Vietnam Reflections
 
 
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The Point March 2009
-The Point-
Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc.
Chapter 172
17 N. Liberty Street
Phone 1-777-7001 Cumberland, Maryland 21502-2316 FAX 1-301-777-7041
1-800-482-VETS Email vva172@atlanticbbn.net
The First Chapter in the State of Maryland - The Gold Standard
March 2009
"The V.A Is not going to close Re-Entry..."
Peggy Melotti
Feb. 24,2009
That was the word from Peggy Melotti
Tuesday February 24 in a packed meeting room at VVA 172. Most of those attending were clients or former clients of Re-Entry Associates veterans counseling along with a handful veteran's wives.
Several of those attending told the standard horror stories about how they have been treated by the V.A. However many more told of the help that they have received at Re-Entry in the form of counseling. Many veterans told of how their lives have been saved and turned around by the help that they have received by Peggy and her crew.
In 1982 when Peggy started working with veterans suffering the symptoms of traumatic exposure to war, it was then called Delayed Stress Syndrome, or shell shock, combat fatigue, or in many cases "I don't know what the hell is wrong with me." The V.A. didn't have any idea that there was a problem. I guess that they had
forgotten what happened to the guys returning from WWII and Korea. Eventually the V.A. came around with Vet Centers. Now after years of half stepping with veterans the V.A. wants to be the only provider of mental health services to veterans. Forget about who was there first or the great work that Re-Entry has done with hundreds of veterans the V.A. plan is to shut Re-Entry down.
So what can we do, and by we I mean everybody not just the clients of Re-Entry, everybody. Enclosed in the newsletter this month is a list of names, addresses, emails and phone numbers. Start writing we need letters and emails sent to our representatives at both the state and national levels. Keep it clean and respectful, but assertive. Remind them that this is a service that is established and recognized by veterans of this area as a place to receive help in dealing with the unseen scars of war.
Want another reason to write? Look at it this way; this is another service being taken away from veterans under the guise of cost cutting. We have to look out for ourselves.
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WHO ARE WE?
Editorial Opinion
Sometimes I lose direction as to what the VVA is or is supposed to be, If you read the previous article asking you to write your reps concerning Re-Entry that's what we were intended to be a tool for the use of veterans to secure their rights.
All too many of us forget this from time to time. I sit through BOD meetings twice a month and listen to the endless parade of request for monetary donations from the chapter. I wonder how many of these people (not VVA members) would be willing to write a letter on behalf of Re-Entry or any other veteran's issue?
For that matter what have we heard from the membership lately informative discussions of pending legislation that would affect veterans and their families. NO.
Suggestions of how improve our image in the community or with other veterans groups. NO.
What has been the pressing issue in the chapter lately? Tell you what I've heard on a daily basis. Oh, are we having pizza again! So and so brought in an extra guest last week! It's too cold in the Chapter, it's too hot in the Chapter, it's too noisy, it's too crowded, it's just too!
Too bad this is not what we are supposed to be. We are the VVA, we the ones that fought the good fight to get Agent Orange legislation passed, to get PTSD recognized as an illness. We fought to get discharge upgrades and to open more military records. It was the VVA who fought for to get NARS (National Atomic Radiation Survivors) compensated for the cancer that they contracted due to radiation exposure. VVA National as well as Chapter 172 has fought hard for veterans rights and to improve the lot of all veterans in general. Do you remember when we took six bus loads of WWII vets to D.C. to visit their memorial? Were you there did you help?
Look, the social aspect of VVA 172 is a great little bit of icing on the cake, but it is not the only we do and it is definitely not our main function.
Most of the membership fought in a war. Those who didn't supported the effort, but we were all willing to go for most of us it was just the luck of the draw. My point being generally speaking we have it better now than we ever have. Things are pretty (once again generally speaking) good. But we are still in the fight for veterans rights. As far as complaints from guest, I will take them with a grain of salt and try to remain polite.
Now join the fight.
Steve Parsons
March 2009
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Election News
As already stated the annual Chapter election will be held at the membership meeting April 2, 2009. The meeting starts at 8:00pm the election committee will secure the front door after the meeting starts. No one will be admitted to the Chapter once the doors are locked, please make an effort to come early. As always there will be a BOD meeting at 6:00pm.
And The Candidates Are
For President, Bobby Cook
1st VP Steve Parsons
2nd VP Roger Krueger
Mike Jordan
Carl Garlitz
Secretary Bill Lange
Treasurer Stan Kline
Jim Williams
Board of Directors
Denny Bantz
Chip Bosley
Joe Brennen
Rodger Long
Bob Peck
Dave Shaulis
Ray Everly
Marty Kolb
Gary Shope
Now shake hands and come out fighting.
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The average American eats 286 eggs per year.
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Adopt a Highway Clean Up
It's that time again this spring to pick up the trash along our adopted portion of Route 36 between Motor City and Corriganville. In order to participate, you'll need to attend a class at the chapter first. If you are interested, please call the chapter office 301-777-7001 and let us know. We will then contact you with the class date and time. The more hands on deck, the better!
Thanks a lot.
Chip Bosley
Community Affairs Chair
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The words loosen and unloosen mean the same thing.
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Field Sanitation
By Harry Hooper In mid-September of 1966 I was ordered to an observation post called Crow's Nest. It was on top of Marble Mountain south of the airstrip at Danang. It was the mission of the Crow's Nest observation post to protect the airstrip, and to keep the Viet Cong from damaging the air-conditioned trailers of the aviators, and the nice barracks of their support troops, by firing rockets or mortars at them. The aircraft were a concern also. The mission was to be accomplished by raining artillery fire onto the heads of any VC who had the temerity to attack the big base and the Marine air base which was north and east of the mountain. Marble Mountain was actually several spindly shafts of rock. The highest one rose 105 meters straight out of the sand just west of the South China Sea and it was upon this rock that the Crow's Nest sat. The mountain was mostly made of marble except that the marble became karst at the higher elevations. The entire mountain was full of caves and tunnels. Most of them were too small for a man to enter. I think if it had been possible to saw it in half it would look like a plank eaten by termites. At the summit was an area which was 20 feet at its widest and in length, it was perhaps 150 feet. This was occupied by a wooden platform upon which was emplaced a 106 millimeter recoilless rifle. The plan was that anytime the wily Cong fired rockets at the airstrip, they would be engaged immediately by the 106 while the FO, me, would send a fire mission to my artillery battalion which would blast the offending VC into rubble. Since the VC only fired rockets at night, and usually moonless nights, exactly how we were to accomplish this was never revealed to me. Life on Crow's Nest was not unpleasant. There were eight of us up there. There was the 106 crew, a couple of machine gunners manning a single M-60, my trusty radio operator, Lance Corporal Papkin, and my wireman, PFC Clapp. Once a week a CH-34 helicopter would appear slinging beneath it a cargo net containing C-rats, beer, and cigarettes. Prior lifts had delivered timber and corrugated tin which had been used to construct comfortable hooch. We had all of the comforts of home and unlike home; we could wake up mornings to a splendid view of the South China Sea and enjoy spectacular sunsets over the Annamese Mountains. Moreover, we felt safe. The climb to the top of Crow's Nest was quite difficult and entailed shinnying up a hawser for part of the way. At night we would pull the hawser to the top and we felt pretty sure that no VC could get to us, at least not without working up a substantial sweat. Occasionally, at dusk, a sniper would crank off a round or two in our direction and we would answer with a short blast from the M-60. If we were feeling particularly surly, or if a round holed our tin roof, we would reply with a 106 HEAT round. It did occur to me that my military career would be in serious jeopardy if some enterprising VC got to the top, swung the 106 to the north, and proceeded to blast away at important people's command posts and trailers. Consequently, every time we heard any strange sounds from the side of the mountain we tossed grenades at them. Days were spent eating, drinking beer, smoking cigarettes, and listening to a tape player which had a single Beatles tape. The album was called "Revolver" and Eleanor Rigby was the featured song, or at least the only one I remember. We must have heard it a thousand times. After enough beer I would actually began to worry about Eleanor's plight. On a typical day we would watch air traffic circling and landing at Danang. One day we saw a B-52 make an unsuccessful emergency landing. Crow's Nest must have been at least ten miles from the airfield but nevertheless, when the wind was favorable, it was possible to hear C-130's revving up. At night we would watch F-4's and F-105's scream overhead with their afterburners flaring. One night we saw an F-4 get hit by an errant 105 millimeter illumination round and watched in amazement as the pilots parachuted from the plane. More astonishingly, a little Kaman helicopter was there to pick them up almost as soon as they hit the ground. When vehicles traveled the MSR heading south, to what was then the 1st Battalion, 1st Marines CP, we would watch closely for snipers shooting at them. Occasionally we would see a small firefight between the Marines in the vehicles and the VC. The 106 gunners, who were truly crack shots, would fire at the snipers, undoubtedly scaring the bejesus out of the truckers, and perhaps erasing a few VC. The 106 had a .50 caliber rifle on top of the weapon. This was called the minor caliber. The 106 itself, was called the major caliber. The gunner, when he found the target with the minor caliber, would yell, "fire the major caliber." The explosion from the recoilless rifle was like the crack of doom. The difference between the minor caliber and the major caliber was like the difference between a hand grenade explosion and the atom bomb. We also had a dog which provided some entertainment. The dog was named Boom Boom, either out of respect for the 106 or after entertainment of the same name which was available for a few piasters from one of the professional women who plied their trade in the village of Nui Kim Son. It was a nice little dog and probably lived its entire life on top of Crow's Nest since I am sure the OP was occupied by U.S. troops until the pullout. That is not a lot of running room for a dog for an entire lifetime but it probably beat becoming rotisserie dog. One of the problems with eight Marines on a small piece of real estate was that of field sanitation. This had been temporarily solved by placing a 106 ammo box, with an appropriate hole cut into it, over a shaft in the limestone which was at least 12 to 15 feet straight down. It seemed to angle off to the side after that and we suspected that it continued deep into the mountain. When relieving oneself of C-rats washed down with beer, the alimentary canal produced a product which resounded with a satisfying splat as it bottomed into the abyss of the pit. In time, the OP, especially at night, became redolent of sewage. As a highly trained second lieutenant, having been a recent graduate of The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia, I resolved to solve this. Someone could have become ill as a result of this situation, or at least gag. Accordingly, I contacted the S-4 on the radio and requested gasoline so that the offending matter could be incinerated. In due time the supply helicopter arrived with its cargo net and with it, four jerry cans of diesel fuel. It may have been a product of our boredom or the excitement of having something new to accomplish, but in any event, as soon as the cans were unloaded, we removed the ammo box and poured twenty gallons of diesel fuel into the pit. With great anticipation we threw a match into the pit. Nothing. Then we lit a pack of matches and tossed it into the odoriferous hole. Nothing. Then we lit a large splinter from an ammo box and tossed it into the maw. It made a nice little fire for a while but the diesel didn't catch. Next came an illumination grenade. The pit remained as fireless as a tenderfoot with flint and steel. That is when we learned that diesel doesn't burn, at least, it didn't on Crow's Nest. Our disappointment was palpable. This failure resulted in a radio call to the air officer requesting gasoline. We were informed that the pilots thought gasoline to be unsafe cargo when put in a cargo net which had to be deposited on a narrow rock ledge. If the gasoline can collided with the rock, the whole helicopter would erupt in flame, or so I was told. It was suggested that we should climb down the mountain, walk to the CP, strap a five gallon can of gasoline on a pack frame, and manhandle it up the mountain. This suggestion, it should be noted, came from the air officer. The situation was becoming one of those righteous welfare of the troops issues and with all of the indignation that could be mustered by a second lieutenant, I suggested that this was a matter which should be kicked upstairs. Eventually, the battalion executive officer came up on the net and we had a serious discussion about field sanitation and the lack of an infantry battalion commander's power to order Marine aviators to do anything. The next week the cargo helicopter arrived and in the big net I spotted five jerry cans. I knew right away they contained gasoline because the pilot flipped me a bird right before he chopped back to the Marble Mountain Airstrip. I don't know how battalion got it done but, in any event, we were in business.
Into the abyss went twenty-five gallons of gasoline which mingled with the diesel which had pooled there from the previous week's effort. It was late afternoon. The sea breeze wafted in from the South China Sea, rustling the hairs on our heads which were already tingling with excitement. I delivered a safety lecture of sorts on the explosive tendencies of gasoline and suggested that we ignite the gas with an illumination grenade tossed from a safe distance. A volunteer agreed to do the deed and pulled the pin from the grenade. We watched over his shoulder as he tossed the device into the pit with precision. For a moment, there was silence. Then the mountain began to shudder and then to vibrate and then a loud roar split the silence of the afternoon. Flame burst from the mouth of the pit like a mighty tongue, and to our astonishment, additional blasts roared from the sides of the mountain like fumaroles on the cone of an erupting volcano. It in fact was Vesuvius, Krakatoa, and Pinatubo, rolled into one. We marveled at the magnitude of our work. The radio crackled to life immediately. It was battalion headquarters, located in the flatlands some three miles away, excitingly inquiring as to the nature of the calamity. Flame and smoke, they stated, were coming everywhere from the mountain. They demanded information as to the cause. We were safe, we reported. We were just conducting routine field sanitation. In time the holocaust subsided to a mere roar. The air smelled of burning petroleum products. By dusk the fire was out and the opening once more sported the ammunition box with the hole in it, the box which was so supportive of our daily life on the OP. I never had the need to conduct field sanitation on Crow's Nest again. Shortly after this event, I rejoined my rifle company and became engaged in more serious business. Thirty-four years have passed since that day and I still think of the Crow's Nest every time I hear the Beatles wailing about Eleanor Rigby. It's the nearest thing to a flashback I've ever had ++++++++++++++ During WWII Great Britain devised a way to construct a working aircraft carrier out of ice and saw dust. However the war ended before it could be implemented.
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Radio Commentator Dies
Paul Harvey died on February 28, 2009, at the age of 90 after being taken to a hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. He died while surrounded by family and friends. His son, Paul Harvey Jr., said "millions have lost a friend" in response to his father's death.The cause was not immediately known.
In 1970 he came under heavy criticism when he told Pres. Nixon the Vietnam War was wrong.
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Join The Club
That was a common comment I heard last week when I told several members of the Chapter that I was just diagnosed with diabetes. Apparently I am late in joining the club, which I could have done without, but it is a life membership, I think we should get shirts.
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TAPS
Chapter member Gary Durst died tragically February 25, 2009 in a tree cutting accident. Always a friend to the end he was doing a favor for a neighbor cutting a tree down. He will be sadly missed by family, friends and loved ones. In lieu of flowers the Chapter made a donation to the Animal Welfare Society. Rest in peace.
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Contacts to Write or Call
Ron Bell, GWOT Veterans Advocate
OIF?OEF for both Maryland and W.V. 1-800-3807 ext: 4177
Maryland
Roscoe Bartlett, Congressman - contact Brenda Franz
1 Frederick St.
Cumberland, MD. 21502
301-724-3105- fax 301-724-3538
Email:Brenda.frantz@mail.house.gov
Barbara Mikulski, MD. Senator - Contact Denise Nooe
60 West St. Suite 202
Annapolis, MD. 21401-2448
Ph. 410-263-1805
Fax 410-263-5949
Email: denise_nooe@mikulski.senate.gov
Benjamin Cardin, MD. Senator
Contact Mr. Robin Summerfield
Scenic Railroad Station
13 Canal Street 3rd Floor
Cumberland, MD. 21502
Ph. 301-777-2957
Fax 301-777-2959
gov
Geroge Edwards, MD. Senator
Contact: Kin McMillan
113 Baltimore St. Suite 201
Cumberland, MD 21502
PH: 310-777-4780
Toll free 1-866-430-9553
Fax 301-722-4790.
Email
West Virginia
Jay Rockefeller, WV Senator
Contact: Meg Cianfrocca
118 Adams St. Suite 301
Fairmont, WV 26554-2841
PH 304-367-0822
Fax 304-367-0822
.gov
Robert C. Byrd, WV Senator
Contact: Christine Hewett
300 Virginia Street East Suite 2630
Charleston, WV 25301
Ph 304-342-5855
Fax 304-342-7144
Email : Christine_hewett@byrd.senate.gov
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