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Joe "Clem" Clemons - 12/15/00 13:08:33
My Email:joeclem98@Yahoo.com
Branch of Service.: USMC
Place of Overseas duty: Viet Nam I Corps
Years Overseas: '68-'69
MOS: 0311/31
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: Ohio moving to WV Jan '01
Comments:
Great job on the website. Hoping to find a VVA chapter in the Raleigh County area. Semper Fi!!
Gary Burch - 12/13/00 23:32:22
My Email:www.garytewana@aol
Branch of Service.: US Navy Sea Bees
Place of Overseas duty: Danang
Years Overseas: 1 1/2
MOS: CE2
Are you a member of the VVA: 306 or 860 ?????????
Home State: WV
Comments:
very nice. i an copying the initial pages to take and show the chapter. Gary
teddy daniels - 11/19/00 05:18:16
My Email:boatice2webtv.net
Branch of Service.: usn
Place of Overseas duty: qui nhon rvn
Years Overseas: 67 68
MOS: 00000 bm
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: ky
Comments:
always remember the brothers that didnt make it back and they are the ones that are the heroes i was a river boat captain my unit was iuwg1 at qui nhon rvn our odds were 80 20 and that to me shows what the american fighting man is all about and im proud t
have served with every one of them and i would do it all over again bm2 teddy daniels
gary sharp sr - 10/29/00 18:41:32
Branch of Service.: usmc
Place of Overseas duty: v n
Years Overseas: 1968to1969
MOS: 0811
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: wv
Comments:
none wright now.
james patterson - 10/29/00 18:02:40
My Email:james22055@aol.com
Branch of Service.: army
Place of Overseas duty: fairbanks ak
Years Overseas: 18months
MOS: 642-10
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: wv
Comments:
Chris - 09/09/00 05:24:29
My URL:http://ww.oocities.com/Heartland/2089/vva.html
My Email:chrissygirl@hotmail.com
Are you a member of the VVA: no, I am a member of the AVVA
Home State: Maryland
Comments:
You have a very nice site here. If it is ok I would like to link it to mine.
Raferty - 09/08/00 00:44:15
My URL:http://www.dreamwater.com/raferty/home.html
My Email:Raferty23@hotmail.com
Branch of Service.: Army
Place of Overseas duty: VeitNam
Years Overseas: 1.3
MOS: Ord.
Are you a member of the VVA: No
Home State: N.C. by way of W.V
Comments:
Hello Brother,
We thought Nam was tough till we locked horns with Washington.lol At least over there we knew who our enemy was. They were the ones looking down the rifle barrel at us while here at home it is hard to tell friends from enemies.
Charles Blevins - 07/20/00 19:52:59
My Email:blevinschuck@aol.com
Branch of Service.: U.S.M.C
Place of Overseas duty: Vietnam/Dong Ha
Years Overseas: 1966-1967
MOS: 0351
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: West Virginia/Havaco
Comments:
Trying to locate Ralph Stone/We were together in Plt. 335 PAris Island.
Danny Richards - 07/17/00 03:09:26
My Email:dlrich@ev1.net
Branch of Service.: Army
Place of Overseas duty: Korea&Veitnam
Years Overseas: 68-69,70
MOS: 67N20
Are you a member of the VVA: yes Life Member
Home State: Texas
Comments:
keith pennington - 07/10/00 02:26:23
My Email:kpen52@aol.com
Branch of Service.: army
Place of Overseas duty: dongtam-cantho
Years Overseas: 69-70
MOS: 67n20
Are you a member of the VVA: yes
Home State: westvirginia
Comments:
was with the 191st ahc as crewchief
Don Hampton - 06/25/00 16:52:37
My Email:www.9months@vnet.net
Branch of Service.: army
Place of Overseas duty: Dong Ba Thin RVN
MOS: 31b20
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: North Caralina
Comments:
I'm looking for Roger Hammontree he was with the 92nd AHC with me.We just had a reunion of the vietnam helo.maint.crew members ass. in char. nc.Would be great to get in touch with him to let him know he was missed.If you remember Robert Stewart,Tom Tucker
Brian Mahoney,Steve Mandell they were there. If anyone knows him tell him to give me a call.His last known address was near Beckley WV.
William E Rodden - 06/24/00 03:51:43
My Email:Pjsrodden@aol.com
Branch of Service.: USMC
Place of Overseas duty: RVN
Years Overseas: 68-70
MOS: 03ll
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: Kansas
Comments:
floyd ford - 06/21/00 23:04:10
My Email:marlinpk@aol.com
Branch of Service.: Army
Place of Overseas duty: Viet nam
MOS: 64b40
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: Arizona
Comments:
I am looking for a friend of mine that i was with in Viet Nam. His name is Lawrence Tinsley. I am not sure where in West Virginia that he lives,but i do know he is from there.
Thank You
Floyd Ford
GARY H. ROLLER - 06/10/00 21:37:07
My Email:groller2@aol.com
Branch of Service.: u s army
Place of Overseas duty: c trp 3/4 cav 25th inf. pleiku
Years Overseas: 65-66
MOS: 11 B 20
Home State: kentucky
Comments:
welcome home brothers, we are looking for sgt.webb
he served with us, ane we need him. his name is james webb, but he is in your great state somewhere,and if ya see him tell him to e mail me
spears,studstill,workman, are looking
John T. Terry - 05/10/00 02:06:54
My Email:TJTTNAM6869@aol.com
Branch of Service.: U.S. Navy
Place of Overseas duty: Mekonk Delta
Years Overseas: 1Yr. 6Months
Are you a member of the VVA: NO
Home State: West Virginia
Comments:
I'm From Bramwell WV. I graduated in 1967 from Bramwell High School.I joined the U.S. Navy In 1967 And went from high school to boot camp to Vietnam.I was on the Mobile Riverine Force as part of Task Force 117 from 1968 to 1969. I currently live in Edgewa
er FL and have lived in Florida since 1978
Gary Puro - 04/24/00 02:47:58
My URL:http://www.fireplug.net/~rshand/reflections/vietnam/vietnam/html
My Email:GPDQS@JUNO.COM
Branch of Service.: Army
Place of Overseas duty: Vietnam
Years Overseas: 67-68 I corps
MOS: 17E40 searchlight crew
Are you a member of the VVA: yes, life member
Home State: Michigan
Comments:
Looking for men who served in duster, Quad,
searchlight, vulcan, or hawk unit in
Vietnam. Email GPDQS@JUNO.COM for reunion
and newsletter information.
CHEWY - 04/23/00 02:28:25
My URL:http://oocities.com/SiliconValley/Hub/1702
My Email:chewybotw@aol.com
Branch of Service.: USMC
Place of Overseas duty: I CORPS(CHU LAI, DA NANG, NORTHERN SOUTH VIETNAM
Years Overseas: 1965 - 1966
MOS: ARTY FORWARD OBSERVER(SCOUT)
Are you a member of the VVA: LIFE MEMBER
Home State: WEST VIRGNIA
Comments:
JOINED MARINE CORPS 1963 IN PORTLAND, OREGON. DISCHARGED 1967 AT CAMP LA JUNE, N.C. STARTED MY TRIP TO NAM IN HAWAII. MY HOME IS ST.ALBANS,W.VA. THANKS FOR THE GREAT WORK ON OUR BEHALF WEST VIRGINIA STATE COUNCIL.
FLOYD FORD - 04/12/00 23:11:55
My Email:MARLINPK@AOL.COM
Branch of Service.: ARMY
Place of Overseas duty: VIET NAM
Years Overseas: 1965 1966
MOS: 64B20
Are you a member of the VVA: NO
Home State: ARIZONA
Comments:
I AM LOOKING FOR A LAWRENCE TINSLEY. I WAS STATIONED WITH HIM IN VIET NAM. ALL I KNOW IS HE IS FROM WEST VIRGINIA,WE WERE ASSIGNED TO THE 1099TH RIVER RATS. IF ANYONE KNOWS HIM PLEASE GET IN TOUCH WITH ME.
THANK YOU
FLOYD FORD
John Harris - 03/15/00 16:34:50
My Email:johnstoy@ipa.net
Branch of Service.: Navy
Place of Overseas duty: U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
Years Overseas: 1967-1970
MOS: Fire Control Tech
Are you a member of the VVA: Yes
Home State: Arkansas
Comments:
Carolina_Water_Rat - 01/19/00 21:49:28
Home State: SC
Comments:
I just wanted to say thanks for all the veterans have done throughout history. I myself am serving right now and have no regrets. Take Care. God Bless.
Comments:
Enjoyed site,Just trying to fine some old buddies
Frank Stacey - 01/02/00 02:53:59
My Email:FStacey588@aol.com
Branch of Service.: Army
Place of Overseas duty: Long Binh, Vietnam
Years Overseas: 362 days
MOS: 71L40
Are you a member of the VVA: Life member
Home State: Bel Air, Maryland
Comments:
Hello West Virginia, great website, glad to see Region 3 using the web. Keep up the good work.
Bruce W. Milne - 11/06/99 05:42:58
My URL:http://cybersarges.com
My Email:Bulldogbm@aol.com
Branch of Service.: US Army
Place of Overseas duty: Tay Nin, Vietnam
Years Overseas: 1 yr 2 Months
MOS: 76y30
Are you a member of the VVA: No use to be/must rejoin
Home State: Nevada
Comments:
Nice site and keep up the good work. If all of us veterans every got together to fight for our rights the government would have to give in. I feel we are all now at War with the VA.
Keep the faith and Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans.
Outstanding job..Well done!
Lyle T.May - 09/23/99 19:17:28
My Email:LyleMy@aol.com
Branch of Service.: U.S,M,C.
Place of Overseas duty: KHE SANH
Years Overseas: 68
MOS: 0311
Are you a member of the VVA: NO
Home State: WV.
Comments:
Good page, Iwill tell my vetern friends and i am also looking for any one that was with kilo co. 26th.marines on hill 861.
william mccollumwm - 08/04/99 17:33:51
My Email:173rd @aol
Branch of Service.: army
Place of Overseas duty: vietnam 173rd
Years Overseas: sept 9 1969-april 5 1971
MOS: 11b
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: rhode island
Comments:
looking for anyone who served with c co. 4/503rdalso looking for back issues of the herd paper dated jan--april of 71
dragonlady - 07/14/99 03:44:17
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/Heartland/Grove/7615/index.html
My Email:dragonlady71@oocities.com
Branch of Service.: army mine 92-95 my dad 68-69
Place of Overseas duty: dad-vietnam
MOS: mine 95b his 11b
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: georgia
Comments:
I was searching for agent orange info(my brother has spina bifida) and came across your page. It's wonderful, I'll be sure to forward it to my dad. I mentioned both of us in the above info because I feel certain if he had not been there I would not have j
ined the Army. My brother and I felt that one of us owed him our service, too, to show respect for his. Because of the medical circumstances it had to be me. But I have to say I loved the Army and my job. If you have in any links for the children of Vi
tnam vets some of us might find them useful(I would at least).
David G. Stainback - 06/04/99 21:23:31
My Email:vva627@3rddoor.com
Branch of Service.: Army
Place of Overseas duty: Long Binh South Vietnam
Years Overseas: 1967 to 1968
MOS: 76J20
Are you a member of the VVA: Yes Life Member
Home State: Virginia
Comments:
Welcome Home great site.
David G. Stainback - 06/04/99 21:23:19
My Email:vva627@3rddoor.com
Branch of Service.: Army
Place of Overseas duty: Long Binh South Vietnam
Years Overseas: 1967 to 1968
MOS: 76J20
Are you a member of the VVA: Yes Life Member
Home State: Virginia
Comments:
Welcome Home great site.
DENNY HUGHES - 05/09/99 03:47:59
My URL:http://TABASCO 38@
My Email:WORLDNET.ATT.NET
Branch of Service.: MARINES
Place of Overseas duty: VIETNAM
Years Overseas: 1970-1971
MOS: 0351
Are you a member of the VVA: YES
Home State: WV
Comments:
I CURRENTLY LIVE IN A WESTERN SUBURB OF PITTSBURGH NEAR PITTSBURGH INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT. I GREW UP IN CHARLESTON WV 2 MILES EAST OF THE STATE CAPITOL. WENT TO CHS AND WV STATE COLLEGE
DON HOLLAND - 04/15/99 11:41:34
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/Athens/Atlantis/2070/index.html
My Email:omb00965@mail.wvnet.edu
Branch of Service.: U. S. NAVY
Place of Overseas duty: THIRTY YEARS
MOS: MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER
Are you a member of the VVA: NOT YET
Home State: WEST VIRGINIA
Comments:
Don Holland
P. O. Box 646
White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986
Phone (304) 536-1686
Monday 29 Mar 1999
The Honorable Robert C. Byrd
311 Hart Building
Washington, D. C. 20510
Dear Senator Byrd,
Jim Godwin was my best friend in Marlinton High School, from 1957-1960, he was an
artist and a great writer. Jim went to work as a reporter for the Trentonian Newspaper in
Trenton, N. J. after graduation in 1960 and I answered John Kennedy’s challenge to “Ask
not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country.” I enlisted
in the U. S. Navy and Jim was drafted into the U. S. Army.
Jim did not flee to Canada, or England as many others, including our current President
did. Jim reported for induction, was sent to Viet Nam, exposed to Agent Orange and
unspeakable atrocities that left him to endure Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for the rest
of his life. Jim came home to West Virginia from his Viet Nam service with deep
emotional scars that made his life constant misery, but at least he did not come home in a
body bag, as almost 60,000 of our other comrades did, or physically mutilated by horrible
wounds as another 300,000 of our comrades did.
Jim finally died in late December 1997, actually a Viet Nam Casualty, thirty years after
the fact. His name belongs on “The Wall” just as much as any that are on it. I attended
Jim’s Wake in Elkins, WV in January 1997 and visited with many of our old friends and
Jim’s family. We recalled some of his absolutely great writing and I showed them his
finest work, “EPITAPH TAPS.” Jim had made a special visit to present me a personal
copy just a few months before he died. I believe he did this in anticipation of his death.
I am enclosing a copy of Jim’s opus, because no one ever described a military funeral
better than he did in “EPITAPH TAPS.” I would remind you that this scene was repeated
almost 60,000 times during Viet Nam, I participated in dozens of these ceremonies for my
fallen comrades.
While we who served during this long conflict endured the suffering stoically because
we saw it as our duty, there were those at the other end of this moral spectrum who
refused to serve, they protested and demonstrated, sniveled and whined, marched and
complained. They finally succeeded in forcing Congress to abolish the draft, and it
became necessary to pay those of us who had the courage to take up arms and go in
harm’s way a premium wage in order to attract volunteers.
This increase in military pay resulted in a commensurate increase in military retirement,
and made military retired pay so lucrative that once the war was over, our military retired
pay became a prize that others coveted, including the American Bar Association who saw
it as a tremendous source of revenue for its members, and so they went after it. Congress
realized that they had made more concessions to us than they had really wanted to when
so many of us were bleeding and dying, so in a shameful and cowardly act they caved in to
pressure from the American Bar Association and sold us out for the feminist vote with
“THE UNIFORMED SERVICES FORMER SPOUSES’ PROTECTION ACT OF 1982.”
This shameful and cowardly act required ‘VOODOO” legislation in order to enact an
unconstitutional “EX POST FACTO” law, that gave ‘PROPERTY RIGHTS” to our
military retired pay to our ex-spouses, when we do not even have a property right to this
pay ourselves, and it in effect created a “NEW ENTITLEMENT” by which an ex spouse
earns “LIFETIME PROPERTY RIGHTS” to our military retired pay for her “Valuable
Service” of even a very few years, when it requires the military member at least twenty
years of service in order to earn retired pay.”
This absurd law permitted my wife to divorce me and literally move in with my next
door neighbor, who was a draft dodger, and the two of them receive over $20,000 a year
of my VA Disability (I am 100% disabled, service connected) and my Navy retired pay.
Isn’t this ironic that money appropriated for the National Defense is now being shared by
two people who did absolutely nothing to defend this country, and the 100% disabled
Veteran who earned it during a thirty year Navy career, is left destitute.
I consider you to be “The Greatest West Virginian, “Jim and I received letters of
congratulations from you when we graduated from Marlinton High School in 1960, as our
U. S. Senator, and you have been a stalwart champion of all that is right since that time.
Your character and integrity has stood out from many others in Washington, including the
President, and you were the first one I am aware of who knew the “Line Item Veto” was
Unconstitutional. Please tell me how “The Uniformed Services Former Spouses’
Protection Act” can possibly be constitutional when it makes my former spouse superior
to any current or future spouse and children, and denys them equal protection under the
law?
Because of the despicable deceit and betrayal of Veterans by our government, I want
to warn you of the dangerous consequences and the ultimate progression of this course of
action. You have already alienated the entire community of Veterans and it is
questionable if any of them would go in harms way for a government that betrayed them
as this one has. But not to worry, in the absence of an effective military to fight a war,
WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR CLINTON WOULD LEAD AN ARMY OF U. S.
SENATORS, REPRESENTATIVES, FORMER SPOUSES, AND LAWYERS
(WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF VETERANS) TO
DEFEAT THE ENEMIES OF LIBERTY, JUSTICE AND THE AMERICAN WAY
OF LIFE.
Please read Jim Godwin’s “EPITAPH TAPS” and then tell me how our government
could renege on commitments that were made to us when we were coming home in body
bags at the rate of over 400 per week, in return for the feminist vote and to appease the
American Bar Association. Please tell me how the government can expect future
generations to take up arms and go in harms way for this country when you have betrayed
those of us who served in the past.
Sincerely,
Don Holland
EPITAPH TAPS BY JIM GODWIN COPYRIGHT 1991
Bereaved family,
Bereaved friends,
Men, Women, Children,
Rifles and Flag,
A forlorn bugler, hence...
Those of Cloth
Deliver God’s Words,
Of Valley and Shadow,
Black and Veil,
And TAPS...
Light rain unfelt,
Sunburst unseen,
Hand with Bible shaking,
Eyes glazed,
Serene...
Few minutes to recapitulate
A score of years,
An Obituary,
An Epitaph,
Eyes filled with tears...
Empathize Spouse,
Parent and Child,
Comrades
Few peers,
Faces in the crowd...
Ne’er forget the Patriot,
Lying ‘neath the shroud,
Of Glorious Stars and Stripes,
Be proud,
Dare not ye speak, those disavowed!
Test not is Hero right,
Justified in cause,
Or dark, be damned,
By passive man,
Serve eternal pause...
For can you know the pain,
Can you touch the sore,
Can you taste the blood,
And hear the silence,
Of the Dead of War?
Hear first the Psalms,
The rifle blasts,
The “Praise Be God”,
And “Hallelujah,
He rests at last”...
Feel throats knot,
Silent cries,
Memories passing,
Behind moist eyes;
Vague attempts to realize...
Now disturbing quiet
Permeates the air,
Inaudible speech,
Tis oft somewhere;
Prevail, Despair...
Must that Knight in casket,
Feel the pain and dread,
Of comrades who survived,
Just to be chastised,
And wish they too were dead...
Has Gallant Soldier Fallen;
Ultimately is he whole?
Trust God be Judge; not man,
He has lost this weary life,
But not his immortal soul!
And, TAPS.....
DON HOLLAND - 04/15/99 11:39:31
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/Athens/Atlantis/2070/index.html
My Email:omb00965@mail.wvnet.edu
Branch of Service.: U. S. NAVY
Place of Overseas duty: THIRTY YEARS
MOS: MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER
Are you a member of the VVA: NOT YET
Home State: WEST VIRGINIA
Comments:
Don Holland
P. O. Box 646
White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986
Phone (304) 536-1686
Monday 29 Mar 1999
The Honorable Robert C. Byrd
311 Hart Building
Washington, D. C. 20510
Dear Senator Byrd,
Jim Godwin was my best friend in Marlinton High School, from 1957-1960, he was an
artist and a great writer. Jim went to work as a reporter for the Trentonian Newspaper in
Trenton, N. J. after graduation in 1960 and I answered John Kennedy’s challenge to “Ask
not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country.” I enlisted
in the U. S. Navy and Jim was drafted into the U. S. Army.
Jim did not flee to Canada, or England as many others, including our current President
did. Jim reported for induction, was sent to Viet Nam, exposed to Agent Orange and
unspeakable atrocities that left him to endure Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for the rest
of his life. Jim came home to West Virginia from his Viet Nam service with deep
emotional scars that made his life constant misery, but at least he did not come home in a
body bag, as almost 60,000 of our other comrades did, or physically mutilated by horrible
wounds as another 300,000 of our comrades did.
Jim finally died in late December 1997, actually a Viet Nam Casualty, thirty years after
the fact. His name belongs on “The Wall” just as much as any that are on it. I attended
Jim’s Wake in Elkins, WV in January 1997 and visited with many of our old friends and
Jim’s family. We recalled some of his absolutely great writing and I showed them his
finest work, “EPITAPH TAPS.” Jim had made a special visit to present me a personal
copy just a few months before he died. I believe he did this in anticipation of his death.
I am enclosing a copy of Jim’s opus, because no one ever described a military funeral
better than he did in “EPITAPH TAPS.” I would remind you that this scene was repeated
almost 60,000 times during Viet Nam, I participated in dozens of these ceremonies for my
fallen comrades.
While we who served during this long conflict endured the suffering stoically because
we saw it as our duty, there were those at the other end of this moral spectrum who
refused to serve, they protested and demonstrated, sniveled and whined, marched and
complained. They finally succeeded in forcing Congress to abolish the draft, and it
became necessary to pay those of us who had the courage to take up arms and go in
harm’s way a premium wage in order to attract volunteers.
This increase in military pay resulted in a commensurate increase in military retirement,
and made military retired pay so lucrative that once the war was over, our military retired
pay became a prize that others coveted, including the American Bar Association who saw
it as a tremendous source of revenue for its members, and so they went after it. Congress
realized that they had made more concessions to us than they had really wanted to when
so many of us were bleeding and dying, so in a shameful and cowardly act they caved in to
pressure from the American Bar Association and sold us out for the feminist vote with
“THE UNIFORMED SERVICES FORMER SPOUSES’ PROTECTION ACT OF 1982.”
This shameful and cowardly act required ‘VOODOO” legislation in order to enact an
unconstitutional “EX POST FACTO” law, that gave ‘PROPERTY RIGHTS” to our
military retired pay to our ex-spouses, when we do not even have a property right to this
pay ourselves, and it in effect created a “NEW ENTITLEMENT” by which an ex spouse
earns “LIFETIME PROPERTY RIGHTS” to our military retired pay for her “Valuable
Service” of even a very few years, when it requires the military member at least twenty
years of service in order to earn retired pay.”
This absurd law permitted my wife to divorce me and literally move in with my next
door neighbor, who was a draft dodger, and the two of them receive over $20,000 a year
of my VA Disability (I am 100% disabled, service connected) and my Navy retired pay.
Isn’t this ironic that money appropriated for the National Defense is now being shared by
two people who did absolutely nothing to defend this country, and the 100% disabled
Veteran who earned it during a thirty year Navy career, is left destitute.
I consider you to be “The Greatest West Virginian, “Jim and I received letters of
congratulations from you when we graduated from Marlinton High School in 1960, as our
U. S. Senator, and you have been a stalwart champion of all that is right since that time.
Your character and integrity has stood out from many others in Washington, including the
President, and you were the first one I am aware of who knew the “Line Item Veto” was
Unconstitutional. Please tell me how “The Uniformed Services Former Spouses’
Protection Act” can possibly be constitutional when it makes my former spouse superior
to any current or future spouse and children, and denys them equal protection under the
law?
Because of the despicable deceit and betrayal of Veterans by our government, I want
to warn you of the dangerous consequences and the ultimate progression of this course of
action. You have already alienated the entire community of Veterans and it is
questionable if any of them would go in harms way for a government that betrayed them
as this one has. But not to worry, in the absence of an effective military to fight a war,
WILLIAM THE CONQUEROR CLINTON WOULD LEAD AN ARMY OF U. S.
SENATORS, REPRESENTATIVES, FORMER SPOUSES, AND LAWYERS
(WHO PARTICIPATED IN THE DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF VETERANS) TO
DEFEAT THE ENEMIES OF LIBERTY, JUSTICE AND THE AMERICAN WAY
OF LIFE.
Please read Jim Godwin’s “EPITAPH TAPS” and then tell me how our government
could renege on commitments that were made to us when we were coming home in body
bags at the rate of over 400 per week, in return for the feminist vote and to appease the
American Bar Association. Please tell me how the government can expect future
generations to take up arms and go in harms way for this country when you have betrayed
those of us who served in the past.
Sincerely,
Don Holland
EPITAPH TAPS BY JIM GODWIN COPYRIGHT 1991
Bereaved family,
Bereaved friends,
Men, Women, Children,
Rifles and Flag,
A forlorn bugler, hence...
Those of Cloth
Deliver God’s Words,
Of Valley and Shadow,
Black and Veil,
And TAPS...
Light rain unfelt,
Sunburst unseen,
Hand with Bible shaking,
Eyes glazed,
Serene...
Few minutes to recapitulate
A score of years,
An Obituary,
An Epitaph,
Eyes filled with tears...
Empathize Spouse,
Parent and Child,
Comrades
Few peers,
Faces in the crowd...
Ne’er forget the Patriot,
Lying ‘neath the shroud,
Of Glorious Stars and Stripes,
Be proud,
Dare not ye speak, those disavowed!
Test not is Hero right,
Justified in cause,
Or dark, be damned,
By passive man,
Serve eternal pause...
For can you know the pain,
Can you touch the sore,
Can you taste the blood,
And hear the silence,
Of the Dead of War?
Hear first the Psalms,
The rifle blasts,
The “Praise Be God”,
And “Hallelujah,
He rests at last”...
Feel throats knot,
Silent cries,
Memories passing,
Behind moist eyes;
Vague attempts to realize...
Now disturbing quiet
Permeates the air,
Inaudible speech,
Tis oft somewhere;
Prevail, Despair...
Must that Knight in casket,
Feel the pain and dread,
Of comrades who survived,
Just to be chastised,
And wish they too were dead...
Has Gallant Soldier Fallen;
Ultimately is he whole?
Trust God be Judge; not man,
He has lost this weary life,
But not his immortal soul!
And, TAPS.....
DON HOLLAND - 04/15/99 10:43:34
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/Athens/Atlantis/2070/index.html
My Email:omb00965@mail.wvnet.edu
Branch of Service.: NAVY
Place of Overseas duty: 30 YEARS
MOS: MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER
Are you a member of the VVA: NOT YET
Home State: WEST VIRGINIA
Comments:
Don Holland
82 Terrace Dr.
White Sulphur Springs, WV 24986
Phone (304) 536-1686
Monday 29 Mar 1999
General Henry H. Shelton
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Pentagon
Washington, DC 20318-9999
Dear General Shelton,
WHAT WILL IT BE LIKE WITHOUT A MILITARY?
These are a very few examples of the hundreds of web pages we Veterans and Military
Retirees have posted on the Internet to educate the public and the active forces against
serving in a military for a government that betrayed us and will betray them. We believe
we are getting results.
http://www.oocities.org/Pentagon/Bunker/3853/campaign.htm
http://home.gvi.net/~rebel/
http://maxpages.com/vote.cgi
http://www.seacoast.com/~gordont
http://hometown.aol.com/soarngduv/Dave.htm
http://www.oocities.org/Heartland/Ridge/1815/
http://members.xoom.com/USFSPA
http://www.tlxnet.net/~boswell/where_u.html
http://members.xoom.com/ibdtrkr/index.html
http://users.northlink.net/jimdev/default.html
http://www.oocities.org/Athens/Atlantis/2070/index.html
http://members.aol.com/Cushing56/
http://members.aol.com/Cushing12/MilitaryDivorce/
http://members.tripod.com/twinpop2/
http://www.oocities.org/pentagon/bunker/3853
http://come.to/champus
http://www.apci.net/~jose1038/military.html
http://ro.com/nalnaus/index.shtml
http://www.oocities.org/CapitolHill/Senate/5050/
http://members.xoom.com/bantricare/
http://www.veterans-advocate.org/
http://www.snowcrest.net/soza/MyPlan.htm
http://www.classact-lawsuit.com/index.html
http://www.orbiter.com/ramrod/INDEX.HTM
http://expage.com/page/dawghouse
http://www.oocities.org/Pentagon/7589/darlington_main.html
http://www.concentric.net/~ronsm/
http://www.balista.com/bobs/
http://members.aol.com/carlkr/page1.htm
http://home.earthlink.net/~jody1/
http://www.oocities.org/Heartland/Hills/3187/
http://www.angelfire.com/ca2/EXTORT/index.html
http://members.tripod.com/~GillettD/index-2.html
http://www.lcc.whecn.edu/home/cthrasher/
http://members.aol.com/JHartranf/homepage/index.html
http://www.vabenefits.com/
http://www.oocities.org/RainForest/Jungle/5509/
http://members.aol.com/starzac/appeal.htm
http://www.suite101.com/welcome.cfm/military_veterans
http://www.enlisted.com/
http://www.oocities.org/CapitolHill/1053/
http://www.gslink.com/%7Earison/gws.html
http://www.usaor.net/users/tmkc/
http://web.mountain.net/~okernick/veterans.htm
http://expage.com/page/scdv100/
http://vets.com/
http://www.hadit.com/
http://www.soft-vision.com/ao_vets/
http://www.lakeozarks.net/~tedguy/tedguy.htm
http://www.ojc.org/
http://www.zoneeleven.net
http://www.users.ohiolinks.com/~rond/veterans.html
http://hometown.aol.com/jmiller03/personal/index.htm
http://www.n-link.com/~kirt/
http://www.retired-usairforce.com/
http://members.aol.com/billpo13/politics/index.htm
http://photo2.si.edu/offerings/offerings.html
http://hometown.aol.com/vet66a/page/index.htm
http://www.aiipowmia.com/
http://hometown.aol.com/soarngduv/Dave.htm
http://members.aol.com/dstormmom/vetcenter/
http://www.nashville.net/%7Ebobbyros/
http://www.vvof.org/
http://www.vietnamwallsouth.qpg.com/
http://www.normandy.eb.com/
http://www.patiencepress.com/
http://www.oocities.org/Pentagon/5975//geobook.html
http://www.oocities.org/CapitolHill/Lobby/3891/
http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/~fsears
http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/lig/f/s/fsears/doc11.htm
http://personal.lig.bellsouth.net/lig/f/s/fsears/meet.htm
http://www.veteransrightsnow.org
http://www.tlxnet.net/~boswell/where_u.html
http://www.devvy.com/military.html
http://members.aol.com/Cushing56/
http://members.aol.com/Cushing12/MilitaryDivorce/
http://www.fwb.gulf.net/~skays/wise
http://www.oocities.org/CapitolHill/9046/
http://www.oocities.org/CapitolHill/Senate/7545/
http://maxpages.com/allvetscmdr/
http://expage.com/page/medicalhomeproject
http://www.neta.com/~1stbooks/v1.htm
http://www.comsource.net/~close/Keng.html
http://www.soft-vision.com/hanoi/
http://www.fwb.gulf.net/~skays/wise
Our goal is 100,000 web pages to protest the incredible arrogance of this government
in passing and then refusing to reform the Uniformed Services Former Spouses’
Protection Act, that permits such egregious injustice as the garnishment of 65% of a 100%
disabled Veteran’s V. A. Disability Compensation for his unfaithful ex-spouse who moved
in with the next door neighbor who was a draft dodger.
We are also protesting the government reneging on promises of free lifetime health
care for military retirees and their eligible edependents, and concurrent receipt, as well as
the many other grievances included in the Web Sites listed above. There are thousands of
us working extremely hard to correct the egregious injustice that has been perpetrated on
us by this government and our military leaders in the Pentagon. We have organized a
1,000,000 Veteran Rally at the Washington Monument for this Memorial Day, to unite
and solidify all Veterans behind our common goal which is to force the government to
honor the one absolute right we earned by offering our lives in the defense of our country:
THE ABSOLUTE RIGHT TO FAIR TREATMENT.
The proposals you are working on in Congress at this very time to improve recruiting
and retention are the same false promises that were made to millions of us in the past, and
that you reneged on. Who would be fool enough to believe you would keep these
promises the second time, when you have already broken them in the past? We will make
damned sure that the youth of this country and the active Armed Forces know how we
were betrayed so they can make an informed decision about offering their life for a
government that deceives and betrays us so blatantly.
Sic semper tyrannus!!!!!
Sincerely,
Don Holland
NCCM USN RET
USASMA CLASS 19
Linda Cunningham - 04/03/99 04:43:26
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/Nashville/4167/Patriotic.html
My Email:lindamc@visuallink.com
Branch of Service.: (former wife of... Navy...)
Home State: (Romney, WV)
Comments:
I salute and support you all. I wrote this poem for you in 1970..now it is a song..Perhaps you have seen.. THE ODE TO THE FLAG..My ex was Phillip C. Keys..PLEASE see my page!!
SFC Ray E. Shockey - 03/29/99 02:12:40
My URL:http://www.wvadventures.net
My Email:rshock@wvadventures.net
Branch of Service.: U.S. Army
Place of Overseas duty: Korea
Years Overseas: 1969
MOS: 42D20/92Y40
Are you a member of the VVA: No. Plan on joining. VFW, American Legion, at this time.
Home State: West Virginia
Comments:
Proud of all veterans serving their country. Job well done. Retired US Army.
Dennis Curry - 03/28/99 17:24:54
My Email:dcurry@citynet.net
Branch of Service.: USMC
Place of Overseas duty: Vietnam
Years Overseas: 1967-68
MOS: 0302 - Infantry Officer
Are you a member of the VVA: No
Home State: West Virginia
Comments:
William (Bill) H. Stoddard Jr. GMCS USNR Ret. - 03/20/99 19:04:25
My URL:http:// Not Yet
My Email:Wstoddardj@aol.com
Branch of Service.: US Navy Reserve
Place of Overseas duty: USS Constellation, CVA-64, Tonkin Gulf
Years Overseas: April'66-Nov.'66
MOS: Gunners Mate Missiles 3rd/2nd Class (E-4/5)
Are you a member of the VVA: Life Member of Chapter #11, Sufolk County, Long Island, NY
Home State: North Babylon, L.I., New York
Comments:
Great site. Maybe some of the NO signers will think again and join VVA after seeing what your efforts lead to. Good luck and Wecolme Home Brothers.
dennis bute - 03/17/99 17:10:59
My Email:dlbute@smig.net
Branch of Service.: army
Place of Overseas duty: quang tri
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: minnesota
Comments:
i'am looking for roger randolph, alious hillbilly
he drove guntruck called justifier operation dewey canyon 2, 70-71, if anybody knows him please have him contact, a bunch of nam nomads are looking for him!!!!!!!!
Tom Rico - 03/16/99 04:22:57
My Email:swarve@sprynet.com
Branch of Service.: Army
Place of Overseas duty: Ben Hoa, Dong Tam,Delta
Years Overseas: ( 1 ) year
MOS: 31m20
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: Rhode Island
Comments:
I served time in the 53 rd signal group=4 mo.
and the 9 th Infantry = the rest of the time, in
" 67 " - " 68 ".
Tom Rico - 03/16/99 04:09:48
My Email:swarve@sprynet.com
Branch of Service.: Army
Place of Overseas duty: Vietnam
Years Overseas: ( 1 ) year
MOS: 31m20
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: Rhode Island
Comments:
I served time in the 53 rd signal group=4 mo.
and the 9 th Infantry = the rest of the time, in
" 67 " - " 68 ".
Oliver A. Pettit - 03/07/99 03:08:18
My Email:oliver@fastlane.net
Branch of Service.: USMC USAF
Place of Overseas duty: sea
Years Overseas: 2yrs
MOS: 2100
Are you a member of the VVA: no,Life Member USMC League
Home State: Texas
Comments:
Looking for Marines from Plt 232 233 234 June-Sept 1963 Parris Island South Carolina.
God Bless All Our Fallen Brothers and Sisters
A1C Turner - 02/28/99 23:47:44
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/pentagon/barracks/1178
My Email:ptdelaf@hotmail.com
Branch of Service.: USAF
Home State: Delaware
Comments:
Just looking at military sites to maybe get some ideas, Thanks A1C Turner USAF McConnell AFB, KS
mike gum - 02/27/99 23:50:16
My Email:mike@naz.com
Branch of Service.: army
Place of Overseas duty: vietnam
MOS: 64b20
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: west virginia now ohio
Comments:
Just logged on going to brose see what's new
mike gum - 02/27/99 23:48:22
My Email:mike@naz.com
Branch of Service.: army
Place of Overseas duty: vietnam
MOS: 64b20
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: ohio
Comments:
Just logged on going to brose see what's new
Ronda Dempsey - 02/24/99 07:16:26
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/Pentagon/Bunker/9220/patriotic.htm
My Email:grneyes969|@aol.com
Branch of Service.: Adopted POW/MIA
Place of Overseas duty: ...
Are you a member of the VVA: I am trying to join the web ring.
Home State: West Virginia
Comments:
I enjoyed your site very much. I am making one of my own and I like looking at other web sites like this to see all the people that care about all of our fighting men.
James R Lavender - 02/13/99 16:24:13
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/Heartland/Valley/4502/WVMIA.html
My Email:JLaven1724@email.msn.com
Branch of Service.: USAF - Tactical operations
Place of Overseas duty: Vietnam
Years Overseas: 70-71
Are you a member of the VVA: Yes - Life Member - NC at large
Home State: WV (now live in Charlotte, NC)
Comments:
This is a great site you have. Keep up with the good work. I have a site above "POW-MIA of West Virginia"
robert kidwell - 02/12/99 23:07:34
My Email:r_kidwell@citlink.net
Branch of Service.: army
Place of Overseas duty: danang /saigon
Years Overseas: one
MOS: bravo 12
Are you a member of the VVA: yes chapter 628 princeton
Home State: west virginia
Comments:
enjoyed myself very much
robert d kidwell - 02/12/99 22:56:48
Branch of Service.: DANANG/SAIGON
Place of Overseas duty: ONE
Comments:
rachel - 02/05/99 22:00:31
My Email:blondfrog43@yahoo.com
Comments:
very nice web page mitch , you are a very nice friend , hope to talk to you soon.by rachel
George D Shaffer - 02/04/99 13:44:12
My URL:http://www.pdm.gshaffer@pdm.com
My Email:gshaffer@pdm.com
Branch of Service.: ARMY
Place of Overseas duty: Chu Lai Viet Nam
Years Overseas: 1968
MOS: 67n20
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: W.VA.
Comments:
God Bless all US Military Veterans
- 02/03/99 03:19:36
Comments:
Greywolf - 01/25/99 00:22:48
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/Area51/Keep/2755/
My Email:slayerjack@hotmail.com
Home State: Indiana
Comments:
Just signing your other pages buddy,this ione is great too,keep it up,your friend Greywolf
Ron Nelson Sr. - 01/14/99 07:02:35
My Email:VietVetRN@aol.com
Branch of Service.: Army
Place of Overseas duty: Vietnam
MOS: Engineer
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: WVa.
Comments:
Keep this site going,I'll pass the word on Thanks
Opyoke Andrew - 01/12/99 03:31:40
Branch of Service.: Army
MOS: 640
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: WV
Comments:
Joe Cassidy - 12/28/98 02:51:56
My URL:http://www.oocities.org/pentagon/bunker/7404
My Email:cassjj@iinc.com
Branch of Service.: Army
Place of Overseas duty: Vietnam
MOS: 72B40
Are you a member of the VVA: no - American Legion
Home State: New York
Comments:
Nice Job
Martha Mitchem - 12/14/98 20:58:28
My Email:mtminc1@aol.com
Branch of Service.: N/A
Comments:
I am proud to say that I am the daughter of your president, Charles Mitchem. This is my first visit to your web site.
Lawrence Turner - 12/06/98 02:33:04
My Email:grdpndr50
Branch of Service.: USMC
Place of Overseas duty: Viet Nam
MOS: 0311
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: N.Y.
Comments:
I am happy to see this site. I have been looking for viet nam sites for a long time.
Al Ruble - 12/05/98 17:16:36
My Email:adruble@yahoo.com
Branch of Service.: USAF/USCG
Place of Overseas duty: Viet Nam, Thailand Okinawa, Japan, PI, Taiwan
Years Overseas: 64-70
MOS: A43171 C130 aircrew
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: WV
Comments:
Great site, send info on membership, any Chapters in Beckley area?
Al Ruble - 12/05/98 17:09:32
My Email:adruble@yahoo.com
Branch of Service.: USAF/USCG
Place of Overseas duty: Viet Nam, Thailand
MOS: A43171
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: WV
Comments:
GARY L. ULLOM - 11/24/98 00:58:28
My Email:Pgludju@yahoo.com
Branch of Service.: U.S. Army
Place of Overseas duty: Vietnam
Years Overseas: 1 Year
MOS: 12E40
Are you a member of the VVA: No
Home State: West Virginia
Comments:
I am not curently a member of VVA, please send me an application. I was assigned Company "C"
8th Engineer Battalion, 1st Air Cavalry Division
( Vietnam).
If anyone is looking for 8th Engineer Buddies please contact me, I do not have information on all but do have the largest listing available. I might know where some one you are looking for is, or some one may be looking for you.
I am currently residing in Arizona.
Gary L. Ullom
Eddie Josephs - 11/06/98 22:44:04
My Email:eddj@ozemail.com.au
Branch of Service.: Royal Australian Engineers
Place of Overseas duty: Nui Dat, Phuoc Tuy Province, Vietnam
Years Overseas: October '67 - July '68
Are you a member of the VVA: Yes, In Australia
Home State: Northern Territory, Australia
Comments:
Nice one Mitch. Good Luck
Oliver Jackson - 11/06/98 18:58:04
My Email:ojjackson@hotmail.com
Branch of Service.: USMC
Place of Overseas duty: Da Nang, Hill 37, 55
Years Overseas: 69-70
MOS: 0341
Are you a member of the VVA: yes
Home State: West Virginia
Comments:
I love this page!!!!!
Roger Hunton - 11/05/98 15:08:10
My Email:vnveteran1@aol.com
Branch of Service.: Army
Place of Overseas duty: PhuBai, DaNang, HoiAn
MOS: 05c.20
Are you a member of the VVA: no
Home State: Maine
Comments:
Your pahe is beautiful Mitch. I love it. I will be back for sanother visit. Welcome home!!!!!
Charles E. Mitchem - 11/03/98 21:13:35
My Email:charlese@citlink.net
Branch of Service.: US Air Force
Place of Overseas duty: Puerto Rico, Guam, Vietnam, Thailand
MOS: 46270, Weapons Loader
Are you a member of the VVA: Yes Life Member
Home State: West Virginia
Comments:
Great and its going to get much better. I wanted to be first signing on. Thanks OJ you are Great. WVSC, President
Welcome to The