank you for participating in SISTER SEARCH
NAM VET Newsletter Page 11
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
==================================================================
In-Touch
==================================================================
EDS and VETLINK helps vets get In Touch
By Ray "Frenchy" Moreau
NamVet's In-Touch Section Editor
Herndon Byte Exchange/VETLink #2 - Herndon, VA
(703) 471-8010
Ninety-six people have volunteered their time at the tenth annual
Vietnam Veterans Reunion in Kokomo, Indiana from September 12
through 15, 1991 to help others learn more about family members or
fellow veterans who were lost in the Vietnam war.
The "In Touch" program, which combines computer technology with
the work of Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, was in
operation Friday through Sunday - 9/12-15. The "Buddy Search"
which uses an online Bulletin Board System software called OSIRIS
was linked via the Delco Switch to the Herndon Byte
eXchange/Veterans Memorial Gateway BBS in Herndon, VA. The System
Operator, Ray "Frenchy" Moreau, is a technical manager with EDS
who designed the "In Touch" system and was the recipient of 1991
FOSE Award. Frenchy is also a retired Senior Chief Petty Officer
of the United States Navy with over four tours in Vietnam. The
"Buddy Search" and associated data bases is available to the
public via their nearest Vetlink or FIDONET backbone on the
International Vietnam Veterans Echo Conference (IVVEC). More than
ten major VETLinks are now in place and its presence is creating
interest among many large groups including EDS.
The weekend effort marked the second year that "In Touch" made its
presence and the first year for a new online "Buddy" search
system. Both were extremely successful. EDS had one AT system
next to the moving Wall in order to facilitate the search for our
Wall vets. Three additional AT systems were located in the non-
profit tent and were primarily used to locate family, relatives
and friends of our KIA and MIA brothers.
More than 25,000 requests were made of the "In Touch" systems.
More than 2,000 entries were provided for the "Buddy Search"
online system.
All data that was gathered during the reunion will be entered by
EDS volunteers in Herndon as well as the Friends in Washington,
DC.
The Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a non-profit
organization that supports the National Park Service by helping
the thousands of people who visit the Wall on a daily basis.
Friends also provides educational services, assistance to Vietnam
veterans and volunteers who help at the memorial.
Frenchy was involved for the entire EDS effort in Kokomo. "Many of
the vets were still grasping out of the 60's" Frenchy stated.
"You could smell the booze throughout the tent area; yet, not one
can or bottle of booze was anywhere next or close to the moving
Wall." Frenchy stated that in many ways he felt ashamed,
especially when the local police busted up some "vegetable matter"
NAM VET Newsletter Page 12
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
users. He ended the conversation with "Yes, I felt shame, but I
also looked in their eyes and was able to see the depth of pain,
the longing to belong to something, someone or an organization".
He also stated that "People who live in glass houses should not
throw stones, in retrospect they should reach out to assist. We
have turned our heads on many, let's not turn our heads on our
brothers."
NAM VET Newsletter Page 13
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
Khe Sanh Vet searches for info on KIA brother
Input by Dave Doehrman
Semper Fi BBS - Ft. Wayne, IN
(219) 424-4292
The following was copied from the "Khe Sanh Veteran Newsletter".
Hopefully someone can help.
I have been looking for information about my brother, PFC Michael
Glenn Lipsius, D Co, 5th Bn, 7th CAV, 2nd Bde, 1st Air Cav, KIA
4/19/68.
He participated in Operation Pegasus to relieve Khe Sanh, and from
there headed for A Shau Valley, where he was shot down. My brother
and I were from a broken family. He did not know where my dad was,
we did not know where he was, for 12 years. While in Vietnam, Mike
somehow got our Dad's address and wrote a letter home. The next
day we got the telegram. All these years I have had a difficult
time knowing him only as "the remains", and pretending he never
existed is not possible. Any assistance or information you could
offer would be greatly appreciated.
Jane Lipsius Barnes
7 Plymouth Pl.
Williamsville, NY 14221
NAM VET Newsletter Page 14
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
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N O T F O R
" Bring them home --- NOW !!! "
NAM VET Newsletter Page 15
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
In-Touch. What is it ???
Input by: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau
NAM VETs IN-TOUCH Section Editor
Herndon Byte eXchange/VETLink #2 - Herndon, VA
(703) 471-8010
=================================================================
|+++++++++++++++++++++++++ IN TOUCH ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++|
| There are some 43 million people in the United States whose |
| lives were directly and irrevocably touched by the Vietnam |
| War. |
| |
| Almost four million people served in Vietnam -- the longest, |
| and perhaps most difficult, war in our history. More than a |
| quarter of a million were seriously wounded. 58,175 are dead |
| or missing. |
| |
| Each of those who returned recognizes the true cost of war. |
| But so too do the families and friends, wives and lovers of |
| those listed on the Wall. They too paid a tremendous price, |
| not always recognized... many still do. |
| |
| Though twenty years have passed, it seems that is the period |
| people have needed to get the distance necessary to begin to |
| address the unresolved, deeply personal issues that have |
| been haunting them since the war. Perhaps that is a measure |
| of the pain. |
| |
| But, the "healing of a nation" that was intended by the |
| building of the Memorial, has begun. |
| |
| In the office of the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans |
| Memorial, we hear them on the other end of the phone on |
| any given day, and far into the night, they call from all |
| corners of the country. |
| |
| "If only I could find out..." |
| "I need to find his family so I can keep my promise..." |
| "I just want to talk to someone who was with him... " |
| "Please, can you help...?" |
| |
| At the Wall, we find them every day. Veterans who have not |
| spoken of their experiences even to their most intimate |
| family members are now beginning, tentatively, to seek a |
| responsive ear. |
| |
| Brothers and sisters, parents and even wives who were simply |
| never allowed full expression of their grief because of the |
| fierce pressures of the time, are now coming forward, |
| looking for someone who can help with their healing. |
| |
| We hear from children, now 15 - 25 years old, who are |
| searching for bits and pieces of information they can |
| assemble to help fill that empty place in their lives that |
| is the father they never knew well, if at all. And they want |
| to talk to each other, to share their special needs and the |
| unique experience of growing up with a father on the Wall. |
| They understand each other all too well. |
NAM VET Newsletter Page 16
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
| |
| Millions of Americans need to meet and talk because of the |
| Wall, and only the Friends can help them. |
| |
| Initial discussions with many other national organizations |
| whose work brings them into contact with Vietnam veterans |
| and their loved ones have attested to the need for IN TOUCH |
| and their willingness to help. |
| |
| Simply put, the Friends will draw on its special work at the |
| Memorial, its acquired and available data bases and |
| programs designed and integrated by Electronic Data Systems |
| (EDS), and the commitment and concern of its volunteers to |
| place people with a common association to a name on the Wall |
| to be in voluntary communication with each other. |
| |
| From there, we will let human nature take its good course. |
| And let the healing begin. |
| |
| The starting point for the data base will be the more than |
| twenty thousand names of people who have requested name |
| rubbings from our volunteers in Washington. Each will be |
| contacted and given the opportunity to participate by being |
| listed in the IN TOUCH central data base file. |
| |
| Confidentiality is the keyword to cooperation and IN TOUCH |
| will respect the integrity of all lists and records. Lists |
| will be unavailable for public use and will not be |
| distributed for any commercial purpose. |
| |
| By its nature, IN TOUCH must reach far beyond the veterans |
| community in order to be successful. With professional |
| guidance, the Friends will develop a program of on-going |
| articles and other coverage in major media markets, high- |
| lighting the personal experiences of people as they are put |
| "in touch." The International Vietnam Veterans Echo |
| Conference via the Herndon Byte eXchange 1:109/316 node as |
| the enter point for gathering and disseminating information |
| will be used. Aside from bringing the program into public |
| awareness, these articles and stories will serve as a val- |
| uable tool for public education on a wealth of matters |
| relating to the Vietnam era. |
| |
| As a preliminary test of the IN TOUCH project, the Friends |
| has implemented a pilot project to test the design and |
| demands of such a program. Several hundred requests with |
| full background information have been entered into a system |
| designed to match requestor data with the existing Memorial |
| data. Even with such a small sample, limited data and a |
| fairly unsophisticated cross-indexing system, matches have |
| been made and IN TOUCH has produced its first real |
| connections. The results have been as profoundly moving for |
| the participants as expected. And as gratifying for the |
| Friends. |
| |
| But it was clear that the information management system and |
| the supporting hardware system would have to be more power- |
| ful and more complex in order to handle thousands, perhaps |
| hundreds of thousands, of requests. Confidentiality of the |
NAM VET Newsletter Page 17
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
| system and information must be paramount. |
| |
| With well over 2,000 Vietnam veterans, Electronic Data |
| Systems (EDS) became involved and has been generous in its |
| assistance with designing the data management systems which |
| will be critical to a successful program. The Friends have |
| reached a three-year working agreement with EDS which |
| promises continuity and maximum potential for success in |
| building an information bank that can truly help people in |
| their search for others who knew a loved one. |
| |
| The Friends are delighted that Bob Hope has agreed to make |
| a public service announcement which we can use on radio and |
| television to help get the word out to the public on the |
| availability of the service. |
| |
| The Friends are also pleased to note that Hewlett Packard, |
| Zenith Data Systems, Borland International, FASTCOMM |
| Communications Corporation and the First National Bank of |
| Chicago have all contributed computer equipment, computer |
| software, and office equipment to the project, so they are |
| beginning to feel fully functional. |
| |
| The Friends hear from people who have long been living with |
| the pain of loss and looking for a way to heal. For |
| instance, the Friends recently received a letter from a |
| woman who wrote: |
| |
| Dear Friends: |
| For quite some time I have been searching for a |
| way to know my brother. It seems hopeless at times. |
| I was 12 when he was killed... I had waited for the |
| day he would come back to us. He never did. A part |
| of me will always be 12 and continue to wait. |
| Thank you for giving me hope that there may be |
| a way to find him and bring him home to my heart..." |
| |
| + + + |
| |
| The Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial |
| Electronic Data Systems |
| Herndon Byte eXchange TCOMMnet BBS 1:109/316 |
| |
|+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++|
NAM VET Newsletter Page 18
Volume 5, Number 9 September 17, 1991
IN-TOUCH Registration/Request Form
THIS FORM REQUIRES SIGNATURE FOR CONFIDENTIALITY RELEASE
PLEASE READ BELOW
------------------------------------------------------------------
I wish to be IN TOUCH with (Please circle and/or comment) Family,
Friends and/or Fellow Veterans of the following:
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
----------- PERSON WHO DID NOT COME BACK FROM VIETNAM ------------
First Name_____________ Middle Name___________ Last Name__________
Relationship to You and/or Reason for Request
(Answer as fully as possible)_____________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
==================================================================
-------- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT HIM/HER - IF KNOWN ---------
Rank_______ Birth Date ______________ Soc. Sec. # ________________
Tour Date of Birth _______________ Where Buried __________________
Branch of Service: AR__ NA__ AF__ MC__ CG__ RC__ CIV__
(Fill in his/her equivalent unit designations in the spaces below)
Di
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