Pam Clark - 10/02/00 15:09:22
My Email:PCLARK@email.usps.gov
Are you a Veteran?: no, my husband is
What branch?: Army Ranger
When?: 1969?
Writer/playwright: director and actor

Comments:


barb bernath - 09/22/00 12:46:28
My Email:lindeman12@hotmail.com
Are you a Veteran?: no

Comments:
I am a high school English teacher in southern Michigan. I teach a unit on literature from the Vietnam War. I read about you in the MEA Voice. I was wondering if you could provide some appropriate reading material for my students. I currently teach fro The Things They Carried, by Tim O'Brien and Letters Home From Vietnam. I also like to play tunes of the time during my unit. I am having a hard time finding material that is appropriate for my students to read. (actually, I think a lot more is appropr ate than my administrators. :)) I was wondering if you had any ideas of reading material for my students. I also wondered about a tape/CD that would have songs that are appropriate to the War. Write now I just have to buy a CD from a certain person and u e one or two songs off of it. I would appreciate any suggestions. Thanks for your time, Barb Bernath

Nick Juno - 07/19/00 18:19:28
Are you a Veteran?: yes
What branch?: U.S.M.C.
When?: '81-85

Comments:


David M Colvin - 05/27/00 15:51:55
My Email:david503@email.msn.com
Are you a Veteran?: yes
What branch?: u.s.army
When?: 1965/1972

Comments:
thanks for the welcome home,if know one has said it welcome home to you too! In-country 66/67----69/70----70/71 2 1/2 years Chu Lai area Trans Co driver/gun Trk commander / apc convoy sec team TF/57-2 duc pho

your lover - 04/05/00 17:36:36
Are you a Veteran?: nope

Comments:
Love your web-site

Jim Gould - 03/23/00 21:06:14
My Email:JGould2@prodigy.net

Comments:


Jim Gould - 03/23/00 21:04:14
What branch?: 101st Airborne Division
When?: 1966-1967

Comments:
Welcome Home all my Brothers & Sisters from the Greater Flint area. I can still remember leaving the bus Depot in Flint for the Army, September 13, 1965. Please let me know when the Michigan Vietnam Memorial will be dedicated. I was from Fenton, now live n Florida

Richard Nesibith - 02/10/00 01:39:42
My Email:r.nesibith@worldnet.att.net
Are you a Veteran?: YES
What branch?: U S ARMY
When?: 1968

Comments:
Hey Joe I am still trying to get some information on how can I get a nat'l vva paper . Also it is very hard to contact your supply person Your webpage I like it very much Hello to all the Guys You know that I have been a member for many years now and never attended a meeting But I did serve a tour of duty at BlueBell beach when the moving wall was there in 1988 (?) Glad to be home Nesibith (NESZ)

Richard Nesibith - 02/10/00 01:38:59
My Email:r.nesibith@worldnet.att.net
Are you a Veteran?: YES
What branch?: U S ARMY
When?: 1968

Comments:
Hey Joe I am still trying to get some information on how can I get a nat'l vva paper . Also it is very hard to contact your supply person Your webpage I like it very much Hello to all the Guys You know that I have been a member for many years now and never attended a meeting But I did serve a tour of duty at BlueBell beach when the moving wall was there in 1988 (?) Glad to be home

Michael Mishler - 12/31/99 23:20:15
My Email:MishEMT1@AOL.com
Are you a Veteran?: no

Comments:
Hi Dad, Nice web site.

Michael Bowen-Flagman - 11/27/99 05:53:47
My Email:mbowen@gfn.org
Are you a Veteran?: Yes
What branch?: U.S.Army
When?: 1968-70
Writer/playwright: Tool&Die Maker

Comments:
I wasn't there but I care! In the process of running one mile for every name on the Wall. Over half way, 32,450 ran miles with the POW/MIA flag. If I live long enough I'll be 65 when I'm done. Started in 1984. Ride in Rolling Thunder anually Member of UAW 1292 Veterans Committee. Great site

Ed Henry - 11/18/99 04:41:57
My Email:namconkhi@aol.com
Are you a Veteran?: Sometimes
What branch?: U.S. Navy
When?: 1961 - 1967
Writer/playwright: Never

Comments:
Hey Joe! We missed you in Washington, D.C. for the annual Veterans' Day events but I understand you were producing a play up in Flint. Be there on Memorial Day 2000 or be square! Best regards from all your friends in Washington, D.C.

john crowley - 10/30/99 04:04:57
Are you a Veteran?: yes
What branch?: army
When?: 69/70
Writer/playwright: pipefitter

Comments:
thanks for the welcome home

GT - 09/07/99 00:30:15
My URL:http://www.seacoast.com/~gordont/
My Email:gordont@map.com
Are you a Veteran?: yep!
What branch?: USAF
When?: 1968-1991
Writer/playwright: you want a story see web!

Comments:
Military R&R: (Retention Rot) . . . For those who call themselves patriotic Americans, who value their freedoms, and wish this country to continue . . . remember freedom costs us all, but that cost must not include insult and an unappreciative attitude by an indifferent society. George Was ington said it best: “The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve, in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the veterans of early wars (and peacetimes) were treated and appreciated by their nation” Keep that in mind as you read the following: “Military R&R (Retention Rot) report! If you are active career military (or a first termer considering a military career), a retired veteran (receiving a pension/retainer pay), a civilian spouse of any one of the former, a high school counseling authority, and/or especially a concerned Americ n taxpayer, it is important that you understand the 'problem' of the USFSPA (Uniform Services Former Spouses Protection Act). This 1982 Law (A Congressional Action) allows any divorce court judge to treat federal retainer pay as BOTH wage AND property. In a sense the divorce court judge is allowed to double-dip into the retired veteran's funds in order to assure that the disgru tled spouse will not adversely impact the judge’s welfare coffers of that county (this helps assure the judge’s employment position at the bench of law – a blatant act of conflict of interest!). No-Fault divorce does not allow the determination of any wrong doing; therefore, no matter who caused the divorce (or even if there is No-Reason / No-Cause) the ex-spouse can receive up to 65% of the veterans retainer pay (and a portion of that is for LIFE regardless of whether the spouse remarries or not). The inconsistencies and controversies of this law along with the arrogant attack by the legal society and our government which it dishes out to veterans who give twenty plus years of honorable service for this nation (for YOU), is pathetically sickening! All one need do is dial up "USFSPA" into any search engine (on the internet) and the ‘problem’ will become painfully apparent. This report/letter here gives ten cases of law (http://pages.map.com/gordont/ltr8pay-is-income.htm) and this URL provides the Pu itzer prize photo and story of POW Col Bob Strim (http://www.seacoast.com/~gordont/baghdadb.htm ). Three specific areas are significant and damaging to the abilities of recruiters to maintain a professional all-volunteer career force: ONE: no other agency in the Government considers retainer pay as property except the divorce courts. Worse, even the s ate tax authorities treat federal retainer pay as taxable INCOME (wage) yet when in divorce the judge magically hocus pocuses it into property (to suit their own county financial agenda to protect their welfare system)! TWO: the military and or the govern ent does NOT tell the career force about this USFSPA/No-Fault 'problem'. They may inform the troops that the USFSPA exists, but they do not explain the 'problem' which threatens them later when they are retired veterans. And even though they should retire and not receive the full retainer pay, should Congress recall, they are still obligated to form up. THREE: the USFSPA law was NOT grandfathered for those who were in uniform and ALREADY IN CAREER STATUS in 1982. As an example, I was 14 years career in 19 2 and yet this law was made to impact my retainer pay (later when I retired in 1991). Such a law should have only effected those who came in the service in 1982 or who had just begun their second hitch and therefore, on their career progression ladder. Two issues which show the inconsistency (and unfairness) of the USFSPA demonstrate the unappreciative attitude of the legal and civilian society toward the career service individual. ONE: the USFSPA amount deducted is the result of a mathematical formula based on the rank of the military individual at the time of retirement, NOT the rank at the time of divorce. Therefore, a spouse need only accomplish ten years of marriage, state “ir econcilable differences” (be it true or not – no-fault allows no determination either way), get the divorce accomplished, and then come back later (in ten more years – a total of twenty - when the military member retires) and collect her ‘reward’ based on the retirement rank, see (http://www.seacoast.com/~gordont/poster.htm ). NOTE: the ‘Ten Year Marriage Time’ DFAS rule is ONLY for the issuance of the automatic payment. The judge can order any payment based on ANY LENGTH of military service and/or marriag time!) TWO: the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) will provide an automatic payment to the spouse based on the no-fault court’s order providing the spouse has been married for at least ten years during the time the military member was in active servi e. This is a very interesting quandary for the DFAS because it rewards the civilian ex-spouse for her ‘service’ as a wife for staying married for those ten years (that her husband served in uniform) but the DFAS does NOT reward any other military member w o spent ten years or more but less than twenty years IN UNIFORM! Congress makes its priorities insultingly apparent in that it values the civilian ex-spouse who divorces her military mate after serving only ten years of marriage more than those who defe d our nation in a military uniform for more than ten years but less than 20 (as they do not retire and so receive NOTHING)! So much for appreciation, common sense, and justice. And in talking about the integrity and loyalty of our armed services, Congress onal members need to take a basic refresher course! During a time when retention is down and recruiters are having a difficult time acquiring quality first termers such action taken against veterans should WAKE UP THE COUNTRY. The truth is, that a career in the military is chancy at best! The statistics and ‘stories’ reveal the depth of . . . ‘Military R&R’ (Retention Rot). Of those that go career over 90% of them will get married (with one major exception). It is just a fact of normal life that over 90% do try marriage between the ages of 19-30 years f age. Of the News Reports provided at (http://www.seacoast.com/~gordont/mil-report-mags.htm) the one titled “Fighting Families” states the following in the seventh paragraph (by MG John Meyer): “Some aspects of the Total Army Family appear traditional. For example, a range of family entitlements -- including housing subsidies, health care, and ``high quality'' child care -- encourages early marriage and/or childbearing. But the high rate of earl marriage in the military is matched by abnormally high rates of family turmoil and divorce. Moreover, the birth of children in the military increasingly occurs outside the bonds of matrimony, with ``the Total Army Family'' assuming the roles of both brea winner and caregiver for the unmarried service mom and her children. Up to 40 per cent of military pregnancies occur among the unmarried. Furthermore, because these unwed soldiers, sailors, and aviators are excused from hard duty and receive preferred acc ss to medical care, education, and housing -- without even having to identify the father(s) of their children -- the military goes beyond simple moral neutrality and actually subsidizes illegitimacy” Of those who are married over 50% will get divorced (and it is a bit higher for those in the military). The remaining exception (mentioned previously) should not be too much of a surprise, as those who remain seem to be homosexual. If that is too blunt remark to handle than consider this; homosexuals obviously do not marry and so have no threat from the USFSPA or a no-fault court. And because of, “don’t ask don’t tell don’t purse” are able to discreetly hunt a relationship in comparable safety and w th a good possibility of success. The biggest draw is that they can spend twenty years in uniform, travel the world, serve their country, and be ASSURED that they will receive their retainer pay as there will be no no-fault divorce court ready to take it away! Such an unpublicized ‘good deal’ will continue to attract homosexuals into the career force as the heterosexuals leave the military to seek civilian employment and a more secure financial future (they will at least evade the USFSPA threat and recei e a vested pension with no possible demands of a future recall). It is interesting to notice that there is always plenty of mention (in the news) concerning the quandary the military is having with regard to the homosexual in uniform. So much media flak i fact (see the previous URL click site, or insert “Gays in the military” or “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” into any search engine) that it makes the problem obviously large because we all know that we are only ‘seeing’ the tip of the iceberg thanks to; “don’t as , don’t tell, don’t purse” . What remains untold (and unknown) is beneath the surface and hidden and this subculture will drift along while its ‘members’ enjoy themselves and work toward their careers in relative safety. The major question parents, first termers, ROTC cadets, and counseling authorities need to consider is: Will the heterosexual first termer take orders from a mainly homosexual career force leadership? This alone is a recruiter’s worst nightmare when one realizes that parents may soon be required to turn loose their children because of a re-instituted draft causing them to be lead into battle by the ‘Friendlier Force’. Remembering Vietnam, the Kent State issue, and the burning of draft cards it seems apparent that while the USFSPA contin es to stab veterans in the back, those heterosexuals who would be drafted, will be taking extended vacations to Canada while being financially supported by parents who AGAIN will not support the government’s desires for some unpopular war, draft, or homos xual career force leadership! How does this effect you? It obviously could effect you if you are in uniform (as described above) but it also effects every American, taxpayer, and parent in the long run and perhaps in some ways very personally (if the draft should be re-instated). ta payers will be shelling out more money to allow the Pentagon to provide a juicier ‘carrot on a longer stick’ to bribe and Shanghai individuals to stay in for a career. For example, the resent 4.8% pay raise for the military force and the Thrift Savings P an (for their retirement) is a good thing! It keeps the all-volunteer force up with their civilian counterparts. But, the USFSPA will only TAKE THAT AWAY and give it to the divorcing spouse (to include the TSP). It will not keep the heterosexual male in t e military (for a twenty year career). Those who wish to eventually marry and raise a family will get out and seek civilian employment which will provide them a vested pension for those same twenty years. A flip of a coin for a twenty year investment is ust too scary a financial plan for one who is offering service to this country which could mean death in some far of sand pile or oriental swamp. No one with half a brain would choose such an ‘adventure’ for twenty years knowing that our government has n ability, authority, or desire to guarantee the promised retainer pay (‘pension’). Therefore, the enlistment (or commissioning) quality of the volunteer force MUST decline or swing towards a larger number of homosexuals! It truly is appalling to realiz that the COUNTY divorce court judge has more power to effect FEDERAL monies set aside for the veteran (as our nation’s insurance policy) to maintain (and motivate) the all volunteer forces (providing for National Security), than the FEDS have to protect nd guarantee it! And all based on No-Fault . . . justice? Congress is AMAZING indifferent to the obviousness of their future plight!! It is very important that this USFSPA/No-Fault divorce problem be stopped. Not reform but elimination. Vote, Write your Congressman, Write your newspaper editor, call your Radio and TV stations and by all means talk to your high school guidance authoriti s. No one who wears a uniform for this nation should chance going to their death while being lead astray by a self-centered, lackadaisical, and indifferent congress! Truth To The Troops! One last comment: ‘Do not shoot the messenger’, this is not MY law, this is in fact, rather, YOUR law, as it is your Congress and Your civilian government. I am but the victim who wore the uniform and trusted blindly! However, do also understand that it s a LAW and therefore it is LEGAL for a civilian spouse to divorce her military mate for his pension. No-Fault allows this with no consequences determined. “Irreconcilable differences” is all that need be grunted by the divorcing spouse and, you . . .ve eran, just lost up to 65% of your retainer pay! Your government (DFAS) will actually reward her for 10 years of putting up with your military service and for divorcing you with money from YOUR pension and she will not have to go to any future recall . . but you WILL! God Save America . .Congress is out to screw it up royal. A veteran victim of the USFSPA Gordon Tatro USAF, MSgt 23 years 1968-1991 http://www.seacoast.com/~gordont/

Lindsay Wynn - 09/03/99 00:45:21
My URL:http://www.vva133.com
My Email:computersII@netscape.net
Are you a Veteran?: You betcha!
What branch?: USAF
When?: 1965 - 1969
Writer/playwright: unpublished

Comments:
You know me Joe! Good job on the site. Check us out at vva133.com when you get a chance. Welcome Home

Darlin' - 08/27/99 19:04:48

Comments:
You forgot to tell that Wall was done in Texas and in Monroe, Mich Love it's development Sue

J. Newberry - 08/25/99 12:26:22
My Email:lrrp@tir.com
Are you a Veteran?: Yep
What branch?: Army
When?: 68-72
Writer/playwright: yes

Comments:
Just got back on-line-glad that one of the first things I found is your site. LOOKS GOOD!

D Gibs - 08/20/99 13:41:23
My URL:http://members.aol.com/reeper823/pow/powmia.html
My Email:GySgt@usmc.net
Are you a Veteran?: Vietnam/ 67/68
What branch?: USMC
When?: 1966 to 1981
Writer/playwright: No

Comments:
What you are doing here is very interesting. I wish you only the best, take care and may God bless allways. Gunns..Ret/GySgt/USMC/VN-67/68

Babe - 07/16/99 16:28:26
Are you a Veteran?: of marriage
When?: forever
Writer/playwright: yes

Comments:
Great improvements to your website. Love your 'buttons'.

Coy Adkins - 07/12/99 23:51:42
My Email:cadkins@mindspring.com
Are you a Veteran?: yes
What branch?: Army 1/27th "Wolfhounds"
When?: 6/67-6/68
Writer/playwright: No

Comments:
Good to see you have a site up Joe. I liked "Deserter" Good Work! Looking forward to seeing you again Bro.

Sue Ann Connolly - 07/10/99 15:35:43
My Email:sueconly@aol.com
Are you a Veteran?: nope
Writer/playwright: Yup

Comments:
Awsome website. I love it. I also love you. Usually.