Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
. __ .
. -*- N A M V E T -*- ____/ \_ .
. ( * .
. Managing Editor Quangtri .
. ---------------- \_/ \_ Hue .
. G. Joseph Peck \_Ashau Phu Bai .
. \_* \_ .
. Distribution Manager * ) .
. -------------------- _/ Danang .
. Jerry Hindle |/ ( \_*Chu Lai .
. --*-- \_ ------- \__ .
. Section Editors /| \_ I Corps .
. --------------- ------- ! .
. IN-TOUCH: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau /\_____ ! .
. INCARCERATED VETS: Joyce Flory / ! .
. VETERAN BENEFITS: Jim Hildwine ! !___ .
. AGENT ORANGE: Jim Ferguson ! /\____! .
. NEED-TO-KNOW: Lefty Frizzell ! ! .
. MIA/POW: Marsha Ledeman / Dak To ! .
. VETERAN EMPLOYMENT: Fred Sochacki / * / .
. KEEPER OF THE LIST: Charlie Revie ! \_ .
. ! Phu Cat .
. * * ) .
. Pleiku ) .
. -*- N A M V E T -*- .
. / / .
. "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 10 October 24, 1991
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T A B L E O F C O N T E N T S
1. Editorials n' Stuff
We're still here? ........................................ 1
Marsha's .357 Bamboo Machete ............................. 2
Additions to Murphy's Laws of Combat Operations .......... 8
Ask the Veterans' Affairs Counselor ...................... 10
2. Drums be not Silent
Step-by-Step MIA/POW Advocacy! ........................... 11
Personal MIA/POW Affidavit ............................... 23
Organizational MIA/POW Affidavit ......................... 24
They haven't forgotten US!!! ............................. 25
3. In-Touch
In-Touch ... or Soft-Touch? .............................. 26
In-Touch: What is it??? .................................. 28
L'chayim ................................................. 31
4. Together then...
Still fighting Vietnam ................................... 32
Hands Across Time ........................................ 34
When remembering is too much... .......................... 35
5. Forgotten - again?
Incarcerated Veterans Bill ............................... 38
A visit or note once in awhile? .......................... 44
Jungle to Jail - Part 2 .................................. 45
Viet Cons - Part 2 ....................................... 46
6. Don't drink the water!
A History of Agent Orange ................................ 49
Break out the Clearasil ! ............................ 64
7. The Chapel at NamVet
NAM VET - Making Peace with Your Past .................... 65
NamVet's Electronic Chapel ............................... 72
8. Veterans n' Jobtalk
VETS - Federal Veteran Employment Watchdog ............... 73
Have You Considered On-The-Job or Apprenticeship Training? 74
OPM FEDERAL JOB INFORMATION OFFICES ...................... 77
PUBLIC LAW 102-16 MAR. 22,1991 .......................... 83
9. Shiftin' Sands
Desert Storm Hero Wins A War At Home .................... 93
10. Sister Vets
VWMP's Sister Search ..................................... 95
Monumental Difference .................................... 96
VWMP's Sister Search Form ................................ 97
11. Charlie's Angels
Where do YOU get NamVet??? ............................... 98
VIETNAM_VETS and NamVet: Where? .......................... 99
Some Gave All... ......................................... 102
NAM VET Newsletter Page ii
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
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Editorials n' Stuff
==================================================================
We're still here?
By G. Joseph Peck
NamVet's Managing Editor
VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
We'll soon be marking our fourth year of producing NamVet. I
can remember forever ago when Todd and I first began this project.
Seemed like a real neat, nifty idea - a way to collect and save
all the important veteran information that either one of us
happened to see flyin' by in the VIETNAM_VETS echo. I remember,
too, how BOTH of us felt as we birthed another issue: "How will
our brother/sister veterans think of THIS issue?" Time marched
on, another issue deadline came, and another NamVet was born and
put into the electronic pipeline that connects us all together.
NamVet has grown... and shrunk... and grown again to what it is
today: YOUR electronic newsletter by, for and about the things
that concern YOU and your brother/sister veterans. Our audience,
too, has grown... and shrunk... and grown again to include spouses
and children of veterans; educational institutions and facilities;
libraries and, thanks to the hard, hard work of Joyce Flory (no
blushin' now, Joyce), our incarcerated brothers and sisters.
Speaking of "audiences" - you'll notice just before the
Charlie's Angels report a NamVet Survey Form that (here's
that name again) Joyce has so willingly volunteered to collect and
report on (Doesn't that fine lady EVER stop "volunteering"?).
Please take a few moments out of your enjoyable reading of this
month's NamVet , tear out the page (or, better yet, just
make a photocopy of it), complete and mail it (If we COULD, we
would have included the postage - but that's an investment we're
gonna have to ask YOU to make to help us find out WHERE our NamVet
goes to and who's reading it).
A note on the Fourth Anniversary Edition: Our Anniversary
editions have become, in a sense, the "best of NamVet" -- I'd like
to ask YOU and those around you to take a little time, look over
the past issues of NamVet, and send in YOUR vote or note
concerning which article you've seen in a past NamVet that was
most meaningful or helpful or ??? to YOU. I still haven't quite
figured out exactly WHAT we should include in an Anniversary issue
but, up until now, what we HAVE been putting in them are those
articles/stories/recipies (Heya Scott! Where's that Tobasco
recipe book!!!) that have impacted either the staff of NamVet or
its readers. How's about YOUR suggestions???
'Til next month...
Show a brother/sister veteran
that YOU care!!!
Ci'ao for Ni'ao
- Joe -
NAM VET Newsletter Page 1
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
Marsha's .357 Bamboo Machete
By Marsha Ledeman
NamVet MIA/POW Section Editor
VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
October 15, 1991
Letters to the Editor:
Dear Sir,
I have on more than one occasion written a letter to you and
received no answer at all, so therefore I do not expect much this
time either but I feel strongly enough about this issue to keep
trying.
Not more than a month ago, the government DID say that the
photograph of Capt. Donald Carr MIA Special Forces Green Beret
shot down over Laos in 1971, was an authentic photo. Yet they now
tell us they cannot find the area that he is being held in.
Our Senate Select Committee on POW/MIA affairs was formed or
rather was approved and Sen. John Kerry of MA was elected chairman
of that committee. He then proceeded with supposed rigor to state
that he would embark on a "hot lead" trip to Laos, taking his two
teenage daughters at his own expense. I ask you what kind of a
"hot lead" was he following? Did they have a huge sale in Bangkok
where the girls had to go shopping? You do not take teenage girls
into the jungles of Laos if you are, in fact, following "hot
leads".
Now we are bombarded with nothing from the newspapers, and or
media, except the Thomas mini-trial. Every paper for the last week
and a half, has had nothing but this trial. The front page of all
the newspapers sees fit to expose this along with large pictures
but not a word about the Live POWs that are still languishing in
Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.
Where do your priorities lie? Obviously not with live
servicemen that were sent to fight a war they were not allowed to
win and left behind to be abandoned by the very same government
that sent them there.
When should issues of the nature of the Thomas-Hill subject come
before the living human beings this government abandoned?
You and all the other newspapers, must be too afraid of
offending the government to print any truth about the POW/MIAs.
Every time we make such headway, something comes along and takes
the pull away from this issue.
I had been raised on the Seattle Times, but I stopped it in
favor of the Seattle Post Intelligencer who, at the time, was not
afraid to print the news on the POW/MIA Issue. We are very
disappointed with the lack of human caring that the papers, media,
and etc. has for these men and their families.
The government has not yet proved that the picture of the three
POWs - Robertson, Stevens, and Lundy - is fake, although according
to the newspapers, it has been proved. Don't you people ever
check facts first before printing things like that? And have you
been able to add anything to the mysterious disappearance of all
three of those men's fingerprints?
I realize this is a long letter, and the chances of it even
being read are probably nil, but we needed to say this anyway.
Until the papers get some grit and nerve, and are willing to put
this issue on the front page, the American people will never get
NAM VET Newsletter Page 2
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
their true answers. Too bad that all of the media, and newspaper
reporters scare so easily.
There are many, many issues to fight for, but only one of them
involves the living men that this government abandoned. This is a
travesty in this great country that must be aired and corrected.
We have these men to thank for our freedom, we do not have
Marshall Law, we do not have to stand in line for bread. We are
free because we had men willing to fight for that freedom. Do you
think the next generation of men will be willing to fight for a
country that will abandon them if they are captured? What kind of
man will now join the armed forces? I see nothing but criminals
who are running from the law enlisting anymore. If you were to
believe you would not be accounted for should you become MIA,
would you join the armed forces???
I think not...
Sincerely,
Dale and Marsha Ledeman
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Seattle, Wa. 98125-7319
=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=
September 26, 1991
Several of you asked where I got my POW/MIA rings and also my
satin jacket. We ordered them both from Task Force Omega on
Illinois...
The rings are $5.00 each they come in blue, red, and brushed
silver. Any name you want can be put on these rings...
The satin jackets come with the logo on the back. They are
$30.00 each up to size xxxlrg. and that one is $40.00 ...they have
small, med, lrg. x-lrg, xx-lrg. and xxx-lrg...
These can be ordered from the new executive director, Rich
Wilusz 4201-S. Center Lyons, Ill. 60534
There is a four dollar shipping and handling charge, but I did
not get charged for my rings just the jackets and the other things
I ordered...
=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=
One more thing of interest for those who do not yet have this
information is: Where to reach Col. Millard "Mike" Peck for
letters of support to be sent to him which I feel he richly
deserves write him at:
Col. Millard "Mike" Peck
3710-George Mason
Falls Church, VA. 22141
I hope you all will send him a note of thanks for what he has
done, he has essentially given up a long career to help with this
issue and to stand by his beliefs and we are happy to have someone
like him believe as we have for years that our POW/MIAs were
abandoned and are alive in Southeast Asia.
Thank you all, Marsha
=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=
NAM VET Newsletter Page 3
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
These are excerpts from the September/October 1991 Illinois Task
Force Omega group newsletter.
Some things we all should know and some things we all should be
doing...
___________________________________________________________
I understand that the new book "Bamboo Cage" is outstanding, and
makes Kiss The Boys Goodbye looks like a grade school primer,
however the author has been unable to get it published in the
United States, he is from England.
Here is a way for you to purchase this book if you so choose...
and cheaper than if you ordered it from England.
*Homecoming II has Nigel Cawthorne's book BAMBOO CAGE available
for $38.00 including shipping and handling. Mail checks to
Homecoming II 5154 Piedmont Pl, Annadale, VA. 22003. Allow 3 - 4
weeks for delivery.
___________________________________________________________
* The following is a summary of a presentation given by Mark
Reinig of Britt Small and Festival and sysop on the POW Network at
a Skidmore Reunion recently:
It was stated that there are certain indicators that the
Vietnamese government and the Vietnamese people are willing to
resolve the POW issue. However they are receiving confusing
signals. They are hearing statements like the following:
^ In 1987, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Vernon Walter -
who had been deputy director of CIA when George Bush was Director
- said that it would be "detrimental" for the Vietnamese to
"surface" living American POW's.
^ In August 1991, soon after returning from visiting Vietnam as a
part of a congressional delegation, Arizona Republican congressman
Jim Kolbe stated in a radio interview that if American POW's
should "walk out" it would destroy relations between the U.S. and
Vietnam for "years or decades".
^ Also in August 1991, Wyoming Republican Senator Alan Simpson
said it would be foolish for the Vietnamese to still be holding
American prisoners as, if discovered, they would be shamed as
"pariahs of the earth and the foul stench of humanity" for 50
years. He also said that Vietnam's effort toward normalizing
relations with the rest of the world may include killing any POWs
still alive to be "sure that there was no one alive in order that
then they would be accepted in the family of nations."
If the Vietnamese are to believe that the feelings of Americans
are the same as those expressed by our leaders, as stated above,
then it must surely appear that the LIVE POWs are a hindrance in
the effort to normalize relations.
It was stated that we must do everything we can to convince
them that we KNOW they have authority over living American POWs
and that lifting the U.S. trade embargo against Vietnam and/or
normalizing diplomatic relations will be impossible until and
unless those POWs are RELEASED...
NAM VET Newsletter Page 4
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
We must write letters and encourage others to write letters
stating that official statements do NOT reflect the feelings of
the American public; that we need our LIVE POWS released; that
then, and only then, can the United States and Vietnam work toward
"normalization".
Letters can be sent to: Mission of the SRV to the UN
20 Waterside Plaza, New York, NY 10012
___________________________________________________________
THE FOLLOWING WAS PROVIDED BY MIKE VAN ATTA. IT OFFERS A GREAT
DEAL OF DIRECTION AS FAR AS WHO TO WRITE, AND WHAT TO ASK FOR...
Dear Insiders,
(This information service, provides Bush appointees and the
American public with facts and proof that Vietnam, Laos, and
Cambodia still hold US Prisoners, alive, in captivity, in their
prison systems in 1991.)
SO YOU WANT TO INVESTIGATE THE LIVE POW PROBLEM?
Where does one get hard factual information on the POW's, who
were captured alive but not released? If you contact the White
House, who is responsible for all soldiers, you will be referred
to DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency). If you contact Congress or
the Senate, they will express their concern but will refer you to
DIA. If you contact CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) they will
refer you to DIA. If you contact the FBI they will tell you to
contact the DIA. If you contact the President Foreign Intelligence
Review Board, you will be referred to DIA. If you contact the
State Department I and R, (Intelligence and Research) department,
you will be referred to DIA. If you contact NSA (National Security
Agency) at Ft. George G. Meade, MD. you will again be referred to
DIA. If you contact NSC (National Security Council) you will still
be referred to DIA...
So, if you contact DIA, they will tell you that all the
Intelligence information they have on POW's or Americans who were
captured alive but not released is Classified, and deny your
request. (Does this sound like a bureaucratic runaround?)
So, if you want to investigate the live POW problem where do you
turn for information???
You must look at several private, civilian suppliers of POW
information to get a clear view of what the truth is about
Americans who were captured alive but not released. I can strongly
suggest that you put your hands on the following information:
1. Contact Mike Milne with the Veterans of the Vietnam War at
1-800-Vietnam and purchase the film: "MIAs We Can Keep You
Forever", cost is $20.00 and that includes postage and handling.
You will see, firsthand, 10 people who say they saw live U.S. POWs
in S.E. ASIA still held as POW's. The film outlines 10 discrepancy
cases, where Americans were captured alive but were not released.
It also reviews some of the hard copy documents in CIA's files,
interviews families of MIAs and presents the official U.S.
government policy on POWs.
2. Contact Red McDaniel at the American Defense Institute and
buy a copy of the book; "Kiss The Boys Goodbye" by Monika Jensen-
Stevenson and William Stevenson. For $20.00 you will read a
history of the live POW movement written by a former 60 minutes
NAM VET Newsletter Page 5
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
reporter and see some of the information she uncovered. Red has
several books available, one new one is the; "Bamboo Cage" by
Nigel Cawthorne which I highly recommend. Call: (703) 519-7000.
(Note the Stevenson's book is now out in paperback at most
major book store outlets for $10.95.)
3. Obtain a copy of a list of non-fiction books written on
the subject of POWs. The list has over 300 books listed with an
outline of each POW that is discussed in each book. The cost is
between $3.00 and $10.00.
Write to: F. C. Brown
18 Reed Avenue - Hamilton Township, NJ 08610
After you have reviewed all of this information you will have a
great deal of knowledge about some of the men who were captured
alive but not released...
THE SECOND PART OF YOUR EDUCATION PROCESS:
This will be for you to write to some U.S. government officials,
who are in charge of solving the live POW problem and get their
input.
1. Write to the CIA and ask them to give you a computer print
out that lists all the declassified files/records they have on the
subject of: American POWs in Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. Also ask
them to provide you will a listing of the Presidents Daily
Intelligence Summary, briefing books in which live POW information
is given.
Address this to: Lee S. Strickland
Information and Privacy Coordinator
Central Intelligence Agency
Washington, D.C. 20505
2. Write to the FBI and ask them for a list of the cases in
which they received finger prints from the DIA to identify
Americans missing in S.E. Asia. In addition, ask the FBI to list
the cases in which it has done photo comparisons for DIA on pre-
and post capture pictures, using their computer enhanced photo
overlay process.
Address this to: Federal Bureau of Investigation
1776 J.E.H. Building
Washington, D.C. 20530
3. Write to the State Department and ask them to provide a
list of the times the DIA has asked the State Department to use
its diplomats or the diplomats of friendly foreign countries to
investigate cases where missing Americans were reportedly seen
alive in S.E. Asia.
Address this to: Douglas P. Mulholland
Assistant Secretary for Intelligence
Department of State
2201 C. St. NW, Room 6531
Washington, D.C. 20520
4. Write to the NSC and ask how many times has President Bush
been briefed on the live POW problem?
Address this to: Peter S. Watson
Director of Asian Affairs
National Security Council
Old Executive Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20506
5. Write to the NSA and ask them to outline a list of times
they have been asked by the White House to collect electronic
intelligence on locations in S.E. Asia where American prisoners of
NAM VET Newsletter Page 6
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
war were reportedly seen alive.
Address this to: Vice Admiral William Studman
Director, NSA
National Security Agency
Ft. George G. Meade, MD. 20755-6000
6. Write to the Presidents Foreign Intelligence Advisory
Board and ask how many times they have prepared intelligence
summaries and briefed President Bush on prisoners of war.
Address this to: Bobby Innman
Chairman of the President's Foreign
Intelligence Advisory Board
334 Old Executive Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20500
7. Finally, write to DIA and ask them how many times, in the
last year, they have given a briefing on the POWs to President
Bush.
Address this to: Lt. General Harry Soyster
Director, DIA
The Pentagon
Washington, D.C. 20301
This report is put together to give you the benefit of many
years of experience and point you in the direction that will
produce the most effective results. Should any of these contacts
fail to respond, let me know.
Now that you have completed all of the above required
assignments, it is time to contact your Senator and Congressman
and tell them that "YOU" have a briefing that you want to give to
them, because you will, most likely know more about the POWs than
they will.
So, now call your Congressman and Senator (202) 224-3121
Sincerely, Michael Van Atta (201) 701-0238
P.O. Box 302
Chatham, NJ 07928
NAM VET Newsletter Page 7
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
Additions to Murphy's Laws of Combat Operations
Submitted by Ken Flory
Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM
(505) 523-2811
Some additions from the Special Forces Collection: (You may notice
a difference in the Enlisted point of view)
(The ongoing list will be published in our 4th Annual NamVet)
51. If you can keep your head while those around you are losing
theirs, you may have misjudged the situation.
52. If two things are required to make something work, they will
never be shipped together.
53. Anything you do can get you shot, including nothing.
54. Whenever you lose contact with the enemy, look behind you.
55. The most dangerous thing in the combat zone is an officer
with a map.
56. The quartermaster has only two sizes, too large and too
small.
57. If you really need an officer in a hurry, take a nap.
58. There is nothing more satisfying than having someone take a
shot at you, and miss.
59. If your sergeant can see you, so can the enemy.
60. You'll only remember your hand grenades when the sound is
too close to use them.
61. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.
62. Well .. It could be worse: It could be raining .. and we
could be out in it.
63. So he said, "Cheer up: it could be worse!" So we cheered up.
And it got worse.
64. The side with the simplest uniform wins...
From the COMMO end of the rules:
65. The spare batteries for your PRC- whatever, your troops have
been carrying are either nearly dead or for the wrong radio.
66. The ping you heard was the antenna snapping off at 6 inches
above the flexmount, while a firemission was being called in
on a battalion of hostiles who suspect you are where you
are.
67. Why is it the CO sticks his head in your radio hooch to see
if anything has come down from DIV. when you are listening
to the VOA broadcasting the baseball games?
68. How come you are on one frequency when everyone else is on
another?
69. Why does your 500 watt VRC-26 (real old) not make it across
200 miles while a ham with 50 watts on the same MARS
frequency can be heard from Stateside?
70. Know why short RTO's have long whips on their radios? So
someone can find them when they step in deep water.
Rules of the Rucksack:
No matter how carefully you pack, a rucksack is always too
small.
No matter how small, a rucksack is always too heavy.
No matter how heavy, a rucksack will never contain what you
want.
No matter what you need, it's always at the bottom.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 8
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
Combat Mathematics:
Forward Area Math:
2 confirmed plus 1 probable plus 2 pigs equals 15 enemy KIA.
Rear Area Math:
2 beers times 23 men equals 49 cases.
Phillip's Law:
Four-wheel-drive just means getting stuck in more
inaccessible places.
Weatherwax's Postulate:
The degree to which you overreact to information will be in
inverse proportion to its accuracy.
Least Credible Sentences:
1 - The check is in the mail.
2 - The trucks will be on the drop zone.
3 - Of course I'll respect you in the morning.
4 - I'm from the government and I'm here to help you.
Brintnall's Second Law:
If you receive two contradictory orders, obey them both.
Pavlu's Rules for Economy in Decision Papers:
1 - Refute the last established recommendation.
2 - Add yours.
3 - Pass the paper on.
Oliver's Law:
Experience is something you don't get until after you need it.
Lackland's Laws:
1 - Never be first.
2 - Never be last.
3 - Never volunteer for anything.
Rune's Rule:
If you don't care where you are, you ain't lost.
Law of Supply (also known as the Law of Gifts):
You get the most of what you need the least.
Hane's Law:
There is no limit to how bad things can get.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 9
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
"Ask the Veterans' Affairs Counselor"
DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS
Office of Public Affairs - News Service
Washington DC 20420 (202) 233-2741
Submitted by: Jim Hildwine
NamVet's Federal Benefits Section Editor
VETLink #4 - Shady Side, MD
(301) 261-5644
(Following are representative questions answered daily by VA
counselors. Full information is available at any VA office.)
Q-- Do veterans with compensable service-connected disabilities
have to pay a funding fee when obtaining a VA-guaranteed home
loan?
A-- No.
Q-- As national cemetery offices are closed weekends, how can a
burial for the following week be scheduled?
A-- When a death occurs late in the week or on weekends or
holidays, interment for the next week may be scheduled by
calling the local national cemetery where a recorded telephone
number will refer the caller to one of the three large
cemeteries that are staffed on weekends. A member of the
cemetery staff will verify eligibility and schedule burial at
the local cemetery.
Q-- Is service in the Persian Gulf War considered wartime service
for VA benefit purposes?
A-- Yes. Under Public Law 102-25, the Persian Gulf War Veterans'
Benefits Act of 1991, the Persian Gulf period is defined as
beginning Aug. 2, 1990, and ending at a future date to be
determined by presidential proclamation or by law.
NAM VET Newsletter Page 10
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
==================================================================
Drums be not Silent
==================================================================
Step-by-Step MIA/POW Advocacy!
By: Mark Reinig
P.O.W. NETWORK - Skidmore, MO 64487
(816) 928-3305
Submitted by Marsha Ledeman
NamVet MIA/POW Section Editor
VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA
(413) 443-6313
[Note from Joe: The ORIGINAL version of this article (and the
following affidavits) are available at VETLink #1 as GUIDE.ZIP.
The information contained in Mark's file was SO important to
advocating for our MIA/POWs and to the many of you out here in
NamVetLand who want to do SOMETHING, I have edited and "changed
around" Mark's original file to "fit" within this NamVet. I hope
Mark forgives me for changing his writing around - but this HAD to
go in THIS issue of NamVet so that we can ALL do something NOW!]
One of the problems I have faced in getting people to act on the
POW issue is their lack of confidence when it comes to dealing
with the issue. Although people want to contribute, many feel
they do not know enough to call their elected officials. "What
happens if I call and they ask me about the bills I should know
about? What if he wants me to justify why I think there are POWs?
Maybe I should study some more before I call. Maybe tomorrow
would be a better time." By now the original inspiration to help
has passed and procrastination has crept in.
This [article] is meant to give these people projects that start
out requiring no knowledge of the issue. Each step helps them
along the way while giving them tools they need to understand the
issue.
The first project involves getting copies of the Senate Foreign
Relations Addendum from their Senators. I emphasize that even if
the person [YOU] has the report, it is critical to order it from
the Senate offices. Besides getting the Addendum, it also gives
that person a first contact with their Senate offices; one that
requires only the courage to pick up the phone and dial.
The next projects require signing their name to the enclosed
affidavits and sending them to the appropriate offices. Again,
only action is involved. Knowledge is gained [in reading the
subheading] EMERGENCY [further in this article]. The EMERGENCY
[subheading] refers to two different individual and group
affidavits. To eliminate confusion, I enclose only one individual
and one group affidavit. [The affidavit's immediately follow this
article.] I felt that the choice at this point would only confuse
things (All of the affidavits are included in the AFFI4.TXT file
on the P.O.W. Network if you wish to alter this package). Notice
[that you are to make five copies of at least the first
affidavit], enough for sending to Congressmen, Senators and the
Vietnamese and for reproducing extras for friends.
The Roone Arledge-ABC petition [contained in AFFI4.TXT] requires
the person now employ the help of friends and neighbors.
The remaining steps involve writing to their Congressmen and
Senators, with the ninth step using knowledge gained from the
enclosed articles and hopefully, from ordering Jeff Donahue's
NAM VET Newsletter Page 11
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
INDOCHINA POW TIMELINE [see INDOCHINA POW TIMELINE further in this
article] and other reading material.
.......
I also strongly suggest you have a page made up with the Names,
addresses and phone numbers on a page for the state the person is
from. I have uploaded the file CONGRESS.EXE (IBM computers only)
[to the P.O.W. NETWORK] for this purpose. If you can determine
the district the person is in, highlight their Congressman. If
you need help determining districts, or if you have a list of zip
codes that you would like matched with Congressional districts,
contact me.
This is by no means an "end all" package. It is more a concept
for teaching involvement while providing projects with some
strategic significance. This package will change with unfolding
events. If you have suggestions for the improving this concept,
please contact me on the Network, write or call:.
Mark Reinig/P.O.W. NETWORK
Box 68 Skidmore MO 64487
Voice: 816-928-3631 Fax: 816-928-3304
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO HELP
1) Order a copy of the Senate Foreign Relations Minority Staff
Report on POWs/MIAs (Also called the Addendum) from both of your
Senators. Call the number next to your Senator's name. A
secretary will answer the phone and ask for your name and address.
You will then tell them:
"I would like your office to send me a copy of the Senate
Foreign Relations Minority Staff report on POWs/MIAs which
was released in May of this year."
[Besides getting you 2 copies of the report this accomplishes 3
things:
1. It tells the staff there is someone in the state interested in
the POW issue;
2. It tells the staff the caller is an enlightened constituent as
you are ordering a report of this type; and
3. When you receive the report you will become an informed
constituent.]
Get your friends, and associates to make this phone call - dial it
for them if necessary. The more people call, the more effect this
step will have.]
2) Read the enclosed [subheading] entitled "Emergency". This
[subheading] describes the logic behind the [following]
affidavits.
After reading the [EMERGENCY subheading], sign 4 copies of the
personal Affidavits. Send one to the Vietnamese consulate, one to
your Congressman and one to both your Senators. The address of
the Vietnamese consulate is listed in the EMERGENCY [subheading].
[As the [Affidavits and EMERGENCY subheading] describes, we need
to convince both the Vietnamese and our Senators that the POW
activists do not hold a grudge on the Vietnamese government so
long as they release the American and ex-American citizens under
their control. Our government is trying to convince the Vietnamese
that it would be a mistake to bring out a POW. We must convince
them that our government is lying and that it is IMPERATIVE that
they release our men. The "Emergency" [subheading] refers to two
different affidavits. I have enclosed the affidavit which
includes the clause demanding release of Vietnamese citizens
imprisoned for supporting the American side. For copies of the
NAM VET Newsletter Page 12
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
affidavit excluding this clause, contact the P.O.W. Network.]
3) Take the ... fifth affidavit and make copies. Go to your
friends and have them sign four copies. Do not rely on them to
mail it. Mail it yourself - this guarantees that the job gets
done.
4) Take the [following] group affidavit and present it to any
organization that you feel you can convince to sign it. Make
copies of the "Emergency" [subheading] to help you explain the
situation. Present the Affidavit to more than just Veteran's
organizations. Rotary clubs, Chamber of Commerce, Unions, any
group that you can think of will help.
5) Take the "Petition to ABC" [from AFFI4.TXT], make copies, and
get as many people to sign as you can. Send the signed petitions
to:
P.O.W. Network Box 68, Skidmore, MO 64487.
[ABC had produced this movie [The Last POWs?] last year. For your
information, Bobby Garwood was a POW in Vietnam who managed to get
a message to a European embassy in 1979, causing the Vietnamese to
release him. He was promptly arrested by the U.S. government and
tried and convicted for collaboration. The movie "The Last POWs?"
tells the story of Bobby Garwood's ordeal. Even though all
reference to his knowledge of remaining Americans were taken out
of the script, apparently the Vietnamese government convinced our
government to pressure ABC to indefinitely suspend release of the
movie in the United States. This petition is meant to apply
pressure to ABC and its advertisers.]
6) Write a letter to your Congressman and Senators regarding the
declassification of POW related documents. (See [further] synopsis
on HR 1147 and HR 2038 for Congressmen and S. 1127 for your
Senators)
Ask Your Congressman in a handwritten letter (see ... "how to"
[subheading]):
"What is your voting record on H.R. 2038? Please send me a copy
of the attached amendment pertaining to the POW issue. Have you
co-sponsored H.R. 1147? Send me a copy of these bills."
Ask Your Senators:
"Have you co-sponsored S. 1127? Send me a copy of this bill."
Thank them for their time and emphasize your desire for a
response.
[These bills pertain to the declassification of documents and is
essential for the truthful action on behalf of our government.
With this action you will again be telling your Congressman and
staff that you are interested and enlightened on the POW issue.]
7) Within a week to ten days after sending the first letter, write
a letter to your Congressman regarding the "Missing Service
Personnel Act" HR 1730. (See [further] synopsis on HR 1730).
Ask Your Congressman in a handwritten letter (see "how to"
[subheading]):
"Have you Cosponsored HR 1730, the Missing Service Personnel Act?
Please send me a copy of the bill for my inspection."
Thank them for their time and emphasize your desire for a
NAM VET Newsletter Page 13
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
response.
[This bill will change the way our government is allowed to
declare a missing serviceman dead. It will also show that you are
not going to go away after the first letter.]
8) After receiving the addendum from your Senator (should be
within 3 weeks) write your Congressman and Senators concerning the
contents of the addendum Report.
Tell your Congressman and Senators you have received a copy of
the Senate Foreign Relations Minority Staff report on POW/MIAs
which was released in May of this year. Ask your representatives,
"Have you read this report? Have you read the Tighe report which
the Addendum report refers to? Please inform me within security
guidelines what is contained in General Tighe's report. I await
your reply."
[This informs your Congressman that you now have the information
(Addendum report) to start making judgments on his performance as
a leader in Congress concerning the POW issue. You are also
asking him to report back to you concerning a document (Tighe
report) only he is allowed to read, but which you are aware.]
9) It is now imperative that you study the [following] excerpts
from "Indochina POW Timeline" by Dr. Jeffrey Donahue. This paper
describes to the day when we abandoned our men in Laos. This
portion describes how we abandoned our men and never negotiated
for their return. Also study the [following] "Politics Prevent
POWs Return". The next letters will go to your Congressman and
your two Senators. The contents of the letters can be identical
(make sure you hand copy them as a photocopy won't do).
Ask your representatives:
"I have read the report POW TIMELINE by Dr. Jeffrey Donahue. He
asserts that in 1973 the Lao government admitted to holding live
American servicemen. The Vietnamese and the State Department both
agreed that in order to get these men back our government must
negotiate with the Pathet Lao directly. Do you know when we
negotiated these "tens of tens" Americans out of Laos? Only nine
came back during Homecoming through the Vietnamese government and
I can find no record of our government dealing directly with the
Lao for these live men. Please tell me when we negotiated for the
rest of the Americans being held in Laos. Who did the
negotiating?"
"Recent photos of Donald Carr and Daniel Borah came out of Laos,
and Carl Ford has stated that he believes there are some pilots
held against their will there. What do you intend to do to get
these men out?"
[As the text of the POW TIMELINE indicate(s), we NEVER negotiated
for the release of our live Americans captured by the Pathet Lao.
Hopefully, your Congressman and/or Senators will take it upon
themselves to discover this fact for themselves. If these
representatives have a personal honor system, they will join in
the fight to have these men released. If your representative
doesn't respond adequately to your questions, we will help you
develop a game plan for the next steps to take.]
We want to know your progress on these projects. We would also
like to know what your Congressmen and Senators say in response to
your requests. Also, if you have any questions concerning the
projects outlined above, or if you want to continue to help us in
NAM VET Newsletter Page 14
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
our fight for the release of Americans held in foreign hands,
please contact:
P.O.W. Network/Mark Reinig
Box 68 - Skidmore MO 64487
Voice: 816-928-3631 Fax: 816-928-3303 Modem: 816-928-3305
EMERGENCY
Following the completion of Operation Homecoming in 1973, Henry
Kissinger publicly stated that the discovery of any additional
American prisoners in Vietnam would require stern retribution by
the U.S. against Vietnam.
In 1987, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Vernon Walters -
who had been Deputy Director of CIA when George Bush was Director
- said that it would be "detrimental" for the Vietnamese to
"surface" living American POWs.
In August, 1991, soon after returning from visiting Vietnam as a
part of a congressional delegation, Arizona Republican Congressman
Jim Kolbe stated in a radio interview that if American POWs should
"walk out" it would destroy relations between the U.S. and Vietnam
for "years or decades."
Also in August 1991, Wyoming Republican Senator Alan Simpson
said that it would be foolish for the Vietnamese to still be
holding American prisoners as, if discovered, they would be
shunned as "pariahs of the earth and the foul stench of humanity"
for 50 years. He also said that Vietnam's efforts toward
normalizing relations with the rest of the world may include
killing any POWs still alive to be "sure that there was no one
alive in order that then they would be accepted in the family of
nations."
According to many knowledgeable observers, the recent sweeping
changes in Vietnam's top leadership came as a result of
frustration that the former group was unable to clear the way for
better trade and diplomatic relations with the West. If this is
true, the new leaders will be more likely to take aggressive
action to get Vietnam out of the POW/MIA dilemma - either as
Senator Simpson suggests, or by unilaterally releasing them. It
is ESSENTIAL that the Vietnamese gain a better understanding of
the likely U.S. public reaction to each of those possible courses
of action. We MUST do everything we can to convince them that we
KNOW they have authority over living American POWs, no matter what
the Vietnamese choose to call them and no matter whether they are
held in Vietnam, Laos or Cambodia. Lifting the U.S. trade embargo
against Vietnam and/or normalizing diplomatic relations will be
impossible until and unless those POWs are released.
Furthermore, we must show the Vietnamese that statements such as
Kolbe's and Simpson's are LIES, and have been made to encourage
the Vietnamese to take action which might be in the best interest
of traitorous U.S. officials - who abandoned those men and lied
about their existence for 18 years - but will not be in the
interest of Vietnam. We MUST show the Vietnamese that all they
have to do to get out of this mess is Come Clean - release ALL of
the Americans, no matter what their physical or mental condition.
[Make five copies of the following affidavits]: two [will be]
for individuals; two [will be] for organizations. One of each
includes a section which indicates that the SRV must open the
gates of the re-education camps to release those who are held
because they worked and fought by our side during the war. If you
or your organization are unwilling to place this additional
precondition on lifting the trade embargo and normalizing
NAM VET Newsletter Page 15
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
relations, execute the affidavit(s) which do not contain this
wording.
Whichever applies to you or your group, sign it and send it four
places as soon as possible: (1) Mission of the SRV to the UN, 20
Waterside Plaza, New York, NY 10012; (2)&(3) one copy to each of
the two U.S. Senators from your state; (4) your Congressman.
Also, reproduce the blank affidavits and send them to any and
all individuals or groups with which you have contact - and not
just POW or Veteran groups. We want the Vietnamese to know more
about how ALL Americans feel about this problem. Act quickly;
there is more danger AND more opportunity than ever before!
HOW TO WRITE TO YOUR SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN
Let them know of your concern for swift action on the POW issue. A
handwritten letter carries the most weight in a Congressional
office. Be specific. Ask only one or two questions per letter
(mail more than one letter!) and make sure you note that you
expect a response. If you receive no reply, write again and ask
why. Follow-up with a short note to the local editor of the
newspaper, praising him if he responds or asking the question "Why
does he not respond" if no help is forthcoming. Please let your
Congressman know that if you have taken the time to write a
personal letter, you expect no less of him, and form letters are
inappropriate when dealing with the POW issue.
BASIC LETTER FORM:
Your Name
Your Address
Your City ST ZIP
Congressman's Name
Congressman's address
Washington DC ZIP
Today's Date
Dear Congressman Name:
[BODY OF LETTER]
Sincerely,
Your Name
OTHER PROJECTS TO HELP YOU UNDERSTAND AND BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN THE
POW ISSUE:
JOIN the Insiders "telephone tree". You will receive monthly
"targets" within the government to whom you will ask specific
questions and expect replies. This is a nationwide, well
coordinated effort to get the POW question to the officials that
can make a difference.
->Mike Van Atta, Box 302, Chatham, NJ 07928.
JOIN the National Alliance of Families and support their efforts
to gain the release of men and documentation. This organization is
made up of families of the missing but has a membership for those
concerned, but not related to a POW/MIA.
->National Alliance of Families
NAM VET Newsletter Page 16
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
5503 17th Avenue NW P-200 - Seattle WA 98107
If you have a computer and modem available, you can access the
P.O.W. NETWORK. The NETWORK has hundreds of pages of documentation
available, information on Congressional activities, biographies on
our missing men, the capability of corresponding electronically
with anyone around the world interested in the POW issue and more.
->P.O.W. NETWORK, Box 68, Skidmore, MO 64487
816-928-3304/Modem:816-928-3305/Fax:816-928-3304
READ:
1. Kiss the Boys Goodbye, by Monica Jensen-Stephensen (avail. at
library or call POW NETWORK)
2. Indochina POW Timeline, by Dr. Jeffrey Donahue (available
through P.O.W. NETWORK)
3. Unrepatriated American Prisoners of War, by John Nevin
(available through the P.O.W. NETWORK)
4. Bamboo Cage, by Nigel Cawthorne (available only in Great
Britain - Ask your library, bookstore or contact the P.O.W.
Network)
5. Senate Foreign Relations U.S. Policy Towards POWs Interim
Report and Addendum (see step 1 "What You Can Do To Help")
HOUSE BILLS
H.R. 1147 - The Truth bill seeks full disclosure of live sighting
reports. These reports would be made public, with
permission of the next of kin of the serviceman still
POW or MIA.
H.R. 2038 - The Truth bill amendment was attached to the
Intelligence Authorization Bill and passed by voice
vote in late June. The bill must now go to the Senate
for approval and then the President for signature.
Should the Senate change the wording on the bill, the
bill would be sent back to Congressional committee for
a hearing and compromise.
H.R. 1730 - The Missing Service Personnel Act seeks to change 1942
laws that allow the presumptive finding of death
hearings to proceed based strictly on the passage of
one years time. As it is written now, the law allows
for a serviceman missing or prisoner of war to be
declared dead after only one year, regardless of
information received in that year, especially if that
material is a live-sighting report, as those are
classified and not entered as evidence.
H.R. 1900 - The POW/MIA Rescue bill allows for asylum of any
refugee bringing a living American out of S.E. Asia
and to a representative of the United States
Government.
SENATE BILLS
S. 1127 - The Senate version of the Truth Bill. (see H.R. 1147)
AVAILABLE TO ALL CONGRESSMEN AND SENATORS
"The Tighe Report" - an in-depth, classified study on the issues
and facts surrounding the POW issue by former director of the
Defense Intelligence Agency, Ret. General Eugene Tighe. Open
NAM VET Newsletter Page 17
Volume 5, Number 10 October 24, 1991
hearings were held on only part of the report. Gen Tighe has
stated that he believes, based on the volume of evidence he had
seen, men were left behind in Vietnam. The Intelligence
Authorization Act of 1991, H.R. 5422, had a clause which required
the DIA to provide any member of Congress, upon request, access to
this report.
The INQUIRY AND ADDENDUM, by the Committee on Foreign Relations is
an in-depth, 150 page, two part investigation into the POW/MIA
issue. It covers the Defense Intelligence Agency's handling of
documentation, proper routing and timeframe of follow-up on live
sighting reports, the "mindset to debunk", the Presidential
Priorities from WWI through the Gulf War as it relates to service
personnel left behind, etc. Based on documents, family interviews,
historical records and news articles. Released in two parts,
November 1990 and June 1991.
Excerpts from INDOCHINA POW TIMELINE By Dr. Jeffrey Donahue
Published by National Forget-
