From Barb:
I was born in Philadelphia, PA, one of eight brothers and sisters. My family and I moved to New Jersey after I graduated from high school, and a few years later we moved back to Philadelphia, and I have lived here ever since.
I am married with three children, ages 17, 8, and 7. I spent nine years working as a Pharmacy Technician, but what I really have always wanted to be is a writer. I am a big fan of NASA, particularly the manned space flights from the early days. I have even been lucky enough to have a few articles published in newspapers and magazines about the American Space Program.
My interests aside from the POW/MIA and Veterans issues are reading, writing, listening to oldies music, and going online. I am also extremely concerned with issues involving children, most important being a well-rounded education for all our country's kids.
Questions Barb answered for this article:
Moonduster:
How did you get involved in OJC and the POW/MIA issue?
Answer:
We got our first computer about five years ago and I fiddled around with stories and documents in WordPerfect because I have always enjoyed writing. It was the only subject in school I did well in and enjoyed doing. We went online two years after that. Since I had no idea what the Internet was all about, I decided to check out the subjects I was interested in and so I visited writers' websites.
I joined a writers' mailing list and someone on the list needed to research something about the Vietnam Veterans' Memorial Wall. The URL for the online version of The Wall was included in the email. I clicked on the link and stayed on that website for a while, amazed at what I saw there.
I went on a class trip way back with my 8th grade class. Not only was The Wall not built yet, but also the Vietnam War was still going on. That was one of the most memorable trips I had ever taken and I have wanted to go back to DC. That was one of the reasons I was interested in reading about The Wall.
From there I found the link to Gunny Fallon's website. I had no idea that all of the men who went to Vietnam did not return home. Whether it was stupidity or sheer ignorance, I was shocked to learn there are still those that are unaccounted for. I found the page to adopt a POW/MIA, felt I had to get involved, and that was how it all started for me. I got involved before the Operation Just Cause Webring was formed.
MC:
What was and what is your job for OJC?
A:
I adopted several POW/MIA's, built web pages for them, wrote letters to Government officials on their behalf, and joined a mailing list. Shortly thereafter, I found out that Jason, the man the Moonduster Chronicles is named for, was very ill and had to stop the work he did for the POW/MIA issue. I emailed Gunny and asked if there was anything I could do to help and he put me in charge of answering the email. There was not a lot of work for me to do and I wanted to do more.
At the start of the OJC's Webring formation, I helped out on the OJC Webring Team. Then when Robert had to step down as "The Moonduster Chronicles" editor, I asked if I could do it. My offer would let me stay involved with the POW/MIA issue and in contact with the OJC members while doing something I have always loved doing, some writing.
I still occasionally help out on the OJC Webring Team when people go on vacation, and I answer the mail, or redirect it to those who can, for the OJC Mailroom.
Recently, I joined the Adoption Team. The comments I read from people requesting to adopt lets me know that there are so many people outside of OJC that are concerned and it makes me feel good to help them become involved.
MC:
What is involved with getting the information together each month for the Moonduster Chronicle and getting it up and working on the Internet?
A:
When I first started doing the OJC Newsletter, I asked for help from those I knew well and they were more than happy to oblige. Someone recommended a program for me to use that would allow me to do the Newsletter in the proper format. It took me a while to understand how to get it up on the Internet. My husband, and Dennis Johnson (God Bless Dennis) spent many hours explaining FTP and how it works. I was okay with the writing part but the technical stuff left me in the dark. I finally figured it out.
I decided to dedicate each issue to a particular subject. I try to make the theme coincide with anniversaries, holidays, etc. for that month that ties in with the POW/MIA or Veterans' issues. Each month I dedicate sections to POW/MIA's officially announced missing that month. I also include important events in history that occurred during that month.
My friend, Marilyn Grote, whom I have had the pleasure of working with on the Adoption Team, puts together two very special sections for the OJC Newsletter, The Volunteer of the Month, and The POW/MIA of the Month. These were her ideas and I am so thrilled to work with her each month, as she does a fantastic job.
Additionally, each month I receive announcements from OJC Staff Members and from POW/MIA mailing lists, as well as news from Veterans' Groups, that I include in each month's issue. Many people submit their original poems and stories, and of course, other OJC staff members come up with wonderful ideas for new additions to the Newsletter that have made it so easy and enjoyable to put together every month.
MC:
Do you have any message for the OJC Staff and friends?
A:
I think a lot of people that grew up in the 60's feels a certain connection to the Vietnam War, whether they knew someone who served in the Vietnam War or not. There were so many things going on in that decade and a lot of it was anything but good. I think all of the members of OJC are connected in some way. I feel as though I am part of a family.
I feel honored to be part of Operation Just Cause for many reasons. One of those reasons has been the chance to meet many of those men who fought for freedom in a far away place, our Vietnam Veterans. They are some of the most generous and good-hearted human beings that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.
My involvement in OJC gives me the hope that one day I will be able to say "Welcome Home" to those men that have not returned. And, in a way, it has given me the chance to say "Welcome Home" and "Thank You" to those Vietnam Veterans who DID return. Unfortunately the words are coming thirty years too late. I hope to stay involved with OJC for as long as they will have me.
Comments from the OJC Staff and friends:
From George “Gunny” Fallon:
It is not at all easy to put my feelings about Barb into a few hundred words. There is just too much to remember and to relate.
Barb was one of the very first to come on board OJC. She was here before we even came up with the name.
Barb is just about the kindest, gentlest person I know. She is also one of the hardest working, most selfless volunteers we have. She is truly dedicated to the task and to the families of the missing. Barb has always been there, pitching in, looking for more work to do to further the mission of OJC. I remember when we were going through the restructuring a couple of years ago. Barb was an integral part of the process.
Everyone involved in OJC, including Colonel Guy, has always had good things to say about her. Everyone is aware of just how great she is... everyone but Barb... But then, that's part of her greatness. She's a good friend, and a terrific mother and a Sister to be proud of. I love you Barb and I hope you'll be with us for a long time.
Your Brother,
Gunny
From Steve Golding:
I first became 'aware' of Barb when she made an announcement to the listserv--it was real early on so I don't remember which listserv it was--and she was taking some heat for how she phrased something. See in the early OJC days, Barb was a practicing diplomat; she tried her damndest not to offend anyone. It seems that in this particular issue there are people who critique everything from presentation to the spelling of words and Barb was getting jumped for her presentation. Personally, I thought her presentation was pretty decent -- I remember that it was a complex part of the issue and thinking that Barb had phrased it just the correct way. Well, the critics started mounting an offensive and quite frankly Barb started to apologize. I immediately e-mailed her and told her not to back off her original stance and I jumped into the fray to beat back what I refer to as the "nay-sayers." I didn't really know Barb then, but I felt that she was unfairly targeted. After I had e-mailed her she stood her ground and together we convinced the nay-sayers that there were meeker food to feed on. Of course, they went away to bottom feed elsewhere.
I then kinda/sorta watched out for Barb and gave her encouragement when she needed it (or when I felt she needed it) and gave her kudos' when warranted--because I saw something in her. She is a writer; a wordsmith if you will and she can take something that is pretty bland and turn it into something that if not outright interesting, at the least it is palatable. That is no small feat in this issue! She IS the Moonduster Chronicles. She writes, edits and places most of the stories that comprise the Moonduster Chronicles and she brings it all together with a cohesiveness that makes reading the Chronicles enjoyable--even if it is bad news. I love the different themes that she has used! She once threatened to make me a proofreader and it was at that juncture that I knew Barb Malone could stand with any of us on her own. It was time for me to cut her loose and let her bloom. She did me proud. I'm sorry if that sounds patronizing, I sincerely mean it.
Barb is one of the few OJC members that I have met. I went to Sullivan's to embarrass the hell out of Gunny, but Barb and her daughter were there, along with former member Cheryl York and Gunny's wife Betsy. Barb was nothing like I imagined. I thought, what the hell is this petite, quiet, unassuming woman doing in this aggressively loud issue? Well she was neither quiet nor unassuming that night and she laughed when I went into my shtick and that endeared her to me that much more.
We here at OJC are fortunate in our volunteers. Each one of them brings something to the table. Barb brings with her an impressive list. She toils tirelessly and without complaint. I have never, ever heard a complaint coming from her. She is absolutely reliable. When Gunny, Dennis and I were at the family meetings and Ted's funeral in June of last year, it was Barb whom quietly and efficiently took the reigns of OJC and ran with it. No complaint. No trepidation. No fatigue. There was a job to do and she stepped up to the plate and did it. You have no idea how comforting it is to know that we can leave OJC in the hands of the very capable Barb Malone and not come back to sheer chaos. Barb gets things done with quiet diligence. She does not beat her chest and scream look at what I did; she does not complain that while she's doing too much Steve is doing too little. Simply put, Barb just does.
Barb is one of the top reasons why I stay as focused as I am in this issue. Having Barb in OJC allows me to hit the road challenging the government and doing what I need to do in the issue with the full knowledge that if something comes up in OJC, Barb will be one of the folks who will e-mail me the straight skinny instead of psycho-babble bull-bleep. She cuts to the chase and tells me what needs to be said. I respect that.
She once paid me one of the highest compliments that I have ever been paid; that if she were to ever go to war she would want me in the foxhole with her. There ain't a whole lot of people that I would say that about. Barb is definitely one of them. I would want quiet diligence working in conjunction with deadly mayhem because together I think we could get the job done--together we will get this job done.
I know that I've used an awful lot of space to describe my feelings for Barb Malone. I could use an awful lot more, but I will leave it at Quiet Diligence. Steady. Rock Solid. Capable. Dependable. And as they say in the County of Kings, State of New York (and for all those that don't know--BROOKLYN) Barb Malone is Good People.
'Nuff said.
Steve
From Dennis Johnson:
Barb has been with OJC for a long time. She has worked in many areas and has always given 110%. I can't tell you how many times she has been there for us!
Barb is a truly steadfast supporter and when it comes to active staff, you just can't be more active than she is. From the newsletter to the webring, adoptions and anything else asked of her, she is there for us.
When I was playing hooky in the summer, traveling around this great country of ours, she was there to keep it all together. And, of course, she handled it all without complaint.
But one of the more special things about Barb is that she is one terrific lady. Her dedication is constant. Her sense of humor is matched only by her ability to say it like it is.
Barb, I want to take this opportunity to thank you for everything you have done and all you continue to do. I appreciate you so much and am blessed to be able to call you friend. If we had a few more like you at OJC we could all rest easier.
Dennis
From Karl Kristiansen:
I have "known" Barb for quite a while via the Internet. She is, in my opinion, one of the unsung heroes of OJC. She has worn many hats for OJC and has done a great job, no matter what the task.
The Moonduster Chronicles has blossomed under her leadership. It is well done, well organized and most importantly, interesting. She has not been afraid to add features and try different things. I think it is something all OJC members should read.
On a personal level, there is not a nicer, more honest person than Barb. It is nice to know I have a friend like her. Two thumbs up on a great choice for Volunteer of the Month.
See ya,
Karl
From Kimberly Thomas-Bowles:
I have had the honor of working with Barb for years now. She is a very dedicated individual and one of the sweetest human beings I have ever had the honor of knowing. When I am unavailable to work the webring, Barb is always quick to help out and take over. Barbs articles are heartfelt and show just what a caring person she is.
Kimmie
From Marilyn Grote:
I could never find the words to explain how much I think of Barb and how precious her friendship is to me. Barb is Wonder Woman, everything she does, she does very well. I am amazed that she manages to put out an outstanding Newsletter each month and continues to keep making it better and better. I hope we continue to work together for a long time because I could never find anyone easier and nicer to work with than Barb. The best thing about Barb is she is Barb.
MG
*Side Note: After reading the comments from my fellow members in OJC, I have to say that I am speechless, for once. I am deeply grateful for all the kind words, and I feel the same way about each and every one of you. If I am any of those things you mentioned, it is because of the support and the encouragement I have received from all of you. With all the bad things we hear about going on in the world today, it is nice to know that there are people like all of you out there. It tells me that all is not lost and there is still hope for the future.
Sincerely,
Barb Fitzgerald-Malone
