tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39409111998458990322024-02-21T00:16:56.757-07:00TOP Vietnam VeteransBy helping others, we help ourselves.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-11779555796065952022016-11-17T12:16:00.000-07:002016-11-17T12:20:00.259-07:00TOP's Legacy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Dear Friends of TOP,</span></span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When TOP (Tours Of Peace) Vietnam Veterans began our mission in the 1990's, our Vietnam veterans were healthy 50-ish-year-olds, but now, there is a dwindling number of healthy Vietnam era Veterans who are physically able to participate in our intensive working Tour Of Peace experience.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3ldMp95wNz2KOJNBHm3dBdOPwPR4kIocc5019TICPhSnWIuyQDu6JnhRFCwb0T9EqXJvz-rYfjDiVhKtyQ3-AFmw3Bu2DeV2w7Xc06IUtjgXLNVk_iLSiQPQlFYjWfr7BuylEr6eeGfw/s1600/Hue+Street+Children+School+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH3ldMp95wNz2KOJNBHm3dBdOPwPR4kIocc5019TICPhSnWIuyQDu6JnhRFCwb0T9EqXJvz-rYfjDiVhKtyQ3-AFmw3Bu2DeV2w7Xc06IUtjgXLNVk_iLSiQPQlFYjWfr7BuylEr6eeGfw/s320/Hue+Street+Children+School+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Also, there is a diminishing fund base for the humanitarian work we do, coupled with red tape and administrative costs of continuing to operate.<br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Consequently, primarily for these reasons, TOP has recently made the difficult decision to dissolve our 501 C (3) legal entity and cease to be a registered charity.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5U2FM6cfZAeJP4CbYj3ftOQSkbW7_dOpJFsqv-vU-IG8XBGyamcpgnS67QAdNwSmtK_v-UqOQiFJLcvM0rFkYxbZfvygCG-q5qVtrUuliDfJA67ozdn_KP3Hx1wTgXkD3wcgaFbIUnqg4/s1600/TOP_Oct-Date+%2528DD%2529-2015_230029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5U2FM6cfZAeJP4CbYj3ftOQSkbW7_dOpJFsqv-vU-IG8XBGyamcpgnS67QAdNwSmtK_v-UqOQiFJLcvM0rFkYxbZfvygCG-q5qVtrUuliDfJA67ozdn_KP3Hx1wTgXkD3wcgaFbIUnqg4/s200/TOP_Oct-Date+%2528DD%2529-2015_230029.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our most recent Tour Of Peace was the last full-blown TOP group to travel in Vietnam under the auspices of the traditional TOP itinerary. </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQZnk9m0WrIJTeDgyIv-xBeBnHCJHt0tmw7_si9AJl4Y7PNkYmmSB9zSdYG4vKAgpxHpLWt7OjXrFlJYj2RSVKkciLDBo1Vp9RinQz0_HCHfGVCLBEeOG0ABwVo023eMjIOpYi1ZAoy_l/s1600/winder1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaQZnk9m0WrIJTeDgyIv-xBeBnHCJHt0tmw7_si9AJl4Y7PNkYmmSB9zSdYG4vKAgpxHpLWt7OjXrFlJYj2RSVKkciLDBo1Vp9RinQz0_HCHfGVCLBEeOG0ABwVo023eMjIOpYi1ZAoy_l/s320/winder1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We are grateful for the help from Senator John McCain’s staff who brought TOP and the University of Arizona VETS program together in order to continue our Personal Effects Program. In keeping up with the legacy of TOP, The University of Arizona VETS program has pledged to continue the mission to return these personal effects to the veteran or surviving family members! VETS is an organization run by veterans, spouses, dependents, and current service members who through their shared experiences endeavor to maintain TOP's legacy and better serve our communities. TOP is extremely appreciative of VETS taking charge of our Personal Effects Program. Perhaps some day they will return personal effects from more recent conflicts. We encourage you to visit VETS and the Personal Effects Program at (and dog tag list): <a href="http://vets.arizona.edu/top">http://vets.arizona.edu/top</a><br /><br />VETS will soon take over the TOP web site domain, blog. and Facebook page–which will focus on personal effects run by VETS. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">P</span>lease continue to monitor our web site, blog and Facebook page for announcements and news (knowing that these sources will all eventually transition to the University of Arizona VETS program). For more information, contact: VETSofc@email.arizona.edu <br /><br />Importantly, TOP acknowledges all those who have enabled us to accomplish many years of doing our good works with their service, volunteerism and monetary gifts:</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIN1vuapLVtUlyC23JrmT4WQQ9GbvXhgvUJP4GLQYKobf1IMpVKNGENQwbogyGJucf7n1lzr8QR2s_UtYxZIUR9bmEV1betO8D1CYI47zTkrnHKvE7H-SHfcPID6pp7a7qSzfyZMoQouY/s1600/Da+Nang+Marine+Corps+Airbase+--+Sherri%252C+Jim+%2526+Carolyn+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIN1vuapLVtUlyC23JrmT4WQQ9GbvXhgvUJP4GLQYKobf1IMpVKNGENQwbogyGJucf7n1lzr8QR2s_UtYxZIUR9bmEV1betO8D1CYI47zTkrnHKvE7H-SHfcPID6pp7a7qSzfyZMoQouY/s200/Da+Nang+Marine+Corps+Airbase+--+Sherri%252C+Jim+%2526+Carolyn+3.jpg" width="133" /></a></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Helping Vietnam veterans<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">,</span> their families (and surviving families), conducting humanitarian work, returning Personal Effects and educating the public on Viet Nam and the conflict.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FRQ9_O59-M3qCmZIweUg8OQ9I21vBfm5Mho8SxXcexMCGlEQug7Fo-6t0VNOkgudGLVIZ2h5vzcyzcAy8pzL-1jGpnSu-O8_vEOnqW1STn_9z0qd65VkJeCJ24T7Qf1pppuwCnzxPdWn/s1600/Duc+Son+Orphanage+Memorial+Day+Trip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FRQ9_O59-M3qCmZIweUg8OQ9I21vBfm5Mho8SxXcexMCGlEQug7Fo-6t0VNOkgudGLVIZ2h5vzcyzcAy8pzL-1jGpnSu-O8_vEOnqW1STn_9z0qd65VkJeCJ24T7Qf1pppuwCnzxPdWn/s200/Duc+Son+Orphanage+Memorial+Day+Trip.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span id="goog_7930565"></span><span id="goog_7930566"></span>We are also thankful for Vietnamese citizens who have helped coordinate and prepare for the good works we have done; as well as those who have helped TOP recover personal effects. We have deep gratitude for all who have made these nearly two decades of good works possible–you all made a difference.<br /><br />There are many of our supporters who wish for the TOP legacy to continue and are working together in order to keep some of our humanitarian projects going for years to come--such as elder homes and scholarships--as part of TOP's legacy. <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We appreciate</span> those who <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are ... and </span>want to become ... involved in preserving TOP’s legacy.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNnN1aNjyF_OEL-tkkh5xg3Vcwxd7UZH7s46T0wWx2aQ3SXIHB20nLfohT73vmBEfElSOsjCWQgQsSdnIKt2l5-put0u3lv4DyETU_kFQ8NiO0p84ZYK35YzCXDNob7gWuLVZnTLEr7Ud/s1600/TOP_Oct-Date+%2528DD%2529-2015_160086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTNnN1aNjyF_OEL-tkkh5xg3Vcwxd7UZH7s46T0wWx2aQ3SXIHB20nLfohT73vmBEfElSOsjCWQgQsSdnIKt2l5-put0u3lv4DyETU_kFQ8NiO0p84ZYK35YzCXDNob7gWuLVZnTLEr7Ud/s320/TOP_Oct-Date+%2528DD%2529-2015_160086.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Please join us keeping TOP alive in our hearts and minds by living the TOP motto, “By helping others, we help ourselves.”<br /><br />Stay tuned to our Web Site, blog and Facebook page for more details.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thank you again for your support . . . and please never forget us when we are gone.<br /><br />With gratitude for all you have done for so many years,<br /><br />Jess DeVaney</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">President</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">TOP (Tours Of Peace) Vietnam Veterans</span></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-10996658625833320412016-11-11T16:14:00.002-07:002016-11-11T16:22:30.915-07:00Veterans Day -- A Day For the Living<h3>
Thank veterans now--before it is too late ...</h3>
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In Memorium</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gary Huett, February 10, 1943 - February 1, 2016</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year, TOP lost another member of our close family--Gary Huett. As some of you have read, TOP (Tours Of Peace) Vietnam Veterans is winding down our operations for reasons related to our aging Vietnam Veteran population and their health. Sadly, we have lost veterans who have been active in the TOP organization--due to health, age and other issues. Primarily for safety reasons, TOP will end our rigorous operations and programs soon. However, bringing TOP to a close underscores the importance, on this Veterans Day, of the need to recognize those who have served, now and not wait to demonstrate your appreciation later. Please visit Gary's obituary at <a href="http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/Coloradoan/obituary.aspx?pid=177583284">http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/Coloradoan/obituary.aspx?pid=177583284</a></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also, Gary was close friends to Donald Lonsway, who traveled with Gary on the same Tour Of Peace, and preceded Gary in death. We know that Donald's passing was a tremendous loss for Gary ... for all of us at TOP.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donald Lonsway, January 1, 1942 - October 23, 2011</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">TOP's message to all of you is that now is the time to share with your veterans your appreciation of their service--time is running out as our veterans age. TOP (Tours Of Peace) Vietnam Veterans has been serving our mission for nearly two decades, which is coming to a close largely for this very reason. Please forget about the Veterans Day sales, back-porch bar-b-ques and stop to recognize what Veterans Day is all about ... before it is too late and your veteran is gone<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-27206699606285604042016-11-10T11:19:00.000-07:002016-11-10T11:46:22.712-07:00What We Have Fought For<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">dust begins to settle </span></span>after the election and we ready for Veterans Day:</span></span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmDxzx1YkZe6nqOd0oQqDhB4rBYCN3532pRM1AzNVdIKEtvk7Yxthd4N13o1HxIey04CFipCD_Z2gvbgNhwHyDmBc0m6vbR7BFovzX7sDuVmLnDf9Ps1FwvdijEzrKuL0yNITczPlG1tK/s1600/TOP+Hat+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEmDxzx1YkZe6nqOd0oQqDhB4rBYCN3532pRM1AzNVdIKEtvk7Yxthd4N13o1HxIey04CFipCD_Z2gvbgNhwHyDmBc0m6vbR7BFovzX7sDuVmLnDf9Ps1FwvdijEzrKuL0yNITczPlG1tK/s320/TOP+Hat+3.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">We thank all Americans who voted for making the symbolic gesture of acknowledging what veterans and fallen soldiers have fought for since the 1700's. No matter who Americans vote for ... no matter what party they are a member of ... no matter issues voters side with -- no matter genders or races, each vote adds up to a bigger picture: For centuries Americans of all genders, races, religions, political belief systems have fought for our right to vote in this great country. Our votes may be diverse, but cumulatively we vote together as a country. We are able to do this after a great cost of lives and sacrifice of mind & spirit of those who gave us this privilege. On the day after an extremely emotional election, we now all come together--all parties, genders, races and religions--and express gratitude to those present, and throughout history, who have given us this honor, privilege and right to vote ... perhaps after <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">each <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">four year election cycle, Veterans Day underscores why we celebrate it November 11th<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">--so close to our November 8th election</span>.</span></span></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-51418285191681107152016-09-29T13:10:00.001-07:002016-09-29T13:13:21.663-07:00Update on TOP family member, Ut<h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Friends and family until the end</span></h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7M-NAvH9SUrp1YG9qUauQAmIi4MEgZPAMOORsPIgCrNHrM7qcF5OC721sxOF79nER64LVVsQz3XO6uqJcA0JSuvz8-5mCCW6Z-ZCvXtsnycm22kcBBDbN1Ste0DPEVxdyoi4inYg1LroO/s1600/Ut+and+Marsha.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7M-NAvH9SUrp1YG9qUauQAmIi4MEgZPAMOORsPIgCrNHrM7qcF5OC721sxOF79nER64LVVsQz3XO6uqJcA0JSuvz8-5mCCW6Z-ZCvXtsnycm22kcBBDbN1Ste0DPEVxdyoi4inYg1LroO/s320/Ut+and+Marsha.jpg" width="228" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Before TOP was TOP, on the very first trip TOP's Founder took to
Vietnam, he met Ut. At age 10, Ut's home & family were destroyed
from a bombing and she survived, losing both legs. After recovering,
she was accepted at a nursing care facility in 1967 and has remained a
resident there to this day. Despite the tragic circumstances that led to
losing her family and legs, Ut embrace all of us who would come to see
her year-after-year, as friends and family. She was always first to greet us with tears of happiness and when we would depart she shed tears of sadness. She was one of the stars<span class="text_exposed_show">
that came into alignment and influenced TOP's creation and continuance
for so many years. Every TOP Tour Of Peace has included a project at
Ut's Elder Home. She has been a source of inspiration for TOP's Founder
and all of those who have met her for nearly two decades. She is part
of the TOP Family--considered a close family member. Many of us are sad
about her terminal liver cancer. Our hearts hurt. Please visit one of our TOP family
member's update on Ut. We are grateful for Elaine's blog post updating
us on one of TOP's most inspirational family members--one of the reasons
TOP came into existence. Please click below for the latest update on
this amazing TOP family member, Ut:</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span class="text_exposed_show"><a href="http://ebtovietnam.blogspot.com/2016/09/taking-care-of-ut.html">http://ebtovietnam.blogspot.com/2016/09/taking-care-of-ut.html </a></span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-63002250842709014572016-08-11T13:29:00.001-07:002016-08-11T13:35:20.223-07:00Before and After TOP<h3>
<b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">An Orphan's Photo Story</span></span></b></h3>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Soon, TOP will make some important announcements. Please keep visiting
our Facebook site, blog and web site. Until then, our next posts will
reflect on the fantastic work we have done for nearly two decades. For
example, here is an example of TOP helping to provide health and
happiness to all those we have been important to. Below, are "before
and after" photos of an orphan, at an orphanage we have helped. Please appreciate these photos
of the same orphan--one taken in 2005, and the other taken months ago. (<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">A</span>s well, we will end this pi<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">ece with a handful of photos <span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">of this orphan, taken throughout the years</span></span>.)</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdeSUKKYr6GcDBu0XYuw3Ip4MA6IQlZ-koO8lXYxtYJm4Dr6Dz7CMqlZyKOBwz2U0WNlQt_zG7HtjfnlB6CnhzONFPNv_o39Hl3M6w3Alcce98qbyLCbAccRD2LL5yPhpl-Y834QCc8ID/s1600/TOP_Oct-Date+%2528DD%2529-2015_160586.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNdeSUKKYr6GcDBu0XYuw3Ip4MA6IQlZ-koO8lXYxtYJm4Dr6Dz7CMqlZyKOBwz2U0WNlQt_zG7HtjfnlB6CnhzONFPNv_o39Hl3M6w3Alcce98qbyLCbAccRD2LL5yPhpl-Y834QCc8ID/s320/TOP_Oct-Date+%2528DD%2529-2015_160586.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qnLsqRL8k_c/V6zXv4FLAMI/AAAAAAAABlg/z9I2-m77KQgsib2QwE1aYDPad3SJ-lcSQCLcB/s1600/An%2BNhon%2BGary%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qnLsqRL8k_c/V6zXv4FLAMI/AAAAAAAABlg/z9I2-m77KQgsib2QwE1aYDPad3SJ-lcSQCLcB/s320/An%2BNhon%2BGary%2B4.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">These
pictures demonstrate that not only has TOP been important to health, but
we have been a part of the happiness (lacking in many of those, before
TOP came along and served them).</span><br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnJidk8SBCOQZBbhau52k_lBmYuoOlkYGWhZvMgXM28SssDqXEyjnHdZ2xIV9emQodRuPMwM3E4msqqE4v3nKUeC40e6-ZE4B0K_fVuIC5hQMCDHj5msC2_IM1YvkAobVSaS80XPdWQDc/s1600/%2528122%2529+Day+6+-+Elderly+and+orphanage+in+Quy+Nhon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinnJidk8SBCOQZBbhau52k_lBmYuoOlkYGWhZvMgXM28SssDqXEyjnHdZ2xIV9emQodRuPMwM3E4msqqE4v3nKUeC40e6-ZE4B0K_fVuIC5hQMCDHj5msC2_IM1YvkAobVSaS80XPdWQDc/s320/%2528122%2529+Day+6+-+Elderly+and+orphanage+in+Quy+Nhon.jpg" width="240" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3hdp1lcaAE_4jgHwUmy3Nwdbk0taH2-AAWRV136StcVWNhyuaAb5qe4duGveVddwovFRZi3WdiJdaDe65D7IY5K1xQ-6gkW3Dzxl3aifuJrg36SusT98gqVvv5-QWsm-1n-3Q1-i9pGc/s1600/Harmonica.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-3hdp1lcaAE_4jgHwUmy3Nwdbk0taH2-AAWRV136StcVWNhyuaAb5qe4duGveVddwovFRZi3WdiJdaDe65D7IY5K1xQ-6gkW3Dzxl3aifuJrg36SusT98gqVvv5-QWsm-1n-3Q1-i9pGc/s320/Harmonica.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveNpBO5HRZYuZSF_k-ZVyZEh0kv7NBpbDLSLaH9T981CB-IXTVuerREaqXgMTeEfL6Jt3IMj2_svxVtA8S9bvBDRevSazApgpjc0IgYbTg2kZ2L_cM8_sVi-KSNENVuygxtIc1dLgJ5m1/s1600/%2528133%2529+Day+6+-+Elderly+and+orphanage+center+in+Quy+Nhon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhveNpBO5HRZYuZSF_k-ZVyZEh0kv7NBpbDLSLaH9T981CB-IXTVuerREaqXgMTeEfL6Jt3IMj2_svxVtA8S9bvBDRevSazApgpjc0IgYbTg2kZ2L_cM8_sVi-KSNENVuygxtIc1dLgJ5m1/s200/%2528133%2529+Day+6+-+Elderly+and+orphanage+center+in+Quy+Nhon.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-12894188151970468312016-05-30T00:30:00.000-07:002016-05-30T09:54:35.283-07:00Memorial Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1Un1DkLeGo14UDRlAQa8HJOoHw-hQnKneHSdS671fD7YabQssTOF7O8gOsMai4DCfkas_2ITd60uee5SPcq0igko8s4spbvkKcLANnYejC09SeZ-3VcgX5N8e5ihHQUrSkGSJ1QN5MQ0/s1600/thewall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI1Un1DkLeGo14UDRlAQa8HJOoHw-hQnKneHSdS671fD7YabQssTOF7O8gOsMai4DCfkas_2ITd60uee5SPcq0igko8s4spbvkKcLANnYejC09SeZ-3VcgX5N8e5ihHQUrSkGSJ1QN5MQ0/s320/thewall.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Memorial Day</span> remembers and honors those who have died in our nation's service;</span><span style="font-family: "arial";"> particularly from battle or war wounds. Those who say, "Happy Memorial Day," do not understand this solemn time. Most Americans confuse <span style="font-weight: bold;">Memorial Day</span> as a time for celebration, fun, bar-b-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">que's</span>, and huge sale events.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Before you bite into that burger, say a prayer of thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice so you can enjoy what you are about to partake. If you shop the sales, remember that these possessions and services are courtesy of our military dead.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMPPjc-q6xjKxn3Xbo6QrMyZ-tSxE4lAv45YNKmO2VLhoujbx9KXgyjJevR-K1cQgM7ALkqvT3hUT4tqZu7Kin_0FFjKkqR5jusF1BjGOX4f1rWKHIjHeXHYVtky7Sr1rT2POCnnsHCc8/s1600/Marshall+Rubbing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="43" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGMPPjc-q6xjKxn3Xbo6QrMyZ-tSxE4lAv45YNKmO2VLhoujbx9KXgyjJevR-K1cQgM7ALkqvT3hUT4tqZu7Kin_0FFjKkqR5jusF1BjGOX4f1rWKHIjHeXHYVtky7Sr1rT2POCnnsHCc8/s320/Marshall+Rubbing.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"> Please think of those who died, veterans who lost their buddies, and families wh</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">o lost their loved ones, before you utter, "Happy Memorial Day!" It is not a day of happiness, b</span><span style="font-family: "arial";">ut of remembrance and honoring.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvPLX6-kdCxJZ2KNUKg6jGUfxJmurjtfAHbUagxmIsKE1ARj11nT71GGjje2uJH2fpaRZBaH6Hns9CyVKnoYLI9O1rm7Cu6FcHmP0BPj9StR_9QijxonLZOJBliGQdZbokOhStvmm8wVH/s1600/Tuy+Hoa+Picture+%25231.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGvPLX6-kdCxJZ2KNUKg6jGUfxJmurjtfAHbUagxmIsKE1ARj11nT71GGjje2uJH2fpaRZBaH6Hns9CyVKnoYLI9O1rm7Cu6FcHmP0BPj9StR_9QijxonLZOJBliGQdZbokOhStvmm8wVH/s320/Tuy+Hoa+Picture+%25231.jpg" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<br />
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Today, we turn our thoughts and activities to reflect all those who died in the line of service. We also keep surviving families close to our hearts; their sacrifice continues on a different battlefield.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuISJj19JUycdzBvgNZBsBAlA_hMulF1-M2RhgCPlrIsdGYx_ONfPGG4rKrM2sJAJCPRAvh0NZrB5M6RmswzniGJ9-Qi_4u3K2iI02hzdRAsILCafd_-NzG1AiHKtbGUx7OIVNCUHGzpZ/s1600/The+Wall+3+-+Newsletter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibuISJj19JUycdzBvgNZBsBAlA_hMulF1-M2RhgCPlrIsdGYx_ONfPGG4rKrM2sJAJCPRAvh0NZrB5M6RmswzniGJ9-Qi_4u3K2iI02hzdRAsILCafd_-NzG1AiHKtbGUx7OIVNCUHGzpZ/s320/The+Wall+3+-+Newsletter.jpg" width="229" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";"> As we go about our day today, please be mindful that this is a day for the dead. Envision in your minds-eye spending the day in a cemetery where the heroes we honor on Memorial Day have been laid to rest.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "arial";"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8ChedK8WuFDtQlfPVj-6e-uikb9R5SeNgmonjxbnJBCMuA9gHMmdPENJE9-0OBpvpr13eICJfm7O2RCQpm3Er5zohF8ylKQyI_2MlrPzzo7I4prX84oBvb_SRe3AyrldmcFWO2gD4Rm0/s1600/Tuy+Hoa+Roses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin8ChedK8WuFDtQlfPVj-6e-uikb9R5SeNgmonjxbnJBCMuA9gHMmdPENJE9-0OBpvpr13eICJfm7O2RCQpm3Er5zohF8ylKQyI_2MlrPzzo7I4prX84oBvb_SRe3AyrldmcFWO2gD4Rm0/s320/Tuy+Hoa+Roses.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-74286902527450709412016-05-27T14:36:00.001-07:002016-05-27T14:36:35.014-07:00Is Your Name, or Someone You Know, On This List?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD7KJCIdBwDOb62tbbmskInxIt0R037OLUcbNXOXE3Ja1Pkp1rP-dDCJt9YvfPrPEVHGDj3zwc4EQ7LE8kx8pfbinQIS7PH4LP86vca6QaneR5djfXhg7kOKGBTh5DrKNgIA9BLCWXM7V/s1600/2016+collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxD7KJCIdBwDOb62tbbmskInxIt0R037OLUcbNXOXE3Ja1Pkp1rP-dDCJt9YvfPrPEVHGDj3zwc4EQ7LE8kx8pfbinQIS7PH4LP86vca6QaneR5djfXhg7kOKGBTh5DrKNgIA9BLCWXM7V/s320/2016+collage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h2>
Memorial Day Personal Effects List Update! </h2>
<span style="font-size: large;">The little photo collage pictured above is a handful of personal effects just
recently returned to veterans and surviving families. Our TOP Personal
Effects List has just been updated with lots of changes! Please check
the list--you, or someone you know, might be on it!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"> Especially as
we near Memorial Day, pay close attention to the names of effects
belonging to soldiers killed-in-action (names on "The Wall"), which have
yet to be r<span class="text_exposed_show">eturned to surviving
families who we have not been able to locate--please help us find these
families. Perhaps sharing this post (and link) with others might be a
gesture to help recognize Memorial Day:</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="text_exposed_show" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags/Tags.pdf" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags/Tags.pdf</a></span></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-3405674684949202182015-11-11T09:44:00.000-07:002015-11-11T11:48:40.508-07:00Veterans Day<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">D</span>ay <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Of</span> <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">G</span>ratitude, <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">H</span>onor and <span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">R</span>espect</span></span><br />
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<b><span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">How to say, "Thank you for your service"</span></span></span></span></b><br />
<span style="color: blue; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"> </span></span></span></b></span>
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<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
On Veterans Day we hear lots of "Thank you's for your service." The Nation took a step in the right direction when "Thank you for your service," began taking hold years ago. However, now ... sometimes ... "Thank you for your service" rings hollow when some veterans hear this. It is time to take "Thank you for your service" to greater depths. Let's don't let "Thank you for your service," become America's next "Let's do lunch." Words are easy to say; actions speak louder words. Therefore, perhaps we need to act differently when trying to express a "Thank you for your service." Veterans Day offers an opportunity to evolve our conveyance to veterans (and service members) of our gratitude, honor and respect they deserve that the simple, "Thank you for your service" often no longer accomplishes.<br />
<br />
Let's look at the spirit of Veterans Day to help us reset our "Thank you for your service": November 11th is always the day honoring armed service veterans. The official legal holiday forever remains on November 11, even when it falls on a Saturday or Sunday--when that happens, organizations that formally observe the
holiday are often closed on the adjacent Friday or Monday; however, those organizations and people effected should be mindful that the holiday date does not change.</div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
<span style="font-size: small;">On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918, the world celebrated peace. That moment commemorated an end to "The Great War" which took the lives of nearly a generation of men (as well as many civilians). The day would begin the recognition of World War I veterans.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-cxDe3-ADhk5HxXYvWoLGlii7Pf3HDckZffV8MoFZXaxWtGPgTjGUFc1KBHRGMl80rh0J_HojlCZEGG5DHIVcNgZjrE8jjpWu0hb9hXwLBc3CSGuzUk8HQ6eANPYaU-97lVIr_z7uv2U/s1600/Steve+Hiep+Duc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd-cxDe3-ADhk5HxXYvWoLGlii7Pf3HDckZffV8MoFZXaxWtGPgTjGUFc1KBHRGMl80rh0J_HojlCZEGG5DHIVcNgZjrE8jjpWu0hb9hXwLBc3CSGuzUk8HQ6eANPYaU-97lVIr_z7uv2U/s320/Steve+Hiep+Duc.jpg" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>TOP Veteran -- Before, 1971</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Over the years November 11th would evolve to paying tribute to veterans from all combat eras. Today, </span><span style="font-size: small;">Veterans Day is set aside to thank and honor all--living and dead--who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Veterans are men and women who served in the military (U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard) in times of war or peace.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Veterans have served our Nation, with intention and readiness to give all if called to do so. Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman, no matter their job, has earned our lasting gratitude. </span><span style="font-size: small;">They have shouldered America’s National Security responsibilities, while the rest us enjoy our freedom and way of life. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Veterans Day is especially sensitive to living veterans who served during conflict and those who retire after a lengthy service.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoy_r1g72D1Ea6q7WHF9RBTAz5wQLFU7VaeJg5iTtaoKXzpR186erDFPUrjnkHcHgZOqyQISe49CT1kl9BpWQVALA6lxVQ8P34EaJVP2WrhE46LhqxWBEIBZXoJFyjTbD1o061Ng5MJ82/s1600/IMG_1446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoy_r1g72D1Ea6q7WHF9RBTAz5wQLFU7VaeJg5iTtaoKXzpR186erDFPUrjnkHcHgZOqyQISe49CT1kl9BpWQVALA6lxVQ8P34EaJVP2WrhE46LhqxWBEIBZXoJFyjTbD1o061Ng5MJ82/s320/IMG_1446.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>TOP Veteran -- After</b></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Veterans Day is observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Veterans Day can be a misunderstood holiday and even commonly misprinted as Veteran's Day or Veterans' Day in calendars and advertisements. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Veterans Day and Memorial Day are often confused. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Memorial Day is set aside to honor those who died in the line of service. The spirit of Veterans Day is meant to express appreciation and recognition of sacrifice.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">They were soldiers years ago; today they are veterans. Our veterans no longer "live to fight another day;” on this Veterans Day we wish them to "live to enjoy another day."</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Veterans Day began as a day of peace; honoring World War I veterans who made that possible. 96 years later, we continue to appreciate veterans who make our freedoms possible. Every November 11th, we renew our pledge to never take our veteran's service for granted. It is important to say this while they are still with us: "Thank you for your service," with feeling ... gratitude ... respect ... honor! Perhaps it is time to act and say it differently--let your heart out and express what your heart feels to the veterans in your life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">On behalf of TOP (Tours Of Peace) Vietnam Veterans, to all veterans: <i>We are honored to have you in our lives; as well, we acknowledge the honor in which you served. We respect your service ... your sacrifices. No matter what you did, please do not minimize your service--we appreciate every branch of service and every job served--during peace and war! Your service has made a difference. We are so grateful for your devoting a part of your life to doing a job that we know you intended on helping to make us safe--sometimes serving your country on the edge of danger, and, often in face-to-face danger. We are filled with appreciation for what you did ... respect for every moment you spent away from your life, family and friends, serving your country ... and are honored that you have been a part of all of our lives whether we have personally known you or not. Our treasured veterans please accept this heartfelt--<u>t</u><b><u>hank you for your service</u>!</b></i></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDNLhUGI1l1bXHQG1hdJ-C7p06orcv8QC2VVcpjHYA7YigwiFSHFjubDGB7VPWN-I6K45KbUioKk4Rx5xqMuzV14ORwviLBoUDBTthE0Zl2b95oAD85karL85C12oHSVUS4AODX9RSGXa/s1600/Steve%252C+still+courageously+serving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDNLhUGI1l1bXHQG1hdJ-C7p06orcv8QC2VVcpjHYA7YigwiFSHFjubDGB7VPWN-I6K45KbUioKk4Rx5xqMuzV14ORwviLBoUDBTthE0Zl2b95oAD85karL85C12oHSVUS4AODX9RSGXa/s320/Steve%252C+still+courageously+serving.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>TOP Veteran -- Still Courageously Serving 44 years Later</b></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><br /></b></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-49201384852305683912015-05-25T15:39:00.002-07:002015-05-25T17:41:58.968-07:00Memorial Day Homecoming<div style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o__7BXyYZB9b5wknVvw5797ikC7KqT-LChVpXCJ9AyIMpV8ImSheUZ4GFPRGaT0gMlUsqiUYFRrXRB-M9fYcIcNSZ8wMWzxMWFTNLTxvhzI67RKj2zR3GrzSyi0ynjzdZQGyhOfXW4jW/s1600/Belles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3o__7BXyYZB9b5wknVvw5797ikC7KqT-LChVpXCJ9AyIMpV8ImSheUZ4GFPRGaT0gMlUsqiUYFRrXRB-M9fYcIcNSZ8wMWzxMWFTNLTxvhzI67RKj2zR3GrzSyi0ynjzdZQGyhOfXW4jW/s320/Belles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">This Memorial Day is especially poignant at TOP (Tours Of Peace) Vietnam Veterans, as we prepare to return the dog tag belonging to John David Belles. TOP recovered this personal effect September 2007--not far from where John was reported to have fallen.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">John David Belles was born in Rockford, Illinois, August 26, 1948. He was one of 16 children, "and could say all of their names in 3 seconds".</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3CGEoARLkvWYpYzEWkOOZUkM9_wqN7qceFtj1uWZU2uJAKEjyOTznhB1TC2SvXLMKlz4dIERdEEq6CkViqDItWnMduOzq17tWMq5mGXdHs7QDe1bF1sXTtuaOxJmqMsIfFJ5csVC63uU/s1600/John+D.+Belles+Boot+Camp+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC3CGEoARLkvWYpYzEWkOOZUkM9_wqN7qceFtj1uWZU2uJAKEjyOTznhB1TC2SvXLMKlz4dIERdEEq6CkViqDItWnMduOzq17tWMq5mGXdHs7QDe1bF1sXTtuaOxJmqMsIfFJ5csVC63uU/s1600/John+D.+Belles+Boot+Camp+Photo.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He enlisted in the Marines on June 26, 1967 and was eventually assigned a military occupation (MOS) of 0351, Anti-tank Assaultman.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">John arrived in Vietnam December 11,1967 and was assigned to Mortars,1st Platoon, Echo Company, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93t_cu2PLss4r8BZ8DSkVMYViihY2jCtL3CBciMtKdi612iiUI-GS9KhHiXeIlAsKyZIRmsMKHZSOZY7CYutZdDAhPMvKDLS7G_ney06xxRJNpCJ2N9Be8znbikSCSS6TqXKFLz8xSLtz/s1600/John+D.+Belles+Vietnam.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93t_cu2PLss4r8BZ8DSkVMYViihY2jCtL3CBciMtKdi612iiUI-GS9KhHiXeIlAsKyZIRmsMKHZSOZY7CYutZdDAhPMvKDLS7G_ney06xxRJNpCJ2N9Be8znbikSCSS6TqXKFLz8xSLtz/s1600/John+D.+Belles+Vietnam.jpg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">John was slightly wounded May 3, 1968 and again May 31, but was not medivaced.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb2EubeNH8KUZa4wTe4Au7T8jYi0_Naedq3axIhEbKdVlFILUHIDbUH691PmJK7Be5NF9bZfGjA1MrKahsIdiLCoO8XZRQnVsNW6mhRy_imjPSjf_iI829vU8W5VxfP5ET7F_n5IDALdg/s1600/John+D.+Belles+Vietnam+Unit+Photo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcb2EubeNH8KUZa4wTe4Au7T8jYi0_Naedq3axIhEbKdVlFILUHIDbUH691PmJK7Be5NF9bZfGjA1MrKahsIdiLCoO8XZRQnVsNW6mhRy_imjPSjf_iI829vU8W5VxfP5ET7F_n5IDALdg/s320/John+D.+Belles+Vietnam+Unit+Photo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="BlackText">JD Belles is pictured, in the first, row, 3rd, from the right, kneeling, with no cover (helmet) on, with his Vietnam unit.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On October 13, 1968, John
was seriously wounded and died as a result of a gunshot wound from rifle fire, when the pointman walked into an NVA ambush, about 8
kilometers west of Lang Cam Village, during an operation.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">John was single. He served his country for 1 year, 3 months and 17 days and had been in Vietnam for 10 months and 2 days.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">He was KIA#33,984.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">John lived 20 years, 1 month and 17 days old.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;">This week, over three decades later, John's personal effect will finally be reunited with the family. Perhaps this gesture is one way we can thank both John and his family for their sacrifice. We continue to keep him close to our hearts and remember him on this day ... and everyday to come.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">May John be the face of this Memorial Day, Memorial Day week ... and throughout the year, for all of us who realize, and are grateful to, those who gave all the line of service. Please, never forget.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img alt="http://image1.findagrave.com/photos/2010/142/52349736_127467545828.jpg" src="http://image1.findagrave.com/photos/2010/142/52349736_127467545828.jpg" height="285" width="400" /> </span></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-7085127910611831482014-07-04T15:55:00.001-07:002014-07-04T15:57:07.579-07:00The Mysterious Intersection of July Fourth and Vietnam<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EVGH8djDdPycQ_LtNOcGtb2Q7ENUfyXJx3AS95_C4Df-kDLN04oyqQNKizEIV3KK6Ufn2JP5e_PrpsN8vd8r9_NHq6mIz0Ycr7buEBLfpD4xhKWO6e1Di37-lMmiswgZMC0I4Jt9J6r3/s1600/MBM_TOP_--Marine+Memorial2013-Jun-23_0762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9EVGH8djDdPycQ_LtNOcGtb2Q7ENUfyXJx3AS95_C4Df-kDLN04oyqQNKizEIV3KK6Ufn2JP5e_PrpsN8vd8r9_NHq6mIz0Ycr7buEBLfpD4xhKWO6e1Di37-lMmiswgZMC0I4Jt9J6r3/s1600/MBM_TOP_--Marine+Memorial2013-Jun-23_0762.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On this day in 1776, the Continental Congress approved Thomas Jefferson's draft of the Declaration of Independence, setting the 13 colonies on the road to freedom as a sovereign nation. This most American of holidays is marked with red, white and blue flags, fireworks, parades and backyard barbecues across the country. Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, declaring independence from England.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">John Adams believed that July 2nd was the correct date on which to celebrate the birth of American independence, and turned down invitations to appear at July 4th events in protest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Most historians have concluded that the Declaration was signed by 56 men of 13 colonies nearly a month after its adoption, on August 2, 1776, and not on July 4 as is commonly believed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In July 1776, the estimated number of people living in the newly independent nation was 2.5 million. The nation's estimated population on this July Fourth is 318.4 million.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In a remarkable coincidence, both John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, the only signers of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as Presidents of the United States, died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration. Although not a signer of the Declaration of Independence, but another Founding Father who became a President, James Monroe, died on July 4, 1831, thus becoming the third President in a row who died on this memorable day. Calvin Coolidge, the 30th President, was born on July 4, 1872, and, so far, is the only President to have been born on Independence Day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Two American presidents were born on that day, Ulysses S. Grant and Calvin Coolidge. George Steinbrenner, Geraldo Rivera and Malia Obama are just a few of the many public figures who celebrate their birthdays on July 4th. It was on this day in 1939 that Lou Gerhig appeared at Yankee Stadium and gave his retirement speech, calling himself “the luckiest man on earth.” And on this day in 2004, the cornerstone was laid for the Freedom Tower in New York City, a building that would rise from the ashes of the World Trade Center.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">July Fourth is the "biggest hot dog holiday of the year," according to TIME magazine, with Americans consuming about 155 million of them on Independence Day along. Conversely, on July 4, 1776, John Adams and wife, Abigail sat down for a celebratory turtle soup, New England poached salmon with egg sauce, green peas and boiled new potatoes in jackets. They followed the meal with Indian pudding or Apple Pandowdy.</span><span style="background-color: #222222; color: #999999; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 16px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Denmark, Norway, Sweden and England celebrate July 4th. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">National parks in Denmark are said to hold the largest 4 July celebrations outside of the US. July 4 marks a day of liberation in both the Phillipines and Rwanda.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ironically, Vietnam has a July 4th connection: On September 2, 1945, Ho Chí Minh read a proclamation to thousands of Vietnamese,announcing the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam and the country's independence from France. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"All men are created equal; they are endowed by their Creator with certain inalienable Rights; among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." T</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">his immortal statement was made in the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America in 1776.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xZ7IO7e5Iloa4KZHTvUQaV8JT1rQqfWDxerHwONB4qX2ekf3abnn_78eHKXSyz_SdkrqKrqs9aCiWOFXppAIoPhFj3368PNo1KOP6ql6ibMzwF3UJ133MX0Glac-3VOijkN4CNwneKmz/s1600/MBM_TOP_--Vietnam+Memorial2013-Jun-23_0756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0xZ7IO7e5Iloa4KZHTvUQaV8JT1rQqfWDxerHwONB4qX2ekf3abnn_78eHKXSyz_SdkrqKrqs9aCiWOFXppAIoPhFj3368PNo1KOP6ql6ibMzwF3UJ133MX0Glac-3VOijkN4CNwneKmz/s1600/MBM_TOP_--Vietnam+Memorial2013-Jun-23_0756.jpg" height="320" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-50512480591211606382014-05-27T15:10:00.000-07:002014-05-27T15:10:09.988-07:00The Forgotten Homecoming<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQeJVa5sJ_BppDHt50b-CftLL3iIWSYUsVXLKv18qcn85R9lA2TqrnZE4t2eDtLVSdBwJIjKur54rA5HWsDYBHpYazgCv4Yp8ZJLPT1qhHgBKan3MQAn1ypchDS2SCrAjYnun4pOKqAIJ/s1600/MBM_TOP_--Womens+Memorial2013-Jun-23_0758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZQeJVa5sJ_BppDHt50b-CftLL3iIWSYUsVXLKv18qcn85R9lA2TqrnZE4t2eDtLVSdBwJIjKur54rA5HWsDYBHpYazgCv4Yp8ZJLPT1qhHgBKan3MQAn1ypchDS2SCrAjYnun4pOKqAIJ/s1600/MBM_TOP_--Womens+Memorial2013-Jun-23_0758.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></div>
<pre wrap=""><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">More than 40 years have passed and the words have never been uttered
No songs, no banners, no gratitude just people who closed their shutters
No parades, no ticker-tape, no standing ovation
Only silence, and whispers of a protesting Nation
Although there were many who might care to stand,
To reach out with gratitude and shake my hand
There were many more who took FREEDOM for granted
No concern where my mission and feet had been planted
Many had been called upon by our great Nation
To bring hope and democracy for a new generation
I served diligently with honor, humbly fighting to stay alive
The taste of FREEDOM was always my main drive
Now 45 years later as I memorialize in my mind
The battles for FREEDOM and the friends left behind.
Some ungrateful, taking FREEDOM for granted - that's ignorance
They have no concept of the cost of battle for independence
Today as I reflect on the years that have passed
I still see how Patriotism is standing steadfast
As I celebrate and appreciate another year of life
Loving my friends, my children, my wife
I embrace a generation of those that I served
And a new generation that seem un-assured
I hope that democracy, truth and decency are still alive
And the FREEDOMS many have died for will continue to thrive
God Bless America and the men and women who have sacrificed
In the name of FREEDOM!
And may I not forget the reason that I wrote this poem –
WELCOME HOME WARRIOR,
WELCOME HOME!
FOR ALL THOSE WHO WERE NEVER WELCOMED HOME
(or never made it home) THANK YOU ~ YOU ARE NEVER FORGOTTEN
My family is GRATEFUL –
Written by Sandra Eichler-Gonzalez</span></pre>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10JD8ucUa8uqbQsoTyCsrKKfi8e3-Awi7ehCmA95GHgsZ8G_T4k86TjJRZuY5IpQdApnhhdCkwsHTTBihraIIP2Rm6pYIqqR1FglPI4oBsbVTmq_YHQYsqbr37kl3uJz4TignsYNG2zIM/s1600/NAVAJO+CODE+TALKER+JOE+MORRIS+SR+%232.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10JD8ucUa8uqbQsoTyCsrKKfi8e3-Awi7ehCmA95GHgsZ8G_T4k86TjJRZuY5IpQdApnhhdCkwsHTTBihraIIP2Rm6pYIqqR1FglPI4oBsbVTmq_YHQYsqbr37kl3uJz4TignsYNG2zIM/s1600/NAVAJO+CODE+TALKER+JOE+MORRIS+SR+%232.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sandra & Daughter With Navajo Code Talker, Joe Morris Sr.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-5012749576087381162014-03-29T14:34:00.000-07:002016-03-29T12:23:08.642-07:00Vietnam Veterans Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mNTXLPF_ole5azouHoAxnRwc1okKt6-d4gSBLuBdYw2VnCCbR9Tv27qo_YRrfo5o_hpv6jhlbYSUy4JE56pJzlhT_qiEkdxYPlIL0_rfNLD854WAnDm7oH1MER-Bi1W49ROJdWQzFGpN/s1600/TOP+DAY+2+NOV+7--HANOI--HANOI+WAR+MUSEUM--US+Navy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4mNTXLPF_ole5azouHoAxnRwc1okKt6-d4gSBLuBdYw2VnCCbR9Tv27qo_YRrfo5o_hpv6jhlbYSUy4JE56pJzlhT_qiEkdxYPlIL0_rfNLD854WAnDm7oH1MER-Bi1W49ROJdWQzFGpN/s1600/TOP+DAY+2+NOV+7--HANOI--HANOI+WAR+MUSEUM--US+Navy.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On January 12, 1962, United States pilots lifted more than 1,000
South Vietnamese service members over jungle and underbrush to capture a
National Liberation Front stronghold near Saigon. Operation Chopper
marked America's first combat mission against the Viet Cong, and the
beginning of one of our longest and most challenging wars. Through more
than a decade of conflict that tested the fabric of our Nation, the
service of our men and women in uniform stood true. Over fifty years after
that fateful mission, we honor the more than 3 million Americans who
served, we pay tribute to those we have laid to rest, and we reaffirm
our dedication to showing a generation of veterans the respect and
support of a grateful Nation.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Vietnam War is a story of service members of different
backgrounds, colors, and creeds who came together to complete a daunting
mission. It is a story of Americans from every corner of our Nation
who left the warmth of family to serve the country they loved. It is a
story of patriots who braved the line of fire, who cast themselves into
harm's way to save a friend, who fought hour after hour, day after day
to preserve the liberties we hold dear. From Ia Drang to Hue, they won
every major battle of the war and upheld the highest traditions of our
Armed Forces.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLyskd57ougzwaSp8gCdQ3Ws9Xb0TwJ6YR8bAgyq_ewh76AY_3TMAtYk_I0NwpfOMQ6ANUIMmJHbF2DJqTIYtOwyMye0Sv8I4gN-tExGvRy_EHXEO_GNB1HG0S2qxQTz0s8E3mM2zIpiT/s1600/Chances+Dad-Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKLyskd57ougzwaSp8gCdQ3Ws9Xb0TwJ6YR8bAgyq_ewh76AY_3TMAtYk_I0NwpfOMQ6ANUIMmJHbF2DJqTIYtOwyMye0Sv8I4gN-tExGvRy_EHXEO_GNB1HG0S2qxQTz0s8E3mM2zIpiT/s1600/Chances+Dad-Wall.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Eleven years of combat left their imprint on a generation. Thousands
returned home bearing shrapnel and scars; still more were burdened by
the invisible wounds of post-traumatic stress, of Agent Orange, of
memories that would never fade. More than 58,000 laid down their lives
in service to our Nation. Now and forever, their names are etched into
two faces of black granite, a lasting memorial to those who bore
conflict's greatest cost.</span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYS0GEmZCbJw1UrSzcBaw03R3k91Hl1_N3D3FQ2gyzRROgB3Kn_LzFHMdYfdv0FRQXdvVo-sFl7AKLsIWpL1ecd3pmpVXnaUvUNWf7okj9CzyaJtepM_FVCoQIcLj-JKbQ5yYHbRlxq9E/s1600/TOP+DAY+7+NOV+12--OLD+QUANG+TRI+AIRBASE--OLD+AIRBASE+TODAY--OLD+HANGER--INSIDE+BULLET-RIDDEN+HANGER+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYYS0GEmZCbJw1UrSzcBaw03R3k91Hl1_N3D3FQ2gyzRROgB3Kn_LzFHMdYfdv0FRQXdvVo-sFl7AKLsIWpL1ecd3pmpVXnaUvUNWf7okj9CzyaJtepM_FVCoQIcLj-JKbQ5yYHbRlxq9E/s1600/TOP+DAY+7+NOV+12--OLD+QUANG+TRI+AIRBASE--OLD+AIRBASE+TODAY--OLD+HANGER--INSIDE+BULLET-RIDDEN+HANGER+2.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our veterans answered our country's call and served with honor, and
on March 29, 1973, the last of our troops left Vietnam. Yet, in one of
the war's most profound tragedies, many of these men and women came home
to be shunned or neglected -- to face treatment unbefitting their
courage and a welcome unworthy of their example. We must never let this
happen again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Today, we reaffirm one of our most fundamental
obligations: to show all who have worn the uniform of the United States
the respect and dignity they deserve, and to honor their sacrifice by
serving them as well as they served us. Half a century after those
helicopters swept off the ground and into the annals of history, we pay
tribute to the fallen, the missing, the wounded, the millions who
served, and the millions more who awaited their return. Our Nation
stands stronger for their service, and on Vietnam Veterans Day, we honor
their proud legacy with our deepest gratitude.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QTXOQ0jG2J3vb0ODMmBsxihH4_6QmgPRKxNX61J2ikXA1WxFinjJwmsdyXSmSutfi3Z_SETrlxzpFH_T5ENu1MX8CGmrtWSOgQrbv7O3qEmLg3dmZwd5E5Xl7FbOQl4nqOMAdv2SfFD9/s1600/MBM_TOP_--Womens+Memorial2013-Jun-23_0760.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5QTXOQ0jG2J3vb0ODMmBsxihH4_6QmgPRKxNX61J2ikXA1WxFinjJwmsdyXSmSutfi3Z_SETrlxzpFH_T5ENu1MX8CGmrtWSOgQrbv7O3qEmLg3dmZwd5E5Xl7FbOQl4nqOMAdv2SfFD9/s1600/MBM_TOP_--Womens+Memorial2013-Jun-23_0760.jpg" width="205" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdWHb5PL8_TysqY7tweoQBg7LHTznQ1zNwWyroGykykkhERZxAPXjMygxwOMmgLiez6gK3IQJPmM4TyOfvxxsuRPnaPp0bF61nvkdWroV65Mt0c8FUN9cxBVluuK3nAJXMj-szTUVwAK_/s1600/MBM_TOP_--Vietnam+Memorial2013-Jun-23_0755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLdWHb5PL8_TysqY7tweoQBg7LHTznQ1zNwWyroGykykkhERZxAPXjMygxwOMmgLiez6gK3IQJPmM4TyOfvxxsuRPnaPp0bF61nvkdWroV65Mt0c8FUN9cxBVluuK3nAJXMj-szTUVwAK_/s1600/MBM_TOP_--Vietnam+Memorial2013-Jun-23_0755.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">March 29th, the anniversary of the Vietnam War, has been proclaimed as Vietnam Veterans Day, with a call to all Americans to observe this day
with programs, ceremonies, and activities which are mindful of the service and sacrifices of those who served in Vietnam. Welcome home!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNLh_erqBeoBrqpJoWLUg5rfZir2dyhRPm9HOP5PM6s3K3PBueC_vNhI_8f0kvcdwLMF4xgP8I0i4e0IjavXW1bIFai4Ww7WxftdMuG_uXFBB3WRAcLAsCFDuQJJ1-m1x1b3ZhijDQ7hA/s1600/TOP+DAY+8+NOV+13--CAMP+EAGLE--VETS+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWNLh_erqBeoBrqpJoWLUg5rfZir2dyhRPm9HOP5PM6s3K3PBueC_vNhI_8f0kvcdwLMF4xgP8I0i4e0IjavXW1bIFai4Ww7WxftdMuG_uXFBB3WRAcLAsCFDuQJJ1-m1x1b3ZhijDQ7hA/s1600/TOP+DAY+8+NOV+13--CAMP+EAGLE--VETS+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-15470425182117895622013-05-27T14:56:00.000-07:002013-05-27T17:47:29.489-07:00The Face of Memorial Day<h2>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Today we celebrate our freedoms and realize the great cost.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is a day of mourning and
gratitude.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The faces of Memorial Day should
not belong to actors, actresses and personalities who are spending their
holiday happily grilling steaks or offering mega-deals for cars and furniture,
under the guise of “Happy Memorial Day!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Somehow
we have lost our way, with this sacred holiday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Memorial Day is a day for those who died in service of our country.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Here is a face to help </span>us re-focus on what this day is really about:</span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wpWoG2jf3iY/UaPJfXFWNrI/AAAAAAAABNY/ydvKZ99phrY/s1600/Paul+Vietnam+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wpWoG2jf3iY/UaPJfXFWNrI/AAAAAAAABNY/ydvKZ99phrY/s320/Paul+Vietnam+003.jpg" width="242" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="color: #222222;">Meet Paul Phillip Sonstein
who was born March 26, 1946 in Pleasant
Hill, CA.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paul’s Army Vietnam tour began October 10, 1967
as an infantryman in Charley Company, 2<sup>nd</sup> Battalion, 3<sup>rd</sup>
Infantry Division, the 199<sup>th</sup> Light Infantry Brigade (aka
“Redcatchers”).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A little over four
months into his tour, on February 21, 1968, he died from two head
wounds, in Gia Dinh Province,
South Vietnam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He was 21.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On this Memorial Day, we also remember the
741 souls from the 199<sup>th</sup> who died in Vietnam.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We learned of Paul’s story through one of his
best friends, and TOP participant—good friend to Paul and Vietnam veteran Wallace
Woolfendon (pictured below with TOP in a leprosy village, not far from where he served).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wally shares about Paul, “He and I went through basic
together right from the beginning when we ‘stepped forward’ at the Oakland
Induction Center and a sergeant started yelling at us since we were no longer
citizens. We were separated after graduation; Paul went
airborne on the promise of ‘no one jumps in Viet Nam’, washed out of jump
school because he broke his leg on a hard landing, and found
himself in the 199th. </span><span style="color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During
the Tet Offensive his outfit was operating around where my unit was
camped near Long Binh and Bien Hoa and a battalion of the 199th was then sent
to Saigon. He was obviously with them.
We corresponded; then the mail stopped. When I returned home, I
dropped by my parents' place where I had my mail sent, picked up the mail and
went through it. The last letter I had sent to Paul was returned, stamped
‘Deceased’. I knew in my gut what happened. I pocketed the letter
and told no one about it.”</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Wally has been in touch with Paul’s family.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(The meaning of Memorial Day is understood by
all who lost their loved ones).</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A member
of Paul’s family told Wally that, "For nearly 30 years we never really
knew how Paul was killed.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Paul was
reported as MIA Feb 21, 1968 but in reality was recovered that same day and
delivered to a local Viet
Nam morgue for processing and ID-ing.
The ID wasn't confirmed until March 9, 2008 and it was some time after
that time that the Army notified the family that he was KIA. He had two
entry wounds to the back of his lower skull area that killed him during some
sort of fire fight. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My father was so
distraught over the loss.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">“Paul's last letter home was Feb 11, 1968 which he said he
hadn't had any rest for two weeks (Tet) and was mentally and physically
exhausted but he said not to worry about him. All his letters home were
positive and he showed no sign of fear whatsoever. He said that he
respected the enemy but that they weren't very good with small arms so again
said ‘don't worry about me’. I know that the search and destroy missions
he was on were long and hard with little time to rest with only jungle
accommodations in the rough."</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9goUQCsc0fq69PPPV1y5CIlQifuNmiQfnxOCoLgQ6z3ZiKb5jclpo3BuWfIuEPC7MF9t9G44brY0AXBA1w7tSYT_23xop8c2LjLEC6inXGUgMkqCGzKbBQZF5Lb8infVYje0L9yABxpVF/s1600/Paul+Wall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="75" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9goUQCsc0fq69PPPV1y5CIlQifuNmiQfnxOCoLgQ6z3ZiKb5jclpo3BuWfIuEPC7MF9t9G44brY0AXBA1w7tSYT_23xop8c2LjLEC6inXGUgMkqCGzKbBQZF5Lb8infVYje0L9yABxpVF/s320/Paul+Wall.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today as we all go about Memorial Day … or, any day … keep
Paul’s image in your hearts—grieve for him; say a prayer of thanks.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please mindful of the pain and grief friends & family feel,
especially on this special day and time of year.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(Although many of those close to Paul did not
fight in a war, they did fight on another battlefield.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we all are pulled in the direction of holiday
traditions unrelated to the meaning of this day, please do not lose sight of
what today is really about.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As we go
about our lives and each Memorial Day, remember Paul (pictured below) … and all the many others who
gave everything for our freedoms which we celebrate today.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPF01wFMyCYY_BbofvKvA_dJnW6yxw1SbBKDUcjoqKAeL2j2a7b_Ku15r0wr1LyTdj5THXWumpfrWXwcN6vhNb-ymd7CCrEFNEQmbyhTbYPOrPwSKO6E1GpPxw0Cn7BY_5oahMvDU9QrG/s1600/Paul+Vietnam+001b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPF01wFMyCYY_BbofvKvA_dJnW6yxw1SbBKDUcjoqKAeL2j2a7b_Ku15r0wr1LyTdj5THXWumpfrWXwcN6vhNb-ymd7CCrEFNEQmbyhTbYPOrPwSKO6E1GpPxw0Cn7BY_5oahMvDU9QrG/s320/Paul+Vietnam+001b.jpg" width="248" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-56072194269053176722013-04-29T17:00:00.000-07:002013-04-29T18:40:01.641-07:00Cold Case Files -- Belles<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Case #1</span></b></h2>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">John D. Belles</span></b></h2>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;">Killed-In-Action</span></b></h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWRJvzbZFeWwG-7ycSNgnwSqFXSkNNsQ819n1I9mvG-xdKwy5kqCfOokdE7YUXX4cTE0ZusGIJhIGB3m1OQDqa87QQmhS9Gb18POpLlTkNE0czMDHle8Yi5QyELVsXFWfLuYqgiN-2_q7/s1600/Belles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="183" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAWRJvzbZFeWwG-7ycSNgnwSqFXSkNNsQ819n1I9mvG-xdKwy5kqCfOokdE7YUXX4cTE0ZusGIJhIGB3m1OQDqa87QQmhS9Gb18POpLlTkNE0czMDHle8Yi5QyELVsXFWfLuYqgiN-2_q7/s320/Belles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Since the 1990's we have been recovering personal effects from Americans, left behind in Vietnam. We have returned many of these treasures to both surviving families and veterans they belonged to. Please visit our list at: <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags.html"><b><span style="color: blue;">http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags.html</span></b></a><br />
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Sadly, there are some "Cold Cases" where we have been unsuccessful in finding either the families or veteran recipients. After exhausting our resources, without result, we have decided to reactivate many of these cases and begin a new phase of appealing to the public to help us find the deserved recipient of each effect. This is the first of many cold cases to come: We hope that you (the public) will know the names we present, the families, veterans, or soldiers who served with the name on the personal effect we publicize. In this age of social networking, perhaps everyone of reads about these cases will kindly share them with friends, families, veterans and become involved in reuniting these precious and meaningful effects to recipients who deserve them.<br />
<br />
Perhaps you can play a role in helping families and veterans put a "period" on their story -- help surviving families find healing and closure from the Vietnam experience by help TOP (Tours Of Peace) Vietnam Veterans return these objects, many worn next to the heart, to those who need something to symbolize closure.<br />
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Our first cases will focus on American soldiers Killed-In-Action personal effects, of whom we have not been able to locate their direct surviving family.<br />
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Case #1 is a dog tag belonging to John David Belles. John was born August 26, 1948, and was from Chicago. John was a Marine Corps Corporal and on October 13, 1968, he was killed-in-action by small arms fire, in the Quang Tri region, not far from the DMZ. His USMC military occupation was 0351:<br />
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<img alt="Assaultman Marine Corps MOS 0351 USMC Military" border="0" class="image-l" height="233" hspace="0" src="http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/militarybest_2260_1431717751" style="text-align: center;" title="Assaultman Marine Corps MOS 0351 USMC Military" vspace="0" width="300" /><br />
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John's dog tag was recovered by TOP in Hue, 2007. Hue is the largest city nearest the Quang Tri province. Corporal Belles served in a hot bed of activity during a very bloody year ... the year of the 1968 Tet offensive, especially violent in the city of Hue.<br />
<br />
Our policy is to return the effect to the nearest
surviving family member. For example, John's father and/or mother, if still living. John's information is available to the public on sites such as
VirtualWall.com; therefore, as you can imagine, anyone could make a
claim to the effect, who is not a family member--consequently, we hope you
understand that it is important we ensure the effect is returned to a
verified family member. One way we do this is match up the information
on the dog tag with information the family provides. For example,
John's tag contains some additional unpublished information: Blood Type,
Religious Preference (as well as gas mask size). Additionally, it
is most often the case that family recipients provide rich details
which assures us that we are indeed sending the effect to a bona fide
close family member.<br />
<br />
We take great care in protecting this treasure and look
forward to reuniting this treasure with family. Otherwise, the tag
could fall into the wrong hands. Thank you, in advance, for your
understanding and any <br />
assistance in finding John Belles' nearest direct
relative who can also verify a match.<br />
<br />
We recovered this dog tag in 2007 and look forward to a
2013 homecoming -- 6 years (actually, decades later) -- we will be
honored to return this treasure to your family. Please help TOP accomplish this mission.<br />
<br />
For a complete list of Personal Effects recovered by TOP (Tours Of Peace) Vietnam Veterans, please visit: <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags.html"><b><span style="color: blue;">http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags.html</span></b></a><br />
<br />
Thank you for your help in reuniting this treasure with the surviving family of this fallen American hero.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0Hue, Thua Thien - Hue province, Vietnam16.463461 107.584702-9.0585735000000014 66.276108 41.9854955 148.893296tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-44031788275624997422011-11-07T17:56:00.000-07:002011-11-11T18:42:27.638-07:00Face of Veterans Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwURXYw7CHZJpcHRj-9f4j_wyMypo-p_aT4rrlNfK6BOe30-nPzGIIG4T4rI36GYIl_sRYTguJ7ks_hANn5sT6ekkG6k-GZXxYnS1hBl78MIHMBzUBh8D-FSnUwx8G9I3zIyTRtkMVmpYt/s1600/Wunder+Beach+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwURXYw7CHZJpcHRj-9f4j_wyMypo-p_aT4rrlNfK6BOe30-nPzGIIG4T4rI36GYIl_sRYTguJ7ks_hANn5sT6ekkG6k-GZXxYnS1hBl78MIHMBzUBh8D-FSnUwx8G9I3zIyTRtkMVmpYt/s320/Wunder+Beach+1.jpg" width="213" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;">November 11th, Veterans Day, is set aside to honor <i>all</i> those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. Veterans Day is an opportunity to acknowledge veteran's contributions to
our national security. This is a day for expression of appreciation and underscores the fact that
all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrifice</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">d and done their duty.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">It is important that we say "Thank you" now; especially as many of our veterans grow older.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">TOP Vietnam Veterans expresses our gratitude to veterans on Veterans Day. Today, we pay special tribute to Donald Lonsway, who examples the veterans we honor on this day. When you think of our veterans, think of special people like Don. Don traveled with us on a Tour Of Peace and is pictured left at Wunder Beach in Viet Nam--a place and site of personal meaning for Don.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don was born, raised and lived his life in southern Maine. He
never had a refrigerator until his junior year in high school, when he
saved money from a high school job and bought one for his mother's
Christmas present.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don taught for one year before receiving his draft
notice, at the age of twenty-five. The average age of American soldiers in Vietnam was
nineteen; his fellow soldiers would call him "Daddy Don."</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhegzTfBQdBHDwAs4xkPS_Yd0rAjyL4_7wM_GJv-MVTZYi9_LldJseoOfRl-F4CNY5vsuVwqM_wc3fahP0ZE0dEfY8WpGFrtFo_3-ioGKpNou8kt_ZmYH0AFna725CtMRxw-4rZBkQesvQ/s1600/DL+Alternative.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhegzTfBQdBHDwAs4xkPS_Yd0rAjyL4_7wM_GJv-MVTZYi9_LldJseoOfRl-F4CNY5vsuVwqM_wc3fahP0ZE0dEfY8WpGFrtFo_3-ioGKpNou8kt_ZmYH0AFna725CtMRxw-4rZBkQesvQ/s320/DL+Alternative.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don at Wunder Beach, Vietnam, 1968</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don's military job was as a combat
journalist. Most of his time was spent with infantry units. He would
be with a unit from 5-14 days, return to the LZ (landing zone) for a day to write
stories and then go out in the field with another company.</span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of Don's favorite Viet Nam memories was playing Santa Clause to Vietnamese children in the village of Phuoch Vinh in 1968. His "sleigh" was a helicopter.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLICEOfkt4Jvx-43LEsTlrXUmNgUBVlQrGsm659CeKd5n8zFyqdU2ZNE3dAa9_TxtjqDZfbP03CEC8eI8XutY0xI6hDwrjQFDmsTFzZJOLqlT2P6SdhWcUVSHE4ypxmIEERSvVTHDd0jy/s1600/Lunch+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDLICEOfkt4Jvx-43LEsTlrXUmNgUBVlQrGsm659CeKd5n8zFyqdU2ZNE3dAa9_TxtjqDZfbP03CEC8eI8XutY0xI6hDwrjQFDmsTFzZJOLqlT2P6SdhWcUVSHE4ypxmIEERSvVTHDd0jy/s320/Lunch+5.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don aka "Santa Claus," among disadvantaged Vietnamese children on a Tour Of Peace</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As if war were not challenging enough, Don became a casualty of the soldier's feared "Dear John" letter. <i>"I went
to Viet Nam engaged to a person I wanted to marry and
live with for the rest of my life. Nearly nine months after I left
home, I received a letter telling me she had fallen in love
with someone else."</i> He never married.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don returned with a Bronze Star but was not welcomed home with a hero's welcome. <i>"I was
waiting at the airport in Chicago for my flight to Boston when some
college kids came up to me and called me names and spit on my uniform."</i></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In addition to returning with a Bronze Star, he also returned home with PTSD.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> <i>"I came home a different
person. I wanted so much to talk about the horror I'd seen and
experienced. I just wanted to have someone listen and be willing to
help me re-adjust to being 'back in the world'. That did not happen."</i></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don resumed his career in education, </span><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Helping
kids gave me a reason for living; I gave up thinking I could ever marry
and raise my own family a long time ago. I love kids and my job
allowed me to work with them and help them as a counselor and in return I
received the feeling of self-worth that I had lost when I returned from
Viet Nam."</span></i><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Upon retirement, after 36 years in education, Don decided to return to Viet Nam with TOP Vietnam Veterans and said, </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"Returning to Vietnam is the last piece to my healing process." </i>Don did just that and returned to Viet Nam with TOP. His trip was powerful and healing.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyMZ_exrqV__5adgqMQ0jOtw6rlOUqPuBjuI1UPz6CgpMt169OkkOlY4GyD2aTtm2CspkzIFrWsn7CHV1qfRB37GH0V4MiXnFZ1nNmA1QnakBnPOsga_reXqRNqiuK_qOmRLPYeAD4yTc/s1600/Wheelchair+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyMZ_exrqV__5adgqMQ0jOtw6rlOUqPuBjuI1UPz6CgpMt169OkkOlY4GyD2aTtm2CspkzIFrWsn7CHV1qfRB37GH0V4MiXnFZ1nNmA1QnakBnPOsga_reXqRNqiuK_qOmRLPYeAD4yTc/s320/Wheelchair+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don next to lady in white at TOP wheelchair project for physically challenged students.</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpy7R810vS7yyleL6SbEsFYKCO9TMzHx4jlqq8Nr9VWe06wLFRwoJ8s9w5_OMgtzDclhEFKnEZYGvByYzicJKwOyNX8x5MEqAw2QSo6aokvch0aTzw33sfsx0PpX7jZtoN1da0P7sypzkN/s1600/An+Nhon+Orphanage+Elderly+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpy7R810vS7yyleL6SbEsFYKCO9TMzHx4jlqq8Nr9VWe06wLFRwoJ8s9w5_OMgtzDclhEFKnEZYGvByYzicJKwOyNX8x5MEqAw2QSo6aokvch0aTzw33sfsx0PpX7jZtoN1da0P7sypzkN/s200/An+Nhon+Orphanage+Elderly+14.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don with physically challenged orphans</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6fQq6QKuu-gxfTSJAefBedyY2_rTy9eP8IsZkE0fuAvYivEw2xcMZNggH8oW6yEDUwzWfYR5hXEqk2HFHwJpY6nTbdlr_LD1qOF5mRDLoyUq5G8LVzMxBDKvozs5cEFdre5fSOn9_Bm9/s1600/Visually+Challenged+School+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc6fQq6QKuu-gxfTSJAefBedyY2_rTy9eP8IsZkE0fuAvYivEw2xcMZNggH8oW6yEDUwzWfYR5hXEqk2HFHwJpY6nTbdlr_LD1qOF5mRDLoyUq5G8LVzMxBDKvozs5cEFdre5fSOn9_Bm9/s320/Visually+Challenged+School+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don and a school for visually impaired students</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On his Tour Of Peace, Don would realize his dream to participate in humanitarian work, especially with schools and children.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTrU_ExyVzFvwCoqTyAcZPoZ_ZvfCCNl8PGFovE5WnbxOjKA4Sn4odcbmlL4xET_dsLu_gzU2XwpOwikqByZipqXHnaQae2MZ7DAIdjc3Z_8ZVS7iOghX_A1r9wla_eRSdfGo2OTAgYex/s1600/Don+Scholarship+Presentation+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaTrU_ExyVzFvwCoqTyAcZPoZ_ZvfCCNl8PGFovE5WnbxOjKA4Sn4odcbmlL4xET_dsLu_gzU2XwpOwikqByZipqXHnaQae2MZ7DAIdjc3Z_8ZVS7iOghX_A1r9wla_eRSdfGo2OTAgYex/s320/Don+Scholarship+Presentation+5.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don speaks on behalf of TOP's Scholarship for disadvantaged children</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But Don would have one more battle to fight--prostate cancer which Don attributed to Agent Orange exposure. <i>"I'll fight it as long as I have the strength to do so."</i> He continued,<i>"I learned to accept death--that I could die at any moment. I appreciated every day of life after Nam."</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last month, October 23, Don lost his battle to prostate cancer. He was a veteran and casualty of the Viet Nam War--but never a victim. He fought the brave fight, <i>"as long as he had the strength"</i> with appreciation of every day of life. Don was a role model for the next generation and a wonderful face for the veterans we celebrate on Veterans Day. We are thankful for Donald Lonsway and are grateful for many veterans who have walked the same path he has. When faced with the prognosis of not being able to return with TOP on our next trip, Don said, <i>"I will be with you in spirit."</i> On Veterans Day ... and every day ... Don is with us in spirit. When you think of veterans, remember Don ... and other veterans like him, who are with us only for a little while longer. Please whisper a word of thanks to him, in spirit. Here, we share a letter sent by Don, for us all to think about on Veterans Day ... and every day ...:</span><br />
<br />
<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"I had gone into 7th grade classes to talk about my trip. As I stood in the hallway, a 7th grade student came up to me and said he had something for me. I was his guidance counselor when he was in 6th grade. He was a very shy young man. He looked at me and said, 'I wrote a poem about you, Mr. Lonsway.' I took the folded piece of paper from him and asked him if it was okay for me to read it. I opened the paper and as I read the poem my eyes filled with tears. I told Josh that it was hard for me to express how much it meant to me. I reached out and gave him a big hug and thanked him once again. It is about my trip through the eyes of a 12-year-old boy. I continue to be moved every time I read it. Peace, Don."</span></i><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mr. Lonsway</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He should go back to Vietnam</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Helpful</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A man</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">To Vietnam</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Going to get rid of fear</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Helping many schools around there</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Helpful</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Helping</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People there too</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here he used to help us</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Always he's going to be here</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peaceful</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeKRlGua1296-Zb1OXg-svThUjEoYlk3PoVbpgtqu4x6_h3HLH5IVa1dcZ3PEg7V88aZSNIh0pObWdHbvrK9-ubNVBehNlLSrIOpn8WbAQvanswX7k6qcPO0lTtl6irwc8SVHG_I-fdPz/s1600/China+Beach+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJeKRlGua1296-Zb1OXg-svThUjEoYlk3PoVbpgtqu4x6_h3HLH5IVa1dcZ3PEg7V88aZSNIh0pObWdHbvrK9-ubNVBehNlLSrIOpn8WbAQvanswX7k6qcPO0lTtl6irwc8SVHG_I-fdPz/s320/China+Beach+1.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Donald Lonsway</span></b></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">January 10, 1942 - October 23, 2011</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1Wunder Beach, Vietnam14.058324 108.2771996.197852000000001 98.169777 21.918796 118.384621tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-68881485399273128732010-11-11T16:23:00.001-07:002010-11-11T16:27:12.507-07:00Day Of Peace<div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, in 1918, the world celebrated peace. That moment commemorated an end to "The Great War" which took the lives of nearly a generation of men (as well as many civilians). The day would begin the recognition of World War I veterans.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWm92TQhVVybOLy5K9aqLbVQW0_MBWJ9ZUYXjlQcWU4t0XW3GbSeLASMbprLxr7Q7hnR5livRpe-k-GySx05ksRhbBCPomM6Kgy6UitN2IM-NPwEZHQfZjVsGKfmuSgIHao3v2admFy22/s1600/Veteran+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvWm92TQhVVybOLy5K9aqLbVQW0_MBWJ9ZUYXjlQcWU4t0XW3GbSeLASMbprLxr7Q7hnR5livRpe-k-GySx05ksRhbBCPomM6Kgy6UitN2IM-NPwEZHQfZjVsGKfmuSgIHao3v2admFy22/s320/Veteran+1.jpg" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Soldier -- Then</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Over the years November 11th would evolve to paying tribute to veterans from all combat eras. Today, </span><span style="font-size: small;">Veterans Day is set aside to thank and honor all--living and dead--who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Veterans are men and women who served in the military (U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard) in times of war or peace.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> Veterans have served our Nation, with intention and readiness to give all if called to do so. Every Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast Guardsman, no matter their job, has earned our lasting gratitude. </span><span style="font-size: small;">They have shouldered America’s National Security responsibilities, while the rest us enjoy our freedom and way of life. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Veterans Day is especially sensitive to living veterans who served during conflict and those who retire after a lengthy service. </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ29XwAkIJU5BuiR-q9BarExa0rTaOGUTAOgEXrwYNNBVI9R9UPdRk7gl_yOmuCHhc_jdf9OAfP0vj_0LptSkLhTgLO78Q_pMgQcoRW75xTbGugsw6KXyP4OcWQrqklSjF6K_FVDRslUix/s1600/Veteran+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ29XwAkIJU5BuiR-q9BarExa0rTaOGUTAOgEXrwYNNBVI9R9UPdRk7gl_yOmuCHhc_jdf9OAfP0vj_0LptSkLhTgLO78Q_pMgQcoRW75xTbGugsw6KXyP4OcWQrqklSjF6K_FVDRslUix/s320/Veteran+2.jpg" width="212" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Veteran -- Now</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-size: small;">Veterans Day is observed on November 11, regardless of what day of the week on which it falls. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Veterans Day can be a misunderstood holiday and even commonly misprinted as Veteran's Day or Veterans' Day in calendars and advertisements. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Veterans Day and Memorial Day are often confused. </span><span style="font-size: small;">Memorial Day is set aside to honor those who died in the line of service. The spirit of Veterans Day is meant to express appreciation and recognition of sacrifice.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"> </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">They were soldiers years ago; today they are veterans. Our veterans no longer "live to fight another day;” on this Veterans Day we wish them to "live to enjoy another day of life." </span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Veterans Day began as a day of peace; honoring World War I veterans who made that possible. 92 years later, we continue to appreciate veterans who make our freedoms possible. Every November 11th, we renew our pledge to never take our veteran's service for granted. It is important to say this while they are still with us: "Thank you for your service." </span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-54130718226669621172010-09-27T13:49:00.001-07:002010-09-27T13:53:23.099-07:00Child Casualty of War<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKsErubptIiSRNOD5eogf0n85AH0SQMszNasTWEhs6SM72QATuNWIPR8RTFnvFqsI21WHZ4ibvqUIuWMitK8mfVE3Q9-4dH_X093hF4815Rhu40A7gwe1THZ4kBIf81bbCQyb7-y8sPUI/s1600/Gary.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJKsErubptIiSRNOD5eogf0n85AH0SQMszNasTWEhs6SM72QATuNWIPR8RTFnvFqsI21WHZ4ibvqUIuWMitK8mfVE3Q9-4dH_X093hF4815Rhu40A7gwe1THZ4kBIf81bbCQyb7-y8sPUI/s400/Gary.jpg" width="385" /></a></div>Meet Gary Miracle, one of the many poignant Tours Of Peace stories. <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/special-events.html">We Remember</a> Gary and invite you to visit names of others, all of whom were once children with dreams; each would lose their life in Vietnam and leave behind personal effects which have been recovered by Tours Of Peace. Gary's name is among TOP's latest list of heroes <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/special-events.html">"We Remember"</a> web page. Memorial Day comes once a year, however, TOP memorializes our fallen youth 365 days a year at:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/special-events.html">http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/special-events.html</a><br />
<br />
We invite you to visit <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/special-events.html">We Remember</a> and think of Gary Miracle--the face of over 58,000 Americans lost in Vietnam.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50Fqm8UxR5EPztKJY2iAZ43j-aT9oqvFBBvThoZQawAxauK3w2vDIjJCmSgXh2fTUmzdtoW2MfySk7yruXveA6LflawpGsMfnZliHyl8dC3BoDUhwtsQcQQ_VbSbfHb0KlFQC7XoyxSvx/s1600/Miracle+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50Fqm8UxR5EPztKJY2iAZ43j-aT9oqvFBBvThoZQawAxauK3w2vDIjJCmSgXh2fTUmzdtoW2MfySk7yruXveA6LflawpGsMfnZliHyl8dC3BoDUhwtsQcQQ_VbSbfHb0KlFQC7XoyxSvx/s320/Miracle+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-49312899315850718292010-08-18T15:47:00.008-07:002010-08-18T16:58:31.822-07:00Never Forgotten--Update From 1999<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgtguK3-0YL9SVwSun1Ygn_iDI5_Lc99bl_Br5WH9f0atz-riWPw27u1jtOYgdR9EHn6t8_GDugqZbVN_VounXk7ScyHWdK1nvMOI118Rs_7dwvjllLC3YtQGDhYg1EXzcacZcloFLszf/s1600/Marshall+Rubbing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgtguK3-0YL9SVwSun1Ygn_iDI5_Lc99bl_Br5WH9f0atz-riWPw27u1jtOYgdR9EHn6t8_GDugqZbVN_VounXk7ScyHWdK1nvMOI118Rs_7dwvjllLC3YtQGDhYg1EXzcacZcloFLszf/s320/Marshall+Rubbing.jpg" border="0" height="43" width="320" /></a></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Flashback to 1999</span>: TOP returned the clothing personal effect belonging to killed-in-action soldier, Marine Captain Willard Dale Marshall's surviving family. The item had been given to TOP by Captain Marshall's former Vietnamese interpreter, Mr. Le Sinh, who was with him at the time of death. The original 1999 story with photograph may be found at: <a href="http://topvietnamveterans.org/p-pe.html">http://topvietnamveterans.org/p-pe.html</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Recent Update:</span> We thank Steve Lovejoy, who relayed about a recent visit with Mr. Le Sinh. Mr. Sinh, provided additional information to his TOP 1999 account surrounding the death of Captain Marshall and their special friendship.<br /><br />Mr. Sinh elaborated to say that a friendship bond formed after Captain Marshall saved Sinh's life: During one conflict, Captain Marshall knocked him down, as shots were fired--one of which creased the top of Sinh's head. Mr. Sinh still bears the scar, which he revealed. According to Le Sinh, Marshall had prevented him from being shot and that event drew him very close to the Marine Captain.</div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">When Captain Marshall was fatally injured, Sinh held his friend in his arms as he died. Another detail, not previously mentioned, was that Mr. Sinh recounted Marshall opened his eyes wide and looked into his eyes and said "Sinh, help me." Mr. Sinh said tearfully that he cried because he could not save his good friend, who had once saved his life.<br /><br />Also, Mr. Sinh asked the military if Captain Marshall’s poncho would be given to him, as a remembrance; they agreed. Le Sinh placed the poncho in a sand bag, kept it for many years and would eventually turn it over to TOP for its ultimately successful return to the Marshall family (along with the sandbag).<br /><br />Mr. Sinh said that every night he dreamed of Marshall opening his eyes wide and looking at him and saying "Sinh, help me." Upon return of the poncho to Marshall's widow & son, it gave him peace and Sinh no longer dreamed of Marshall. As was the case in 1999, 11 years later in 2010, Mr. Sinh still continues to remember his good friend and think of him every day.<br /><br />Poignantly, Mr. Sinh has a photocopy of a rubbing of Marshall's name from the Vietnam War Memorial in Washington DC. He called Marshall his “brother.”<br /><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-16463658678013778262010-07-19T15:21:00.017-07:002010-07-19T18:59:49.472-07:00Are you, or someone you know, on this list?<span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:100%;" >You may know someone on our <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags/Tags.pdf">Personal Effects list.</a> This list contains names of Vietnam soldier's, who for many varied reasons, left behind personal effects which have been recovered and brought back by TOP (Tours Of Peace) Vietnam Veterans.</span><span style="font-size:100%;"><br /></span><div style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU49_ZKtIpm-we34jR5_UrA64pedhK2iVUNSmPNzUuzQDERcmiN7qs-_U0QB-yNf8QO5tIIa4tzpMdHjdZn2MklcMb6hinVaDewe-Xfush6YBHMx2dlK3gqQzpq6NvcxDyg-zaSIemr4oJ/s1600/Name+On+The+Wall--+Ardon+W.+Carter+Dog+Tag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU49_ZKtIpm-we34jR5_UrA64pedhK2iVUNSmPNzUuzQDERcmiN7qs-_U0QB-yNf8QO5tIIa4tzpMdHjdZn2MklcMb6hinVaDewe-Xfush6YBHMx2dlK3gqQzpq6NvcxDyg-zaSIemr4oJ/s320/Name+On+The+Wall--+Ardon+W.+Carter+Dog+Tag.jpg" border="0" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:78%;">Ardon William Carter -- Died In Vietnam, 1966; TOP Returned Effect to Family</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /><span style="font-family:arial;">Most Personal Effects are dog tags, but also include identifiable pay-cards, clothing, ribbons & medals.</span><br /><br /><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHluJTFn0U8f0NTIq5kbASFE1qeSsKN5CUuzJ6XG1QDjkut-8xAr85xAw3ZIz2z9aKJGc00rA5wXq9TyAI_5raHvAZTqCuAkMQVqrLiuUTTr-IqzwgWaOuMzNjcIwDpLTxrE6IefyhweZ/s1600/Ribbons+&+Medals+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFHluJTFn0U8f0NTIq5kbASFE1qeSsKN5CUuzJ6XG1QDjkut-8xAr85xAw3ZIz2z9aKJGc00rA5wXq9TyAI_5raHvAZTqCuAkMQVqrLiuUTTr-IqzwgWaOuMzNjcIwDpLTxrE6IefyhweZ/s200/Ribbons+&+Medals+3.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="153" /></a></td></tr><tr style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" >Unclaimed Navy Commendation & Good Conduct Medals Belonging to Frankie E. Smith, USMC<br /></span><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:arial;">The TOP Personal Effects Program began in 1998. Many of our recovered effects have been returned to both veterans and surviving families, including effects belonging to soldiers whose names are on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. However, there remain effects that have yet to be claimed by veterans and surviving families. We also have "cold cases" where people and families cannot be found--our research and return efforts have come up with a dead end. Sadly, some of our "KIA" (Killed-In-Action) soldiers continue to be stored in our TOP Vault, awaiting someone to help us find the nearest surviving relatives, who will receive these treasures.</span><br /></span><br /></span></div><div style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OOypp15L-SjUgsIlsNbjvQbFZuKV1UaZuXUDShcxbSdh5OoruMQLMobUhHYnUh0Hv6RMXGOVB9DpsplLJTMq8AsPnmjzxq7HYjMxnSe4XxKvLAMUNxWcfpd-R4bZBNdMjRSqIoUpsxAH/s1600/Brad+Varney+Kesterson+Return.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6OOypp15L-SjUgsIlsNbjvQbFZuKV1UaZuXUDShcxbSdh5OoruMQLMobUhHYnUh0Hv6RMXGOVB9DpsplLJTMq8AsPnmjzxq7HYjMxnSe4XxKvLAMUNxWcfpd-R4bZBNdMjRSqIoUpsxAH/s200/Brad+Varney+Kesterson+Return.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="150" /></a></span></td></tr><tr style="font-weight: bold;font-family:arial;"><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;">"Returned to Veteran" listed next to Brad Varney's name on our Personal Effects List</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:100%;">The return of a personal effects acknowledges the service and sacrifice of our soldiers and their families. Each return contributes to healing & closure many still need, related to the Vietnam War.</span></div><div style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><table class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmLDdWSOzIdpTLGmfDshtOaS1Drg6OicXQLTj8Mftdtbg978lf7f__dzO4d06nnm5im6gsoO3z01Qfh01ttTVYMWIHDJOLCAzhH1HlNad4wGQWcprF0fuf3tRVLxFShtc3H3jHbsMcsEv/s1600/H+Softened+Picture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwmLDdWSOzIdpTLGmfDshtOaS1Drg6OicXQLTj8Mftdtbg978lf7f__dzO4d06nnm5im6gsoO3z01Qfh01ttTVYMWIHDJOLCAzhH1HlNad4wGQWcprF0fuf3tRVLxFShtc3H3jHbsMcsEv/s200/H+Softened+Picture.jpg" border="0" height="200" width="153" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">(Information Blurred to Protect Identity)</span> <span style=";font-family:arial;font-size:85%;" ><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veteran proudly framed his recovered dog tag, TOP letter that accompanied it; along with his picture from that era</span></span></span></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;">TOP invites you to help this cause by taking time to go through our list. We understand there are many names on the database; as we have retrieved many personal effects and dog tags since 1998. However, one of these names may be a buddy you served with, friend, neighbor, relative, co-worker or someone you know of in your community. . . or, if you served in Vietnam, perhaps your name is on the list!</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br />Numerous tags have been returned after someone accidentally discovered a familiar name while surfing the Internet on the TOP web site. </span></div><div face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags/Tags.pdf">Please click here to access a list of names, which includes last-first-middle names, branch of service and status of each personal effect or dog tag: </a><br /><br /><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags/Tags.pdf">http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags/Tags.pdf</a></span></div><div face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><div face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:small;">Please also periodically re-check the list, as it changes to reflect personal effects status and recent additions & finds.</span></div><div style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="font-size:small;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-size:small;"><span style="font-family:Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">We thank all those who help TOP (Tours Of Peace) Vietnam Veterans do this worthy detective work. We hope someone you know will benefit from your efforts to scrutinize the list.<br /><br /></span></span><div face="Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKobMOyJfSINCl3rd8ir5vAD9TMkynMwNoww4trMT7SlVeoPrLrxIsiAn1IRkKqkbIT0oYFn-IDaiC-MY28PPuA8peISjO6RJ4_t8lZMv8G_WAkQJEXNlnD0_P5cYgfzuT8b2kV45gf70/s1600/Dog+tag+3.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 171px; height: 116px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAKobMOyJfSINCl3rd8ir5vAD9TMkynMwNoww4trMT7SlVeoPrLrxIsiAn1IRkKqkbIT0oYFn-IDaiC-MY28PPuA8peISjO6RJ4_t8lZMv8G_WAkQJEXNlnD0_P5cYgfzuT8b2kV45gf70/s320/Dog+tag+3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495792359609154674" border="0" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-15943767367184615782010-05-31T16:35:00.000-07:002010-05-31T16:36:14.756-07:00<h2 class="date-header"><span></span></h2> <div class="date-posts"> <div class="post-outer"> <div class="post hentry uncustomized-post-template"> <a name="4486128232051514058"></a> <h3 class="post-title entry-title"> <a href="http://jdthedj.blogspot.com/2008/05/memorial-day.html">Most Misunderstood Day of the Year</a> </h3> <div class="post-header"> </div> <div class="post-body entry-content"> <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMdv7cxxvXAsQccIETjTRoz96I6fdCDYv_eT3agDVFFEcwYvUyglvxialnw6XmyO-0eB3SQrmElmOE03Rg6fo4R4HH8ZawXWjP-07WOUJ0kezbul_SZV8WS-hkEvSK8hYtpcPoAhjBw/s1600-h/Dukie+Memorial+Day.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqMdv7cxxvXAsQccIETjTRoz96I6fdCDYv_eT3agDVFFEcwYvUyglvxialnw6XmyO-0eB3SQrmElmOE03Rg6fo4R4HH8ZawXWjP-07WOUJ0kezbul_SZV8WS-hkEvSK8hYtpcPoAhjBw/s400/Dukie+Memorial+Day.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5204380709592770178" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family: arial;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Memorial Day</span> remembers and honors those who have died in our nation's service;</span><span style="font-family: Arial;"> particularly from battle or war wounds.<br /><br />While those who died are also remembered on Veterans Day, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor <i>all</i> those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. In fact, Veterans Day is largely intended to thank <span style="font-style: italic;">living</span> veterans for their service, to acknowledge that their contributions to our national security are appreciated, and to underscore the fact that all those who served - not only those who died - have sacrifice</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">d and done their duty.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial;">The wearing of poppies in honor of America's war dead is traditionally done on <span style="font-weight: bold;">Memorial Day</span>. </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Those who say, "Happy Memorial Day," do not understand this solemn time. Most Americans confuse <span style="font-weight: bold;">Memorial Day</span> as a time for celebration, fun, bar-b-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">que's</span>, and huge sale events.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Before you bite into that burger, say a prayer of thanks to those who made the ultimate sacrifice so you can enjoy what you are about to partake. If you shop the sales, remember that these possessions and services are courtesy of our military dead.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Please think of those who died, veterans who lost their buddies, and families wh</span><span style="font-family: arial;">o lost their loved ones, before you utter, "Happy Memorial Day!" It is not a day of happiness, b</span><span style="font-family: arial;">ut of remembrance and honoring.</span><span style="font-family: arial;"> Perhaps it is best to say "Blessed Memorial Day!"</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: arial;">Today, we turn our thoughts and activities to reflect all those who died in the line of service. We also keep in our hearts surviving families who, although they did not fight in the wars, fought on a different battlefield. As well, please remember those lost on 9/11; additionally, others who have given their lives protecting us in the line of duty (police, fire and paramedics). As we go about our day today, please be mindful that this is a day for the dead. Envision in your minds-eye spending the day in a cemetery where the heroes we honor on Memorial Day have been laid to rest.</span></div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-91218659922296277562010-04-12T14:05:00.036-07:002010-04-15T14:47:47.641-07:00We Are All Brothers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhgm5D69RKgXUe7jzgaasVyMBxGPc8MQXsqxO4dhQo-85FsRQ6NBTDUr7SsiRBTFWLVAycrsTZOl1k_XqsKoP7iDZdow7oLf-pRdLG7J09UjlxcMvnMfkpwuYwvossT8ElcfKDmQR4_AM/s1600/HHop+1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 226px; height: 294px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZhgm5D69RKgXUe7jzgaasVyMBxGPc8MQXsqxO4dhQo-85FsRQ6NBTDUr7SsiRBTFWLVAycrsTZOl1k_XqsKoP7iDZdow7oLf-pRdLG7J09UjlxcMvnMfkpwuYwvossT8ElcfKDmQR4_AM/s400/HHop+1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459363158072948930" border="0" /></a><br />Many Vietnam veterans would love to revisit Vietnam. As our Vietnam veterans grow older, with health issues more prevalent, dreams of returning to Vietnam begin to slip away from the grasp of some. We also understand that there are veterans and family who have no desire to return to Vietnam, but are curious. Consequently, there are events where <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/p-vet.html">Tours Of Peace</a> (TOP) Vietnam Veterans brings Vietnam to community and veteran events--part of our <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/p-ed.html">Educational Program</a>. At these gatherings, we often are asked to speak to attendees; as well as display pictures, articles and information about <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/">TOP</a>, <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/facts-vietnam-today.html">Vietnam as it is today</a> and issues within the ex-military community. Such was the case, recently at the "Gathering of American Indian Veterans" in northern Arizona--where TOP was honored to deliver the keynote address. Afterward, Native Americans filed by our display table and shared many stories with TOP.<br /><br />The gathering was blessed with beautiful weather in Hopi country; complimented by warm and joyful Hopi hospitality. The ceremony began with Miss Hopi singing a beautiful a-cappella rendition of "The Star Spangle Banner."<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Address "Key Notes":</span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><ul><li>The effects of war and PTSD do not discriminate. "<span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;">We are all brothers.</span>" This quote originally was uttered by ex-Vietnamese military we encountered who fought with and against Americans: Today, old friends & foe seem to share a common DNA. Many Native Americans from the World War II conflict, Korean War, Vietnam, Desert Storm and Iraq Wars, present at the gathering, agreed that no culture, rank or military job is immune from the war experience. This is part of the essence of TOP's <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/p-vet.html">Veterans Program</a>.<br /></li></ul><ul><li>"<span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;">Although we did not fight in Vietnam, we fought on a different battlefield.</span>" -- Wife of Vietnam veteran who traveled on a <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/p-vet.html">Tour Of Peace</a>. Our keynote address recognized the sacrifice family members make; yet receive few accolades and no medals for their "service." TOP recognizes the family through our <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/p-family.html">Family Program</a>. A mother of a son who had just returned from Iraq could be seen softly shedding tears in the audience.<br /></li></ul><ul><li>We shared real-life stories that all-too-many veterans & family relate to: "<span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;">That day, before TOP called about finding my dog tag, I was preparing to kill myself; having lost both legs in Vietnam, I felt hopeless...Now I am going to use my dog tag as a means to open up a dialogue and establish a relationship with my son.</span>" Through our <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/p-pe.html">Personal Effects Program</a>, TOP was instrumental in saving the life of a disabled Vietnam veteran contemplating suicide. (We would later hear from his son who tried to be like his father and served as a Marine in Iraq.)</li></ul><ul><li>TOP Vietnam V<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nD5A5bWAA_fes-uQR6Mm1vp6QuqMXUicpKbQYb6KOze40BoNiwOtp66Bj9_3Nvv6ZOmrWUghkXq6SlpsrnGhAsYbgVZaQwBVrjim8si1qGyclHYMOLIn_v53SOmerX4thopZIE6LZi1m/s1600/Day+4-108+--++Place+Where+Eyes+Meet+and+Hearts+Intersect.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 163px; height: 112px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_nD5A5bWAA_fes-uQR6Mm1vp6QuqMXUicpKbQYb6KOze40BoNiwOtp66Bj9_3Nvv6ZOmrWUghkXq6SlpsrnGhAsYbgVZaQwBVrjim8si1qGyclHYMOLIn_v53SOmerX4thopZIE6LZi1m/s200/Day+4-108+--++Place+Where+Eyes+Meet+and+Hearts+Intersect.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459680170576937458" border="0" /></a>eterans had just returned from trips to ethnic tribal areas of northwest Vietnam and conducting humanitarian work in among tribal regions of the Central Highlands. The <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/p-human.html">Humanitarian Program</a> is a key component on our <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/p-vet.html">Tours Of Peace.</a> In the keynote address, parallels between Native American & Vietnamese tribes were made.</li></ul><ul><li>The address ended by emphasizing the veteran brotherhood that exists between us all. Ultimately, veterans & families share responsibility to look after each other--especially those suffering from trauma--and unified, follow a path for peace, healing & closure. "<span style="color: rgb(0, 51, 51); font-weight: bold;">By helping others, we help ourselves.</span>" --TOP motto.</li></ul>Later, after the speech, an Apache Vietnam veteran confided, "You were talking to me...that is me, you spoke of." He had related deeply to the speech message and we had connected.<br /><br />One by one, warriors from different eras filed by to open up and share with us issues close to their hearts and difficult to talk about:<br /><br />We spoke with a World War II 85-year-old Native American who had landed on the beach at Normandy. Korean Veterans talked about how hard that war was; of course, lots of Vietnam Veterans had much to say. Afghanistan and Iraq veterans were also there and notably more silent than veterans of previous wars. "I didn't have it as bad as Vietnam soldiers," said a former Marine who served in Iraq. (It is a common phenomenon of soldiers to minimize their combat experience this way). However, we reassured the Iraq veteran that his service was of great significance and acknowledged & recognized the Iraq veteran's service; paying tribute to his contribution.<span style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfoZq5lb8-9d5hOAlnLA2II1-3W-K1lnKUuTCUFhr2kVemTtPm5hek7apCl894EvFuKJZ_UOla3f6t5rEkSsi5mlADsSAwG4_pFf-F-Q7yEI4tbYRLVlZmAUtLd6LEiPk2za461PkgnB9/s1600/Hopi+Entertainment.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizfoZq5lb8-9d5hOAlnLA2II1-3W-K1lnKUuTCUFhr2kVemTtPm5hek7apCl894EvFuKJZ_UOla3f6t5rEkSsi5mlADsSAwG4_pFf-F-Q7yEI4tbYRLVlZmAUtLd6LEiPk2za461PkgnB9/s320/Hopi+Entertainment.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459400704241123394" border="0" /></a><br />During the function, as we talked, Native Americans entertained with modern Native American music.<br /><br />One Hopi veteran was conflicted: "We come from a peaceful culture which teaches against harming or taking a life; It is a struggle to serve in war and challenging to reconcile, based on our beliefs." Nonetheless, Native American veterans are very patriotic and loyal to their former branches of service.<br /><br />Later, that afternoon, the "Gathering of American Indian Veterans" came to a close. Display gear was packed and "goodbyes" were said to newly made friends. Driving away from this peaceful place for home, the keynote theme, "We are all brothers" still resonated within ... as some of our brother & sister veterans & family could be seen leaving on foot to unknown locations in nearby hills & mesas nearby in quiet and peaceful retrospect.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DHhYzJtcdyw/S8Oy7ef_giI/AAAAAAAAA08/chwDtEUEJ3A/s1600/Hopi+Land+2.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_DHhYzJtcdyw/S8Oy7ef_giI/AAAAAAAAA08/chwDtEUEJ3A/s400/Hopi+Land+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459403908172448290" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;"><a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/donation-form.html">Please help support the TOP Education Program</a></span><br /></span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-55999192392110625682009-12-11T10:10:00.001-07:002009-12-11T13:28:25.869-07:00If You Find a Vietnam-era Dog TagTOP often receives inquiries from tourists, veterans and foreigners who visit Vietnam and come upon personal effects and dog tags. Many do not know what to do with them; most want to return them to veterans or family and ask for our help.<br /><br />We appreciate these Good Samaritans who rescue these dog tags in Vietnam. TOP's policy and resources do not allow us to act as an intermediary for tag returns outside the TOP organization; we encourage them to donate the tags to TOP so we can integrate them into the process which we have developed over many years and steadfastly work to reunite them with their owners.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPrZGng6d6nExpW1fZnYwwAnc3HpBdaBSW6IzO9F87FIUyiOe1xpXB8AMn9XFlVwNUFHKhSdCoyTfuqmG4P7zJiIRg4QaAcXjD6qhG8yC4O74rRaocljEUI_CCckH4gayDs-hsRIIzj8u/s1600-h/sabater+dog+tag+grouping+2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329431333978823266" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 101px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDPrZGng6d6nExpW1fZnYwwAnc3HpBdaBSW6IzO9F87FIUyiOe1xpXB8AMn9XFlVwNUFHKhSdCoyTfuqmG4P7zJiIRg4QaAcXjD6qhG8yC4O74rRaocljEUI_CCckH4gayDs-hsRIIzj8u/s200/sabater+dog+tag+grouping+2.jpg" border="0" /></a>Additionally, many outside the TOP organization come upon tags of an unknown era--not in Vietnam. The majority of such finds are sometimes discovered in yard sales, spring cleaning, and likely not Vietnam related. In these cases, TOP's Personal Effects mission is solely for Vietnam-era tags. In the event someone may throw a tag or effect away, we invite them to donate such non-Vietnam-era effects to our military collection for public displays. TOP is aware of individuals who sell such effects & memorabilia on eBay; however, it is important to note that TOP will never sell these treasures. Non-Vietnam-era effects not used for TOP's public display, may sometimes be donated to other military (sometimes traveling) museums (not-for-profit).<br /><br />Please visit the <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags.html"><strong>TOP website Personal Effects List</strong></a> and witness over 1,900 personal effects (mostly dog tags) that we are actively working to reunite with living veterans or the surviving families of veterans who were either killed in action or may have survived the war but have subsequently died.<br /><br />Tours Of Peace (TOP) Vietnam Veterans is a nonprofit organization founded in 1998 by a Vietnam veteran Marine. Our mission provides veterans, their families, and surviving family members, with opportunities for healing from the Vietnam War.<br /><br />TOP recognizes the importance of these dog tags to the veterans and families and strives to keep them from becoming just another tourist souvenir trinket. We appreciate the fact that you purchased these tags and wish to have them rightfully returned to their owners.<br /><br />The current TOP dog tag inventory has been acquired in several ways, some of which include:<br /><br /><ul><li>TOP recovers personal effects through contacts who collect them on our behalf. Additionally, purchases of personal effects sold in Vietnam can be made thanks to monetary gifts to TOP; as well, trip members assist with the recovery of effects in Vietnam (when we take veterans and their families to revisit the place where they were stationed and fought).</li><br /><li>Donations from Vietnamese who know what we are trying to do and give them to us at no cost.</li><br /><li>Donations from Americans and tourists from other countries who recognize their importance and want us to include them in our “reunion process”.</li></ul><p>This process includes:<br /><strong></strong></p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9o1-Shq6bAvfWJDlxAGUKsHCX6vOaaDHTnrutYqm8F75gpmC801jbBWtSDVN8h1qyFv40xEtaqtOHPHtP6VBJYbUdNsjJhObX9OyqlAB4sZVEvDadqFH5DcWKUKg2aIeCGqCk0s9khTN/s1600-h/Steve+7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329433979677619826" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 134px; height: 200px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjt9o1-Shq6bAvfWJDlxAGUKsHCX6vOaaDHTnrutYqm8F75gpmC801jbBWtSDVN8h1qyFv40xEtaqtOHPHtP6VBJYbUdNsjJhObX9OyqlAB4sZVEvDadqFH5DcWKUKg2aIeCGqCk0s9khTN/s200/Steve+7.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong>Authentication:</strong> TOP painstakingly authenticates each dog tag as legitimate--not counterfeit. We have both Vietnamese war veterans and American Vietnam Veterans go through them and weed out any fakes. We also verify as much information on the tags as possible, i.e., military ID #'s vs. name with the actual military database information, and information about those listed on "the Wall." Furthermore, we verify the place the tag was bought or donated, with the area the veteran or deceased served. (The pictured dog tag here is in its original condition before a careful cleaning revealed the tag data. Although TOP goes to great lengths not to disturb the initial appearance of how the tag was received, the condition of some tags require us to get to the data, in order to return the tag.)<br /></p><ul><strong></strong><li><strong>Documen</strong><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lfWwWqrBL8AykY38UincqZXLemDFfXLzlzHpUrJ2AquUMMiWFIX36yO8SANhHcrBX_uXXdfn_YeyvC8oER_8wegnq74Q8g7FC4UWL80ABKRWjTd12vbTA4vHX5Wr9m-YrfI9OXUJLqRR/s1600-h/Dog+Tag+Without+Cleaning.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329432784334891586" style="margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px; float: left; width: 200px; height: 118px;" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0lfWwWqrBL8AykY38UincqZXLemDFfXLzlzHpUrJ2AquUMMiWFIX36yO8SANhHcrBX_uXXdfn_YeyvC8oER_8wegnq74Q8g7FC4UWL80ABKRWjTd12vbTA4vHX5Wr9m-YrfI9OXUJLqRR/s200/Dog+Tag+Without+Cleaning.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong>tation:</strong> We maintain an extensive database of each tag and all information we have relevant to its discovery, condition and eventual resolution. Furthermore each dog tag is listed on our website in the hopes that the veteran or their family may actually “find us”. This does happen and the more returned tags we have the more the word is out and the more “hits” our website receives.</li></ul><p></p><ul><li><strong>Research:</strong> Our research is very extensive and includes a number of website databases. We start first at The Wall, with information gathered at the various memorial websites for soldiers who were Killed In Action. Beyond that, we conduct a number of other searches, military reunion sites, military locator search engines and recently have expanded into genealogical resources with good success in locating the families of veterans.<br /></li></ul><p></p><ul><li><strong>Contact:</strong> We are sensitive to the emotional issues that often come up when a veteran or family is notified of the find. Once we feel we have a “match” the individuals are contacted by mail and given the opportunity to overcome the initial shock prior to them contacting us.<br /></li></ul><p></p><ul><li><strong>Verification:</strong> TOP is extremely careful that personal effects are matched correctly with the rightful recipients. Even once they contact us, we have a verification process to assure that our “match” is exact. </li></ul><ul><li><strong>Special Delivery & Presentation:</strong> Our presentation to recipients is done respectfully and solemnly. Each dog tag is enclosed in dark velvet box, accompanied by a letter of appreciation and recognition. (Occasionally a TOP representative will make a personal presentation of the personal effect.) This is all done at no cost or expense to those receiving dog tags or personal effects--thanks to those who contribute to TOP and our Personal Effects Program. We do this as a memorial or recognition of gratitude for the service of the person named on the dog tag.</li></ul><p>Due to privacy laws, unless the recipients give their permission, we do not report back to those who donate personal effects on the specifics on the recipients, however, we do note in our database & documentation where the tag was recovered and by whom in our files, in the event a recipient would ask to contact the donor. Those who contribute effects are encouraged to monitor the web site for updates on the status of their donated tags.<br /><br />Should you have Vietnam-era personal effects, you wish to donate to TOP, we invite you to send them to us addressed as follows: TOP Vietnam Veterans, 8000 S. Kolb Road, Suite 43, Tucson, AZ 85756. It is recommended to send them Priority Mail and in a manner the package can be tracked. Please put tracking on them and let us know in advance that they are coming so we can watch for them and report back to you regarding their safe arrival.<br /><br />To those who rescue these precious items and donate them to TOP, we are deeply grateful. Thank you!</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-1358265156804738392009-11-11T09:51:00.026-07:002009-11-12T09:13:57.371-07:00Challenges Of Being A Veteran<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3-xxmF4Yp6FFUHA5HYGIaynjkklgxKaF6uL0t0as7dwc_uHrxc51ULubfYC3eyoaO7BO4trBJ1ICqBt9BXmKxGeW6cyb20FF-In2orU5nZT1CrFOsecwSG3-P4tnwXCBtcHbD5coZ2uJ/s1600-h/Day+8-8+--++Flower+For+Memorial+Day.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhY3-xxmF4Yp6FFUHA5HYGIaynjkklgxKaF6uL0t0as7dwc_uHrxc51ULubfYC3eyoaO7BO4trBJ1ICqBt9BXmKxGeW6cyb20FF-In2orU5nZT1CrFOsecwSG3-P4tnwXCBtcHbD5coZ2uJ/s320/Day+8-8+--++Flower+For+Memorial+Day.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402965327025102690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Veterans Day</span> -- Today we honor all who have served honorably in the military -- in wartime or peace. TOP offers a bouquet of thanks for your service, appreciates your contributions and underscores that all who serve have sacrificed and done their duty.<br /><br />There should also be a "Family Veterans Day." Families make sacrifices, yet receive little recognition. As one TOP widow once appropriately said, "Although we did not fight in Viet Nam, we fought on a different battlefield."<br /><br />TOP invites you to read Michele McNair's November 6, 2009 blog perspective, <a style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(0, 0, 153);" href="http://www.postcardsfromthepound.com/2009/11/veterans-day-let-us-never-forget.html">"Veteran's Day: Let Us NEVER Forget."</a> Michele's family life has been heavily steeped in the military. As well, Michele participated in one of TOP's Tours Of Peace. Michele's story emphasizes our belief of why family members deserve their recognition too; additionally, she is a great example of TOP Family & Educational Program trip participants.<br /><br />Friends and supporters of veterans--Veterans Day does not exist without you. We veterans are thankful for your friendship and support.<br /><br />It is sometimes difficult to separate Veterans Day from Memorial Day; this is underscored with the recent massacre at Ft. Hood. Being a veteran and living with service-related memories can be challenging. These memories may bubble up and prove difficult for veterans on Veterans Day. Nonetheless, it is important that veterans know how appreciated their service is.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DHhYzJtcdyw/Svs2lrhjA0I/AAAAAAAAAoo/o6wcj06wirk/s1600-h/Day+8-5+--+Vietnamese+Flowers+For+Memorial+Day.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_DHhYzJtcdyw/Svs2lrhjA0I/AAAAAAAAAoo/o6wcj06wirk/s320/Day+8-5+--+Vietnamese+Flowers+For+Memorial+Day.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402972198927532866" border="0" /></a>Many lost friends and buddies to war. There are veterans who share "survivor's guilt"--having lived through their service experience while others did not. Likewise, many war-era veterans who did not serve in a combat theater feel guilty not doing the job their peers had to do. No matter what a veteran's job was and where they did their duty, we are grateful.<br /><br />Survivors guilt can be severe--some veterans wished they had died in war with their comrades, rather than be mired in a life of fear, anger, terror, drugs and alcohol from their war. The fate of PTSD, drug & alcohol abuse, as a result of the trauma of war, can be hell. During the Civil War, General William Sherman said simply and accurately, "War is hell." Unfortunately, many veterans and families live this hell daily . . . indefinitely . . . long after service. They brought the war home with them.<br /><br />Additionally, it is not an uncommon phenomenon for veterans who served in war to diminish their service, saying, "I didn't have it as bad as you guys . . . or, I had it easy compared to most . . ." Sometimes minimizing war involving is a coping mechanism.<br /><br />As life is not challenging enough for many former servicemen: Sadly, veterans are often stereotyped in the news: For example, occasionally in news stories of crime & violence, the past military service of a suspect becomes part of the story, e.g., ". . . a former Marine," or, ". . . a Vietnam veteran . . ." Identifying crime suspects by military service is discriminatory behavior, no different from racial discrimination or profiling. This Veterans Day might be a good starting point to begin a campaign of enlightenment within and those around you, to become aware of discriminatory behaviors which profile military or ex-military as violent, criminal or uneducated.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCHYvL-CIWwe_DvhHrS1nMsYSjt3jVlchp8vClMi6F2AzWy5ksdLPXOfmhe85mlVMG-TBcXOoTbRfmisElhf83JFRyOwYKNOvPZTmz1vbxfwtM414VOYLe460Nd9WaPedCp35YlHIpf3e/s1600-h/Day+8-9+--+Vietnam+Floral+Reminders+of+Memorial+Day.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhCHYvL-CIWwe_DvhHrS1nMsYSjt3jVlchp8vClMi6F2AzWy5ksdLPXOfmhe85mlVMG-TBcXOoTbRfmisElhf83JFRyOwYKNOvPZTmz1vbxfwtM414VOYLe460Nd9WaPedCp35YlHIpf3e/s320/Day+8-9+--+Vietnam+Floral+Reminders+of+Memorial+Day.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402968241306836738" border="0" /></a>Conversely, in this day & age, the public and media have a propensity for elevating public figures who break laws, abuse substances, are involved in violent behaviors and morally corrupt. Some of these stars, musicians, athletes, and reality figures are labeled as "heroes." Unfortunately, their feats and accomplishments have nothing to do with courage and unconditional sacrifice for the good of others. Meanwhile, veterans who fit the old-fashioned definition of "hero"--quietly live difficult lives of humility, lacking recognition for their unconditional sacrifice for the good others.<br /><br />Today, is a good day to redefine the true meaning of "heroes." Begin with the veterans in your life: Fathers, mothers, sons, daughters . . . relatives . . . veteran friends . . . veteran co-workers . . . the neighbor with a military bumper sticker . . . the person in the mall with a military baseball cap. Fellow veterans, remember to thank the veterans in your life too.<br /><br />Thank your veterans for their service and sacrifice. Veterans Day is an opportunity to honor living veterans. Memorial Day is an opportunity to honor those who gave their lives in service. Realize the veteran heroes who your life is blessed with.<br /><br />TOP (Tours Of Peace) Vietnam Veterans is honored to be a non-profit organization for veterans and families. We are proud to be a part of veteran & their family's lives . . . especially on this very special day.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TPe025MrPgwBMbbc9T8SmYm70ZDxJif95d3sBUJ0pKuT9eeuFJIRsLIYgOvTSzULgGjGTtLmXdmlYGaTGyjbXafMPVSG74Jh1yrpZCoNJXvnIG2SQ0SlMvjJNAXuhfi9KQL_iezvIu8-/s1600-h/Day+8-11+--+Floral+Bouquet+Offering+On+Memorial+Day.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4TPe025MrPgwBMbbc9T8SmYm70ZDxJif95d3sBUJ0pKuT9eeuFJIRsLIYgOvTSzULgGjGTtLmXdmlYGaTGyjbXafMPVSG74Jh1yrpZCoNJXvnIG2SQ0SlMvjJNAXuhfi9KQL_iezvIu8-/s320/Day+8-11+--+Floral+Bouquet+Offering+On+Memorial+Day.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402973519009449538" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-60605180437351117392009-08-03T16:30:00.000-07:002009-08-03T16:32:48.512-07:00Updated Personal Effects List<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqolh-sS1YN37d7yL56PFGEyEGxNCyGoAT5J7bi2C1pvavoldBrb7_2euGELHry1Crbkr25R85WHpVo5jNWwRpw0X4Lvj5j-LnC79pfLjrsNiq26JfTaHFOMUhtxySgVkpww5SEabM4_b/s1600-h/Dog+Tag+Without+Cleaning.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfqolh-sS1YN37d7yL56PFGEyEGxNCyGoAT5J7bi2C1pvavoldBrb7_2euGELHry1Crbkr25R85WHpVo5jNWwRpw0X4Lvj5j-LnC79pfLjrsNiq26JfTaHFOMUhtxySgVkpww5SEabM4_b/s320/Dog+Tag+Without+Cleaning.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5248529204838847394" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:130%;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:trebuchet ms;" >Cleaning Dog Tags and Recent Returns</span></span><br /><br />TOP recently returned from our last trip with more personal effects. We have an <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags/Tags-7-17-09.pdf">updated Dog Tag List</a> for your perusal.<br /><br />Many of these artifacts reflect the harsh environment they have been in these past decades.<br /><br />TOP's policy is to endeavor to return the effects as they are found. However, this may not always be possible (see our example in this post).<br /><br />When dog tags are unrecognizable, it is especially important to glean enough data in order to be able to identify the service member and have the information necessary for either surviving family or Vietnam veterans to verify and confirm a match.<br /><br />The first step, when dealing with tags corroded by rust, dirt and other elements, may be to carefully hand clean the tag with gentle tools. If that does still does not yield data, then we use a sonic cleaner, similar to what professional jewelers use. In severe cases, tags are thoroughly sonically cleaned on both sides, as many times as necessary. The cleaning, yet preserving the integrity of the tag can be time consuming and challenging.<br /><br />Many tags are so fragile that they are almost paper-thin and can break in two with the slightest pressure. These tags are identified with instructions on handling.<br /><br />There are some cases where the information and data is unrecognizable, even after the careful & gentle cleaning processes. In these cases, the information on our database may rarely be questionable.<br /><br />The results though of returning the dog tags are unquestionable! As evidenced by the responses of recipients, such as Vietnam veteran, Samuel Barton, who after receiving his lost dog tag wrote TOP, <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">"</span><o:smarttagtype style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="country-region"></o:smarttagtype><o:smarttagtype style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"></o:smarttagtype><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:worddocument> <w:view>Normal</w:View> <w:zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:compatibility> <w:breakwrappedtables/> <w:snaptogridincell/> <w:wraptextwithpunct/> <w:useasianbreakrules/> </w:Compatibility> <w:browserlevel>MicrosoftInternetExplorer4</w:BrowserLevel> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if !mso]><object classid="clsid:38481807-CA0E-42D2-BF39-B33AF135CC4D" id="ieooui"></object> <style> st1\:*{behavior:url(#ieooui) } </style> <![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.25in 1.0in 1.25in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:10.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman";} </style> <![endif]--><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" >Words cannot describe my appreciation of your efforts to bring closure to our </span><st1:country-region style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"><st1:place><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" >Vietnam</span></st1:place></st1:country-region><span style=";font-family:Arial;font-size:12;" ><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;"> experience,THANK YOU,THANK YOU! Did I say THANK YOU for the return of my lost Tag?!”</span><span style=""> </span></span><br /><br />Importantly, last month TOP returned the dog tag of KIA Vietnam soldier, Roger Buren Propst, to his namesake, Roger Buren Propst Jr., who said to us afterward, <span style="font-size:100%;">"</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;font-family:Arial;font-size:100%;" >I just wanted to say thank you for getting my Father's dog tag to me. I cannot tell you how incredible it was to receive that. It is so nice to have a piece of my Dad."</span><br /><br />Likewise, in return, we are grateful for the sacrifices of our veterans and surviving family members: Thank you!<br /><br />Now, we have updated our recent <a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags/Tags-7-17-09.pdf">Personal Effects (Dog Tag) list</a> to include our recent finds in Vietnam. Please take time to look it over and try to find the names of loved one's, friends, those you served with . . . perhaps our Vietnam veterans will find their own names at:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags/Tags-7-17-09.pdf">http://www.topvietnamveterans.org/dog-tags/Tags-7-17-09.pdf</a><br /><br />Good luck and thank you in advance for please helping us to return these lost treasures to those of whom they belong to.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3940911199845899032.post-26427512050070959852009-04-23T16:54:00.043-07:002009-04-24T12:42:33.621-07:00American's Personal Effect Returned to Germany<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHa7gknOKexaaQjE3VYm8RyJOiVfwP68lJvyTE3GyAyaMElfQDF6oFOwH2CakQvusGd0VkD5pIIgpyLGjSfKLHHWVcFVdtTKR0rvSxUzO3po6nn9LEd4KGjoyy5SMzaBYOd4551MrrMSdd/s1600-h/Fordham+KIA.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328041431612748994" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 291px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHa7gknOKexaaQjE3VYm8RyJOiVfwP68lJvyTE3GyAyaMElfQDF6oFOwH2CakQvusGd0VkD5pIIgpyLGjSfKLHHWVcFVdtTKR0rvSxUzO3po6nn9LEd4KGjoyy5SMzaBYOd4551MrrMSdd/s400/Fordham+KIA.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxez5a5JR2TT8Oli7fpVbvwSa7HTGSfhhnCtp2dPpknf2srVXCMvMMSSU3nCpRDcuunL4WDC_TEy4hfstHOHXhjEzl5UJBId4Nbi2myQ0-SRxFJYcuE1ZSVDxxGYm0yAN7q2KMCgzbQHTF/s1600-h/Fordham+3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328040194330002562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 200px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 134px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxez5a5JR2TT8Oli7fpVbvwSa7HTGSfhhnCtp2dPpknf2srVXCMvMMSSU3nCpRDcuunL4WDC_TEy4hfstHOHXhjEzl5UJBId4Nbi2myQ0-SRxFJYcuE1ZSVDxxGYm0yAN7q2KMCgzbQHTF/s200/Fordham+3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div><strong>Tag "Worth it's weight in gold," travels around the world to family</strong></div><div><br /></div><div><strong>Berlin, Germany--</strong>TOP (Tours Of Peace) Vietnam Veterans has reunited the personal effect of Killed-In-Action soldier Russell Fordham, with family in Berlin, Germany. Son, Michael, received the dog tag on behalf of family. In addition to the dog tag's long journey from Vietnam to Germany via America, the effect has a long, poignant story.</div><div><br /></div><div></div><div>Born in 1933, Russell was a highly decorated soldier, who served 2-tours in Vietnam and received the Bronze Star; he also was awarded medals from service in Germany and Korea.</div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>During Russell's service in Germany, he met his bride-to-be, Christa. The Fordham's lived the life of a military family in America. Sadly, Russell died in Vietnam, September 4, 1969. After the loss of husband & father, Christa and the Fordham children eventually returned to Germany, where they reside to this date.</div><div><br /></div><div>TOP is grateful to German journalist, Ilka Hahn, in assisting with the final arrangements of the tag's return to family in Berlin. In the past, Ilka traveled & participated with TOP, in Vietnam, as an Education Program participant, and documented TOP's work in several European venues.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ilka wrote about the Russel Fordham dog tag and Michael Fordham supplemented the story with family heirloom pictures of Russell receiving one of his decorations, and standing next to an American flag for the article.</div><div><br /></div><div>Ilka's article reflects the German perspective and is translated in English for our blog and web site:</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ufi7P8MpCZO2g5L-cb1rKxU4Ne3P4X7-Z2Pq30Ld7YeOkB0xYWwl2wVeBJLDWxxxhrz6BCrX8EwphZLeAXFZ4VzC-jnfGtdO7bj-rThxAh8ZxSaJrbZDUPnY0kNhOAlPnqFq0TLkEr-6/s1600-h/TOP1.jpg"></a></div><div><div></div><div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:courier new;">By Ilka Hahn<br /></div></span><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ufi7P8MpCZO2g5L-cb1rKxU4Ne3P4X7-Z2Pq30Ld7YeOkB0xYWwl2wVeBJLDWxxxhrz6BCrX8EwphZLeAXFZ4VzC-jnfGtdO7bj-rThxAh8ZxSaJrbZDUPnY0kNhOAlPnqFq0TLkEr-6/s1600-h/TOP1.jpg"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328318283725243794" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 383px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 244px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Ufi7P8MpCZO2g5L-cb1rKxU4Ne3P4X7-Z2Pq30Ld7YeOkB0xYWwl2wVeBJLDWxxxhrz6BCrX8EwphZLeAXFZ4VzC-jnfGtdO7bj-rThxAh8ZxSaJrbZDUPnY0kNhOAlPnqFq0TLkEr-6/s400/TOP1.jpg" border="0" /></span></a></div><div><span style="font-family:courier new;">“The German Mail recently delivered a worthless piece of metal to Michael Fordham in Berlin-Spandau. Still, Fordham did not know whether to laugh or to cry. The reason: This piece of metal is the last memory of his father who died in Vietnam. It is almost 40 years ago that Russell C. Fordham, a multiply decorated SFC, served in Vietnam for the second time. In September 1969, artillery hit a recovery camp where Fordham stayed at that </span><span style="font-family:courier new;">time. He died on the operating table shortly after. Nobody knows if he was still wearing the piece of metal around his neck in that moment or if he had already lost it before.</span></div><div><br /><span style="font-family:courier new;">The Americans call these pieces of metal “Dog tags.” To quickly identify the wounded and dead, the essentials are stamped on them: name, confession, blood group et cetera. For many veterans, however, this piece of metal means more than just an ID in times of war. They keep it for a life time – as a part of themselves. The US-organization “Tours of Peace” (TOP) has now found the dog tag of Russell C. Fordham. TOP helps American veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder: Soldiers who, due to their war experiences, became alcoholics, aggressive or unable to keep up personal relationships. And TOP returns old dog tags, that are still dug out or found in Vietnam, to their owners or family.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:courier new;"></span></div><div><span style="font-family:courier new;">When Russell C. Fordham died, his son Michael was just seven years old. Fordham met his German wife Christa in Berlin. He was stationed in Germany for five years. “<em>My mother used to work in an American shopping center called 'PX' in Berlin-Zehlendorf. After three proposals she finally accepted. That was in 1961”,</em> says Michael (46). The family then moved to Columbus, Georgia, and Michael Fordham today still holds an American passport. <em>“My dad taught me how to play baseball and how to calculate. I inherited his technical understanding. Back then I often watched him repair cars.”</em> On the desk in his office he still keeps a photograph of his father.<br /><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family:courier new;">Two years after Russell’s death, Michael Fordham, his younger sister Susan and his mother moved back to Berlin. At their weekly meetings his today 71-year-old mother regularly tells Michael stories about his father. Also, his five aunts and uncles in the US often talk about how Russell was like. And still: The worthless piece of metal held a surprise for him, after all those years. <em>“I didn’t know that he was a protestant. I always thought that he was a baptist. For me, this tag is like an important piece of a puzzle that was missing”</em>, says the telecommunication engineer. <em>“It was a sad but at the same time wonderful feeling to actually hold it in my hands. I wish it could talk and tell me what happened back then.”</em> But even if this will never happen: <em>“This tag will get a very special place. It is worth its weigh in gold.</em>” </span></div><div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKkFlWQgd4RiSfZjjQnAPg4ukP08w7m8Zx3kvGGink6l3mMKAgeXdgBlCOU58uO-4fIZd3APWJ7B-HIyqeMyVbs_9YF4AMMOFkjI6AgEBk0rdO1fRvMJKUzqZ_y8597VgtzOdEcxvLvzW/s1600-h/TOP2.jpg"><span style="font-family:courier new;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5328042543459383058" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 269px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixKkFlWQgd4RiSfZjjQnAPg4ukP08w7m8Zx3kvGGink6l3mMKAgeXdgBlCOU58uO-4fIZd3APWJ7B-HIyqeMyVbs_9YF4AMMOFkjI6AgEBk0rdO1fRvMJKUzqZ_y8597VgtzOdEcxvLvzW/s400/TOP2.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="font-family:courier new;"><br /><br /><br /></span></div><div></div></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0