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The Moonduster Chronicles
The Official Newsletter of Operation Just Cause

...for as long as it takes                                                                                 March 1999

"The Star Spangled Banner"


Graphic by Doc

The theme for this month's issue of "The Moonduster Chronicles" is dedicated to "The Star-Spangled Banner". Written by Francis Scott Key, it became our official National Anthem sixty-eight years ago, on March 3, 1931. Two-hundred and twenty-three years after gaining our freedom, our "flag is still there".

The people we have to thank for that is our country's veterans, and the POW/MIA's who continue to serve. They honor our Flag and the independence it represents. So, this month's issue of our Newsletter will feature tributes to the American Flag and to the men and women who have served this country, especially to those who continue to serve, our POW/MIA's.

"The Star Spangled Banner"


Graphic by Dennis Johnson

Although there are four verses to "The Star Spangled Banner, the first verse is the most familiar.
To see the words of the entire National Anthem, please visit the following webstie:
The Star Spangled Banner

Oh, say, can you see, by the dawn's early light,
What so proudly we hail'd at the twilight's last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight,
O'er the ramparts we watch'd, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

In our "Featured Stories" section, I would like to include the readers' thoughts on what the words to "The Star Spangled Banner" means to citizens of the United States. In my opinion, the most powerful phrase is "Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there." The Flag of the United States continues to represent "Freedom", and this country's veterans fought to preserve and protect that Freedom. Our Flag is "still" there thanks to the brave men and women who fought for our country.

The following announcements first appeared in the February '99 edition of "The Moonduster Chronicles".
I am running them again for those of you that may have missed them.

Important Message From Gunny

I will be stepping back for a couple of weeks to work on a special project that will be taking all of my time. Meanwhile, please address all OJC related correspondence to the appropriate Team:

OJC Teams

Thanks...Gunny

...And Some Special Announcements From Gunny

Brother Gunny Carlos Hathcock Has Passed On

Gunny Carlos Hathcock, unquestionably the greatest sniper and one of the finest Marines in the history of the Corps, has passed away. This in from Al Varelas:

It is with great sadness that I must inform you that retired Marine sniper GySgt. Carlos Nathaniel Hathcock III has passed on. Carlos went into the hospital last week with a kindney infection and was supposed to come home this Friday, 26 February. Carlos suffered from MS, and for the past two years had been confined to home and bed.

Those who did not know this man, missed out on a great gentle and caring person who without reservation gave all for his country. God bless you Carlos, rest in peace. Please visit the following website for GySgt. Hathcock:

A Tribute to GySGT. Carlos Hathcock

Mrs Hathcock has asked that memorial donations be made to the The Multiple Sclerosis Foundation, Inc. (MSF) on the following site: Sniper Country


Death MG Frederic Ellis Davison

From Clay Crowder:

Gunny did you know that MG Davison passed away Jan 24, 1999 after a failed kidney operation He was buried in Arlington National Feb 2, 1999 I have a Memorial Page for him at the link below just click on the image at the top of the page and it will take you to his Memorial Page This page is for all ex servicemen and women to look at

You did not have to be a member of the 199th Infantry Brigade. Many of you may not know who General Davison was He was the first Afro-American to be permoted to General and he was the only Black general to command in Vietnam. When I first arived in Vietnam he was A Col. then a few months later he got his first star from General Abrams. What a day that was

I was his Communications Chief for over a year
Thanks for all that you do
God Bless
Clay Crowder

Memorial Page for MG Davison

Reminder--I hope everyone is remembering to keep Colonel Ted Guy and his lovely wife Linda in their thoughts and prayers. God knows how much we need him here.

Time Life Series: The Vietnam Experience

I doubt there was ever a greater tribute to the Vietnam Veteran than the Time Life series: The Vietnam Experience. This series was created by my friend and fellow Vietnam Vet, Bob George, a Marine A-6 pilot whose family has given more to the country and the Corps than anyone should be asked to give. Bob's nephew Chris, son of our late Brother Ken George, is an active, hard-working member of Operation Just Cause.

Many vets who were still "in the closet" when the series was released, missed out on the opportunity and never got to see the series. It has had remarkable reconciliatory and healing powers for just about every vet I know. It was the very first publication of any kind to tell the story as it really was. You could not read one of the 26 volumes without experiencing a sense of pride in being a Vietnam Vet.

Bob has just advised me that the series is finally going to be rereleased, along with a video. To learn more about it, go to The Vietnam Experience Website and see for yourself. BTW, This is just an announcement that the series is available again.

This is NOT an advertisement. "The Vietnam Experience" does not need a plug or an endorsement from a tired old Gunny. More than 9,000,000 volumes were sold. Over 700,000 people subscribed after seeing the first volume. Each volume speaks for itself. If you know anyone who has any of the volumes from the series, just take a look at it and you will understand what I'm talking about.

New Feature for Emailing Elected Officials in Washington

One of OJC's original members, Joe Oliver, has has created a feature which should make emailing all of our elected officials in Washington a lot easier. It is similar to the one Bud set up: Email 106th Congress with one major difference.

Joe's site sends an individual copy of your letter to each address. Also, Colonel Guy and I each get a copy so we know how much mail is going out to DC on the POW issue.

To use Joe's feature, just prepare your message (spend some time making it meaningful folks...and don't say anything that the rest of us will wind up answering for later on) and send it to:

pow2congress@soft-vision.com

That's all there is to it. I know it works because I used it a short time ago and very quickly began receiving auto responses from all over inside the beltway.

Word of caution. Don't accidentally (or otherwise) put this address on any mailing lists. The last thing we need is for the entire congress to start getting daily msgs from Joe's server announcing every birth, death, new site, info update, good news, bad news, prayer request etc.... If that happens, it will be a matter of moments before they start hitting the delete key every time they see the return address.

This can be a very useful tool Joe created. Use it wisely and don't abuse it.

On that note:

As a writer, I have learned that you have to catch their attention in the first sentence AND in the subject line. These are professional politicians folks...What do you think is the phrase they most like to hear? The one that will keep them reading? A simple "Thank You" in the subject line will get their attention. Then how about opening with: "First of all I'd like to thank you for all you have done...but more about that later..."

They will keep reading just to see what you are thanking them for so they can get their daily dose of warm and fuzzy 'feel goods and ego strokes'.

Hopefully, along the way, they will absorb some of what you are writing them about. If the letter is well written, by the time they get to the end they will have stopped looking for praise and started thinking about how they can keep you happy so you will send them more praise. And if they DO do something to help, be sure to thank them for real.

Another thing to keep in mind is that snail mail gets more attention than email, faxes get more attention than normal snail mail and hand-written letters get the best response of all.

(*Message from Bud--I have updated my page to e-mail the 106th Congress. It now is configured to send e-mail using Bcc--Blind Carbon Copy} Instructions are at Email 106th Congress
Best regards, Bud)

Flying of the POW/MIA Flag

As I'm sure you all know, the city of Gainsville, FL made it illegal to fly the POW Flag. The response was instant and overwhelmig and they have reversed their position. It was simply a matter of educating those in charge.

I found it significant that a local official wrote me and said he had been overwhelmed by more than 40 emails about the matter. If 40+ emails can make a town reverse a statute, think what thousands of emails, faxes, snail mail letters and phone calls can do in Washington. Keep them pouring in. We need the support now more than ever.

A while back Primakove vowed to look into the allegations by the late General Volkogonov, that plans exosted for transfering American POWs in SE Asia to the Soviet Union for intelligence purposes.

With the US military action in Iraq and Kosovo, it is unlikely we will see results from Mr Primakov any time soon. Let's use every other means available to get those answers.

IMPORTANT:

I have just had the opportunity to read a book by Brother Vet Hiland B. Doolittle. The Last Parade is a novel written in a unique and compelling style. I will say only this about it: If you read only one more book in your lifetime, read "The Last Parade."

I have posted a review of "The Last Parade" in "The Meadow" (which incidentally I have redesigned completely so that it loads 20 times faster) at http://whitetail.nji.com/~gfallon

Just click on Book Reviews and on The Last Parade. There is also a link to ordering information.

End of Messages from Gunny

"The Moonduster Chronicles"
March 1999

Special Announcement
Return With Honor
Sent in by Willie Dougherty

One of the things that Austin is famous for is the South by Southwest Music / Film Convention SXSW. This afternoon, I got the chance to view the film "Return With Honor" directed by Fredia Mock and Terry Sanders of which I got to meet both. In the audience there were over a dozen Former POWs, most of which were in the film.

Synopsis: In 1973, 462 American pilots returned home after having been held captive for eight and a half years in North Viet Nam. Return with Honor tells the story of these pilots and their captivity through firsthand accounts and interviews with the families they had left behind.

Though this film may not cover the plight that we face in the accountability of those still missing, it was a well done film. My understanding is that it will be released nationwide next month. I'm sure since it is a documentary that it will most likely be shown at College theaters. If you get chance to view it in your area it is worth your time.

March 1999 is Women's History Month
DoD Salutes Women's History Month

Announcements

  • Displaying of the POW/MIA Flag--Texas

  • POW-MIA Memorial Highway Dedication

  • Sailors Among Remains Identified and Returned From Southeast Asia

  • Tomb of Vietnam Unknown May Remain Empty

  • World War II MIA Remains Identified

Creativity Corner

Poetry
  • A Real Prayer
  • If It Were Your Child
  • Lights of Home
  • Red, White & Blue
  • Tell Them Thanks
  • We Don't Blame You Sarge
  • Will You?

    Stories
    "The Often Forgotten Soldier"
    "A Rolling Reminder"

    Editorials
  • The Bamboo Bamboozle

  • Our Flag Is Still There

    Links of Interest



    Click on radio graphic to go directly ot the POW/MIA Freedom Radio website


    Click Here to check for upcoming dates and scheduled guests.
    **Updated regularly**
    Thanks to Gunny for the POW/MIA Freedom Radio graphic

    POW/MIA's This Month

    Special
    "Whose Broad Stripes and Bright Stars..."


    Graphic by Dennis Johnson

    Guidelines for Display of the Flag

    Honoring The American Flag

    "Old Glory"

    "The Pledge of Allegiance"

    The Star Spangled Banner Links

    The United States Flag

    You're a Grand Ol' Flag-A Tribute To Naval Pilot Mike Christian
    Thank you, Marsha, for finding this wonderful tribute to Mike

    "More Than Just a Few Good Men.."
    Special Tribute to Those Who Served and Honored "The Star Spangled Banner

    *Click on the graphic to read the tributes.

    • Graphic by Dennis Johnson
    This section will include names and website URL's of some very special veterans sent in by the readers. If you would like to pay tribute to some of the veterans you know, please send them to:
    NL@ojc.org

    This Month in History

    Veterans News and Information

    Benefits

    • Budget Committee Answers Administration Neglect With
      'Unprecedented' $1.1 Billion Increase for Veterans Health Care

    • Review of Federal Former Spouse's Protection Laws

    • Senate Boosts Military Benefits in S.4

    • Truth about pay raise: Congress Debating Military Pay Issues

    • VA Accepting Applications For 1999 Homeless Assistance Grants

    • VA's Performance Plan Submitted to Congress

    • Veterans Shortchanged By President's VA Budget
      Legislative Alert March 8, 1999

    • Vets Support for Committee Proposed Increase

    • VFW Praises Authors of the Montgomery GI Bill Expansion Act of 1999
    General

  • Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal Approved
    For Operation Joint Endeavor or Operation Joint Guard

  • Armed Forces Radio And Television To Broadcast
    Exclusive Presidential Interview For U.S. Troops

  • Clinton Lauds Military's Equal Opportunity

  • Clinton Says Military Life Tough But Essential to Freedom

  • Clinton Thanks U.S. Troops in Central America Relief Effort

  • Cohen Notes "National Treasure" at Desert Site

  • DFAS Chief Says Pay Will Be OK, Despite Y2K

  • DoD Committed to Preventing Family Violence

  • DoD Web Site Showcases U.S. Forces Korea

  • Department of Defense Conducts Virtual Job Fair

  • Every Entry Wins in YMCA Young Readers Essay Contest

  • Exception Allows Expeditionary Medal For Balkans

  • FBI, Army Agents Recover Civil War African American Troops Flag

  • House Approves More Consistent Regulations for
    Burial at Arlington National Cemetery

  • Marine Corps Statement Following Acquittal Verdict Of Captain Richard Ashby

  • Military Women's Memorial Still Growing

  • National Cemetery Named After Historic Ohio Western Reserve

  • Program Prepares Civilians for Bright Futures

  • Subcommittee to Probe VA's Treatment of Whistleblowers

  • Three States Offering Bonuses to Gulf War veterans.
    See Message from the Special Assistant at:
    TheGulfLink Website

  • VA Observes 10th Anniversary as a Cabinet Department

  • Veterans Remember Persian Gulf Casualties

  • Voting Program Announces Slogan Contest

  • Women in the Military: A Jewish Perspective

  • Youthful Dream Fulfilled

    Medical

    • Administration Health Budget For VA
      Simply Unacceptable

      Duty-Bound to Order Anthrax Shots, Cohen Says

    • Lifescan Blood Glucose Monitors Recalled

    • Nation's First Patient Safety Centers Will Benefit Millions

    • Straight Talk on Anthrax from Top Doc

    • Subcommittee Wins VA Agreement to Reform Capital Spending Plans

    • VA Funds Novel Telemedicine Projects
      To Treat Paralyzed Veterans

    • VA to Study Spinal Cord Injury Care

  • International Hall of Honor
  • Vietnam Veterans' War Stories Homepage

    Special Section This Month

    In Honor of St. Patrick's Day

    "Each time a person stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others...he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance."   ...Robert Francis Kennedy (1925 - 1968)

    There are ways for us to work together to start tearing down those 'mighty walls of oppression and resistance' and gain a full accountability of our POW/MIA's. Please feel free to browse through the following links to see what you can do to help.

    Important Operation Just Cause Links

    Operation Just Cause Adopt a POW Operation Just Cause Build a Page OJC Government Contact Page
    OJC Members' Message Board Operation Just Cause...for as long as it takes OJC POW/MIA Freedom Radio
    OJC Site Remembrance Award Operation Just Cause Switchboard Operation Just Cause Webring

    Feel free to print out and distribute any or all parts of "The Moonduster Chronicles". There are those individuals without access to the Internet who might enjoy reading it. Prime examples of places frequented by veterans are VFW's and VA HealthCare Facilities. We may also have 'offline' friends who would want to adopt a POW/MIA, as a group or individually, that are unaware of Operation Just Cause.

    Back issues of "The Moonduster Chronicles"
    February 1999 January 1999 December 1998 November 1998
    October 1998 September 1998 August 1998 July 1998
    June 1998 March 1998 February 1998 January 1998

    * Disclaimer *
    Submissions of original work posted in all issues of "The Moonduster Chronicles" do not necessarily represent the views of Operation Just Cause, the Operation Just Cause Staff, or its members as a whole. All comments, criticisms and points of view are welcome. Please click on the link below to send yours:
    NL@ojc.org


    "The Moonduster Chronicles"
    is updated daily to include news items, new announcements and new submissions. So be sure to bookmark this page and stop by often for the latest version of the OJC Newsletter.

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