Operation Just Cause... ...for as long as it takes
by Marilyn Grote
Kimmie is the Co-Director of the OJC Webring and is actively involved in bringing her Dad home as well as all of the POW/MIA(s).
The Moonduster Chronicle is proud to introduce you to Kimberly Thomas-Bowles:
I was born in Honolulu, Hawaii. After my Dad was reported POW/MIA we moved around a lot. Right now I am living in St. Petersburg, Florida.
I am one of the many who was given no choice but to become involved in the POW/MIA issue. Thanksgiving Day, 1971, my father T/SGT James Richard Thomas was returning from a mission when his chopper went down in the Song Nha Be River. He was seen alive by eyewitnesses but disappeared with out a trace. I dropped out from burnout on the issue in the middle 1980's. I became actively involved again in 1995. With the death of my mother, who took her own life in 1997 because of this war, I have now gained the status of PNOK better known as Primary Next of Kin. As long as I live, my new mission is to strive to make sense of the loss of both parents to this war. My mom will not be laid to rest until my dad is home, even though she has finally had her homecoming.
Q: How did you first get involved with OJC?
A: I first got involved with OJC just like any other member about two and a half years ago. While surfing the Internet one day, I came across a link, clicked on it and I was HOOKED :). I read beginning to end Gunny's Page and then read the OJC pages. I couldn't believe that there were others from all walks of life not just military, family members, veterans, but tons of others who care about the men and women who wait to come home from this war. As a child of an MIA, for years I thought I was alone. Now I found out I wasn't. I immediately signed up my dad's page for the webring. I was a novice at the time with only two weeks on the Internet. I had learned how to make a basic page but I could not figure for the life of me how to add the HTML tag and graphic that OJC required for the webring. I was removed from the queue twice. I cried, I wrote Gunny a letter and I guess I touched him in a small way because 30 minutes later I met a man who would change my Internet life; Dennis Johnson. He wrote me and said that he got an email from Gunny about my problem. Let me tell you Dennis personally spent over 3 hours with me teaching me how to put the HTML code on my page. He taught me well and from then on my life became a mission of helping OJC out whenever possible.
Q: What is your job with OJC now and if you have done other things in the past, what were they?
A: In the beginning, I was really just a ring member. I took the time to view each and every webring page and I sat in awe at all the love and support that flowed from the pages. At that time there were 800 members in the webring. One day, Dennis asked if I would like to learn how to assist with the webring queue. I told him sure and I have been doing it for over the past two years. Over time, I became the Co-director of the OJC Webring working with Dennis and Barb. It is my job when someone joins the ring to check their sites and make sure that all needed materials are on the page being submitted. If someone needs some help getting the code on their page, I assist in that. If the page is not in compliance, I personally write the person and let them know what has to be done in order to get them into the webring. Once all is in order, I then add them to the webring and welcome them aboard.
Q: Besides working with OJC for the return of the POW/MIA what do you do personally (on your own)?
A: I am a stay at home mom with my two sons. My stepson is named Andrew and he is almost 9 years old.
My son James Richard just turned 3 years old. I left my job at the hospital shortly after my son James Richard was born (he is named after my dad). He was born with some slight birth defects and was a preemie and he required all of my time.
When he was a year old, I joined the VVA Chapter 787 of Tampa, Florida. I work with them closely and offer to speak to High School students in Hillsborough County who choose to take the course they offer "The History of The Vietnam War". The questions they ask still amaze me. I talk as the daughter of an MIA, what it has been like "walking in my shoes" and I try desperately to educate them that no matter what they may think of their parents I would have given anything to have been grounded by my dad when I was 16, walked down the aisle when I was married, to have him there to meet his namesake. I usually walk into the class with at least 3-5 MIA bracelets (not including my own that I wear) and I always go home with out any (including my own). It touches my heart to know that the younger generation truly wants to understand this war. It honors my dad to know that there are several of our future leaders who want to wear not only his bracelet but also the names of several others of our men. I always have a sheet printed up with information on it about how they can go about joining organizations like OJC, where to find POW/MIA bracelets and my phone number in case I missed their questions. I have long carried the motto” Educate, do not alienate".
In addition to my speaking, I work with The Moving Wall when it comes to Tampa, Florida and hope to one day make it up to Melbourne, Florida to help out with the Moving Wall when it arrives there. Every June, you will find me in Washington, DC for the National Alliance meetings and the Government briefings. And when called upon, I do public speaking at events like Memorial Day and POW/MIA Remembrance Day.
Q: What would you recommend for people to be doing to bring the POW/MIA(s) back home?
A: The most important thing I can stress is that we must let our Government know that we will never forget. I can't tell you how it helps the families to know that there are others helping us to fight for our loved ones to be returned home. Write letters, speak up and let them know that ALL our men deserve to be brought home; Alive or Dead - that's the least the government can do for us and for them as Americans.
Q: Since you check the sites for the web ring what do you find to be the most common mistake people make in setting up their POW/MIA page?
A: I never look at it as a mistake. The most common problem is that when people join the ring, they are so anxious they overlook some of the ring requirements. Some need help in getting the HTML code on their page, and others just need a reminder of where the code has to be placed. All easily resolved and I usually try to help them out whenever and however I can.
Q: Do you have any favorite stories from being a volunteer for OJC?
A: My favorite story isn't really a story. It is more a feeling that I will have for the remainder of my life. That is the feeling I had the very first time and every time I meet Steve, Gunny, Dennis and all the other members I have been honored to meet on my trips to Washington.
Q: Do you have a memory that you would like to share?
A: Let me tell you all something, you haven't heard anything until you hear Gunny play Danny Boy on the Irish Whistle during a Midnight Trip to the Wall.
Q: Any personal comments or ideas you wish to share with the readers?
A: If any reader here has the opportunity to come to Washington DC in June for the Nation Alliance and Government briefings, please come!!! I have met so many friends on line in my work with OJC but have only met a very small few in person. I learned last year to change my government pass to simply read "Kimmie" OJC because that's who I am. No one recognized me when I walked in with my full name on the credentials tag. I would love to meet everyone!!!! But most importantly, know from the hearts of not only my family but from other families "Thank You for caring, God Bless.
Q: You have the National Alliance and Government briefings mentioned--could you give some explanation of what the meetings and briefings are?
Q: What would you like to see happen in the year 2000?
A: As in all the past years, I want this to be the year They Finally Come HOME!!!! I am tired of the empty coffins, the "Well, we got a positive ID on one team member so all are being considered accounted for" line. This has to stop. Give us the best and most total accounting. It's been far too long!!!! My son shouldn't have to grow up learning to fight for his grandfather; his daughter shouldn't have to fight for her dad. We just want them home. Is that too much to ask????
To learn about Kimmie's Dad please read the POW/MIA of the Month.
George “Gunny” Fallon: Kimmie...where do I start...? I don't even remember when it was I met her...I think I've known her all of my life...at least all of her life...
The very first time I met Kimmie face to face I hugged her and I haven't let go since. We'd been writing and talking for a long long time by then... I'd been involved in the issue for years when we bumped into each other on the net, but it wasn't until we exchanged our first Email that I realized just what this cause of ours is really about. It's about the Kimmies of this country who ask questions of the bureaucrats and then have to fight to get honest answers. Before there was an OJC, Kimmie was fighting the fight on her own. If
OJC had never come about, Kimmie would still be striking fear and dread into the hearts of the bureaucrats. Nobody can say "no" to Kimmie. They try but they regret it. Kimmie isn't going away till her Dad, my Brother Jim Thomas, comes home. And I'm going to be right here with her all the way.
I love you Kimmie...
From Dennis Johnson: One night, a very long time ago, I got an email from Gunny asking me if I could help “Kimmie” who was a “niece” who was having trouble getting into the ring. So off I went. I checked her site in the ring queue and went to the URL listed. That's where I first met her Dad.
It took a few hours but we got everything where it needed to be and I happily moved the site from the ring to the queue. By then she was my Lil Sis and has become a very dear friend as well. Now Kimmie virtually runs the ring. She has come a long way with her Internet savvy and really knows what she's doing. She manages other folk's sites now!
We met last year in D.C. at the meetings. Gunny, Steve, Kimmie, Chris, Diane and my wife Diane all met and attended meetings and shared in paying tribute to Ted Guy at his interment at Arlington National cemetery. I met Kimmie's Dad, and Chris' and Diane's when I was introduced to them very late one night at the Wall. It was an experience I'll never forget.
From Karl Kristiansen: I have had the pleasure of knowing Kim for quite a while via our involvement in Operation Just Cause. As a member of the OJC staff, she works diligently keeping the webring in good working order. With the size of the ring now (over 1000 members), it's a great testament to her dedication that it is in such good shape. And it is true, "great minds DO think alike" :-)
From Marilyn Grote: Dennis Johnson came up with the idea of doing the Volunteer of the Month and the POW/MIA of the Month on Kim and her Dad. I liked the idea but thought it might be too much to ask of one person. Kimmie gladly accepted the offer and from that point on cooperated, helped and worked hard to answer the questions and help with the columns. What was extra special to me was over the month of working with Kimmie she became a friend who I admire and respect greatly. Thank you Kimmie for a great job. You went way beyond the call of duty and I appreciate it and thank you very much.
Uncle Gunny
