I wanted to do something different for this Memorial Day Parade. I decided to shoot more faces of the participants than the parade itself. Thank you to all of those that fought, died, and serve/served our Country. We owe you a great debt.
Category: Military
Eric Barnes’ Heroes Walk
This is the first sign you encounter when you enter the Heroes Walk.
Each of Lorain’s fallen sons has a sign and a tribute garden which includes a bench, positioned to permit the visitor to look out over beautiful Lake Erie, and reflect.
In a flower bed just north of Settlers’ Watch, there are stones with the seal of each of this country’s Armed Forces.
Eric Barnes’ Heroes Walk Dedication
Cleveland Shoot: Soldiers/Sailors Monument
Flying Tigers Line Flight 739: 50 Year Anniversary
Flying Tigers Line Flight 739, a Lockheed L-1049H, was chartered by the United States military. Originating at Travis Air Force Base, California, the Military Transport was scheduled for fueling stops at Honolulu, Wake Island, Guam, Clark AFB and was to terminate in Saigon.
The flight arrived at Guam at 11:14 GMT with the only irregularities on the way being minor maintenance on the ignition systems of engines #1 and #3 at Honolulu, a 30 minute delay at Honolulu because of stewardess complaints of inadequate rest facilities aboard, and minor maintenace at Wake Island (discrepancies in the #’s 1 and 3 engine ignition systems). The flight departed Guam at 12:57 GMT for an IFR flight to Clark AFB, Philippine Islands with an ETA of 19:16 GMT.
This plane, a Lockheed Super Constellation, had a flight crew of 11, and 96 U.S. soldiers, including 3 South Vietnam enlisted men.
According to the Civil Aeronautics Board’s (CAB) Accident Report, “The plane disappeared 1 1/2 hours after takeoff from Guam enroute to Saigon.” And “the largest air/sea search” of that time “was initiated 5 hours after the plane’s fuel exhaustion time.” “The S/S T.L. Lenzen, a supertanker owned by Standard Oil, was in the vacinity and witnessed a vapor trail go behind a cloud,” and then, (what they thought was according to the depositions of the crew) “a covert operation due to the low flying plane.” The Accident Report continues, that the crew of the S/S T.L. Lenzen had also witnessed “a mid-air explosion at the approximate time & location of N6921C.” The Accident Report concludes, “Due to the lack of any substantiating evidence the Board is unable to state with any degree of certainty the exact fate of N6921C.”
The Department of Defense has “excluded this flight,” from it’s own criteria, which would enable these 107 names being included on the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial (The WALL) in Washington, D.C.
Adams Homer D. Private Ukon Wv; Armes James R. Sargent 1/C L.C. Mondsee Austria; Atkins Billy J. Private Black Mountain Nc; Baggett Robert H. Spec. 4/C Burlington Nc; Baks Or Bako Robert J. Sargent Elbridge Ny; Barnes Donald A. Master Sargent Granite City Il; Baxley Thomas W. Private 1/C Thomasville Ga; Bayse Richard S. Special 5/C Prince George Va; Biernacke Henry F. Master Sargent Colorado Springs Co; Bliss George W. Sargent 1/C L.c. Fort Jay Ny; Bowen James D. Private Indianapolis In; Breema Joseph F. Private Danville Va; Burns John J. Sargent 1/C San Luis Obispo Ca; Callahan John H. Sargent Hazelton Pa; Canon Larry D. Private Chino Ca; Caseldine William F. Master Sargent Dover Tn; Cox Edward Donald P. Spec. 5/C Amarillo Tx; Croft Lucius D. Sargent Augusta Ga; Curry Harold L. Master Sargent Mangum Ok; Dickey Douglas P. Spec. 5/C Alexandria La; Dixon Ernest T. Sargent Jesup Ga; Edwards James A., Private Hanceville Al; Fox Lawrence A. Spec. 4/C Canestoga Ny; Gallipeau Howard R. Jr. Master Sargent Alderwood Manor Wa; Gananca Clarence F. Jr. Sargent Renasalner Ny; Geiser John L. Sargent 1/C Granite Md; Glassman Robert R. M/ Sargent 1/C San Jose Ca; Glynn Walter Sargent Tacoma Wa; Greenleaf Roy E. Spec. 5/C Bloomfield Nm; Griffith Charles W. Private 1/C Cincinnati Oh; Grissom Sidney Lee Sargent 1/C Newburgh Mo; Haaf Douglas A. Spec. 4/C N. Syracuse Ny; Hatt Melvin L. Sargent 1/C Ft. Huachuca City Az; Henderson Donald W. Private Mt. Auburn Il; Henderson Robert N. Private Sfo Ca; Hester Lindsay K. Sargant 1/C Ft. Monroe Va; Hopkins Timothy F. Special 5/C Spokane Wa; Hoy Clinton M. Sargent Sierra Vista Az; Hunter Samuel L. Private 1/C Claflin Ks; Jarvis William R. Master Sargent Glendale Ky; Jennings John Charles Private Newell Wv; Johnston James W. Sargent Clarksville Tn; Jones John H.h. Private Columbus Ga; Jones John J. Sargent Ogden Ut, Kanisky John Sargent Haren Holland; Karibo John Altman Sargent Bellefontaine Oh; Kinnison Guy W. Spec. 5/C Kaneohe,Oahu Hi; Kissee Charles E. Spec. 4/C Stockton Ca; Lattie Jack E. Sargent Grovetown Ga; Leddy Adams S. Spec. 6/C Guam; Lehmkuhl Warren M. Sargent Columbus Ga; Mcclure Franklin D. M/ Spec. 4/C Dallas Ga; Mcentee Stanley W. Private Detroit Mi; Medwid Steven Sargent Alexandria Va; Mick Billy W. Sargent Sierra Vista Az; Morrison Tom B. Sargent Plattsmouth Ne; Myers Raymond E. Sargent 1/C Warren Az; Nichols Nicholas Jr. Sargent Seaside Ca; Oliver Roger L. Spec. 4/C Victory Wi ; Packard Jack C. Private Lodi Wi; Pardonnet Charles W. Spec. 4/C Colorado Springs Co; Pelkey Frank E. Sargent Farmington Me; Perkins Lawrence R. Private Chicago Il; Powell James A. Sargent 1/C Ft. Worth Tx ; Reinhardt Walter A. Sargent 1/C Hammond In; Rice Hubert L. Sargent 1/C Waynesville Mo ; Riggins Delbert L. Master Sargent Boise Id; Roberts Edison L. Warrant Officer Tacoma Wa ; Robinson Eddie F. Spec. 5/C Benton Ak; Roderick Leslie R. Jr. Spec. 6/C Houston Mo; Rogers Samuel Jr. Spec. 4/C Pine Bluff Ak; Saade/Salada Leslie M. Staff Sargent Erie Pa ; Saenz Edmond Sargent 1/C Lakeview Terrace Ca; Sager George E. Spec. 4/C Bergton Va ; Sargent Donald A. M/ Spec. 4/C Ossipee Nh; Sheard Andrew A. Iii Private Radner Pa ; Simola Efisio Jr. Sargent San Antonio Tx; Slocum George M. Spec. Westfield Ny ; Smith Elmer L. Spec. 5/C Louisiana Mo; Sorenson James C. Sargent Spanaway Wa ; Talbot Fred W. Spec. 4/C Salamanca Ny; Taylor James H. Spec. 4/C Olive Branch Mi; Thamy Peter Master Sargent Vallejo Ca; Thomas John A. Master Sargent Ridgeway Oh ; Thompson Clarence E. Spec. 4/C Big Spring Tx; Tranum Jack E. Master Sargent Augusta Ga ; Twitty James E. Staff Sargent Brooklyn Ny; Walcott Wallace L. Spec. 1/C Tacoma Wa ; *Walker Ross C. Sargent 1/C Pickens Sc; Wedge Leonard J. Spec. 4/C Millnocket Me ; Wendell John C. Sargent 1/C San Antonio Tx; Williams Albert F. Sargent 1/C Tacoma Wa ; Wong James Spec. 5/C Lahaina, Maui Hi
Above are the names of the troops that were on the plane, with the soldiers from Ohio in boldface. These men have been denied their rightful place of honor on the wall.
This website was set up by the daughter of George Michael Nau, a US Navy and Civilian Flight Engineer, who was one of the 107 that disappeared.
There are two men whose names are not in the list above.
Two soldiers who weren’t able to make that flight.
One of those soldiers was Lorainite Dan Asensio.
Due to problems with their passports, he and another soldier were held up and were unable to accompany their fellow soldiers when they departed Travis Air Force Base.
All aboard this plane are not officially listed as Killed In Action, Missing In Action or Prisoners Of War by the Department of Defense.
I won’t claim to know why the government is denying these men their rightful place on the Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., but I do want to point out two facts: The plane disappeared on March 16, 1962. According to another website, the first U.S. troops entered Vietnam in March 1965.
Three years difference, between when the Lockheed was supposed to land, and the ‘official’ entrance of U.S. troops into this conflict.
What was the proposed mission of these men? Had they actually completed their journey, could there have been a difference in the outcome of the war?
We’ll never know, but I do think that the government should rethink their position on recognizing these soldiers.
On this Memorial Day, 2008, please take a moment to say a prayer of ‘Thanks’ for all the soldiers who have fought for our Country.
Say a prayer for all of our soldiers deployed throughout the world, to keep them out of harm’s way, so that we can continue to enjoy the freedoms that we have.
And if you’re lucky enough to come face-to-face with one of our Country’s finest, take a second and thank them personally, for their dedication and effort.
We ALL truly appreciate it.
(A huge ‘Thank You’ to Mr. Asensio for the information above, and for his commitment to our country. )
March 15, 2012 Update: The above post was copied in its entirety and posted on another blog. While there has been a lot of discussion there, I’d like to reprint some of the info that has been shared:
…the ‘rules’ governing Additions to the VN Memorial Wall. While somewhat complex, they are broken down into three (3) general scenarios:
1. Anyone who dies – regardless of cause – on foreign soil within South Vietnam, North Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia. This also includes boundaries that stretch a few miles out into the South China Sea that are designated war-zone. Note the word ‘few’.
2. Deaths that occur outside of the war-zone area, but are attributable to events that occurred there. These are usually individuals evacuted out due to wounds, illnesses, accidents, etc – and subsequently died shortly thereafter.
3. Individuals that died while “going to, or returning from” a specific war-related MISSION. This change was made primarily for Pilots/Crew who crashed after a NVN bombing raid in Thailand…which is outside of the war-zone boundaries established.
Based on various documents, no argument can be made that this crash occurred within the few miles of SVN…no flotsam was ever found.
However, a theoretical argument could be made that these soldiers were ‘going to’ SVN on a specific war-related mission (as opposed to being new replacements). The CAB report done does reference that they were Communications Specialists – a group being sent there for a critical purpose of the war.
The problem is that of all of the Personnel Files obtained (about 35 so far) – ALL have been excised of any training received prior to this crash. Without those records, I cannot determine in what communications genre they were trained in, what Army or MACV Unit they were to be assigned to once there, or the specific reason/mission they were to perform.
Also, this:
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund receives numerous requests each year from individuals who desire to have particular names placed on the Memorial. While the Memorial Fund finances the name additions to The Wall, we do not determine whose names are to be inscribed. It is the Department of Defense that makes these difficult and often very technical decisions. Our organization does not have the authority to overrule those who adjudicate these matters.
Neither victims of Agent Orange nor PTSD-induced suicides fit the parameters for inclusion on The Wall. (Click here for a brief summary of the criteria and sources for names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial).
We are often asked to add a name that DOD has not approved. Much emotion has surrounded the question of names not included on the list. Many families whose sons were taken from them in service during the Vietnam era but in other areas, as well as those whose loved ones died consequent to their return from the war (casualties of Agent Orange or PTSD-induced suicide), have expressed great disappointment that their loves ones’ name was not on the Memorial. Such cases have our deepest sympathy and respect, yet as they do not fit the parameters as described above, these names cannot be added to the Memorial.
However, The Memorial Fund honors those who have died as a result of the Vietnam War, but do not meet the requirements for inclusion on The Wall with its In Memory program. There is a plaque by the wall to honor these individuals as well as a ceremony to remember them. Honor Roll books listing all of the names honored by the plaque are available to those who participate in the program. Call us at 202-393-0090 to learn about the In Memory program.
For further explanation of the parameters for inclusion and to submit a request, please contact the relevant service branch below:
ARMY AIR FORCE
Casualty and Mortuary Affairs Operations Center1600 Spearhead Division Avenue, Dept. 450ATTN: PDC-PFort Knox, Kentucky 40121VOX: 502-613-8225 Headquarters Air Force Personnel Center
Missing Persons Branch
550 C. Street West, Suite 14
Randolph AFB, Texas 78150-4716
Fax: 210-565-3805
MARINE NAVY
Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps
Manpower and Reserve Affairs, MRC
3280 Russell Road
Quantico, VA 22134-5103
Fax: 703-784-9823 or 703-784-4134 Navy Personnel Command
Casualty Assistance Branch (PERS-621P
5720 Integrity Drive
Millington, TN 38055-6210
Fax: 901-874-6654
Hope this has been helpful, The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
Lastly, this piece of news: Did you know, March 16, 1962 fell on a Friday. March 16, 2012 also falls on a Friday. 1:30 AM Friday the 16th will mark 50 years since a merchant ship witnessed a bright flash in the sky where the missing aircraft was on course between Guam and Clark AF Base in the Philippines.
Tribute To Admiral E.J. King
Memorial Day Parade, Lorain 2011
I put together a slide show of today’s Memorial Day Parade, but I wanted to highlight 5 pics that really jumped out at me of the 50+ that I took today, which I’ll comment on below. I want to thank all the Veteran’s out there for their time and service. Though I didn’t serve in our great nation’s military, I wear the Army shirt and hat for you, and for my family that has served or is currently serving. I got a few smiles, nods and waves today, probably for my clothes.
And to all that are reading this today, please remind your sons and grandsons to remove their hats and caps when the American flag is being presented by a Color Guard.
The first Color Guard in the Parade.
Lorain High ROTC
Michael Demich, World War II Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient
Disabled American Veterans
The Patriotic
Veteran’s Day
Thanks again to all of the veteran’s out there, for giving us the freedoms that we have. We truly appreciate your service and your sacrifice.
— Mark
Katie Couric, Charlie Gibson, Brian Williams and a tough old U.S. Marine Sergeant were captured by terrorists in Iraq . The leader of the terrorists told them he’d grant each of them one last request before they were beheaded and dragged naked through the streets.
Katie Couric said, “Well, I’m a Southerner, so I’d like one last plate of fried chicken.”
The leader nodded to an underling who left and returned with the chicken. Couric ate it all and said, “Now I can die content.”
Charlie Gibson said, “I’m living in New York , so I’d like to hear the song, The Moon and Me, one last time.” The terrorist leader nodded to another terrorist who had studied the Western world and knew the music. He returned with some rag-tag musicians and played the song.
Gibson was satisfied.
Brian Williams said, “I’m a reporter to the end. I want to take out my tape recorder and describe the scene here and what’s about to happen. Maybe, someday, someone will hear it and know that I was on the job till the end.” The leader directed an aide to hand over the tape recorder and Williams dictated his comments.
He then said, “Now I can die happy.”
The leader turned and asked, “And now, Mr.. U.S. Marine, what is your final wish?”
“Kick me in the ass,” said the Marine..
“What?” asked the leader, “Will you mock us in your last hour?”
“No, I’m NOT kidding. I want you to kick me in the ass,” insisted the Marine.
So the leader shoved him into the yard and kicked him in the ass.
The Marine went sprawling, but rolled to his knees, pulled a 9 mm pistol from inside his cammies and shot the leader dead.
In the resulting confusion, he emptied his sidearm on six terrorists, then with his knife he slashed the throat of one, and with an AK-47, which he took from one of the already dead terrorists, sprayed the rest of the terrorists killing another 11.
In a flash, all of them were either dead or fleeing for their lives.
As the Marine was untying Couric, Gibson, and Williams, they asked him, “Why didn’t you just shoot them all in the first place? Why did you ask him to kick you in the ass?”
“What?” replied the Marine, ‘and have you three a**holes report that I was the aggressor…..?’
Semper Fi!
A Different Christmas Poem
A Huge “Thank You” to Michael Cervantes for forwarding this, and for his time served in Iraq and in the U.S. military.
The embers glowed softly, and in their dim light,
I gazed round the room and I cherished the sight.
My wife was asleep, her head on my chest,
My daughter beside me, angelic in rest.
Outside the snow fell, a blanket of white,
Transforming the yard to a winter delight.
The sparkling lights in the tree I believe,
Completed the magic that was Christmas Eve.
My eyelids were heavy, my breathing was deep,
Secure and surrounded by love I would sleep.
In perfect contentment, or so it would seem,
So I slumbered, perhaps I started to dream.
The sound wasn’t loud, and it wasn’t too near,
But I opened my eyes when it tickled my ear.
Perhaps just a cough, I didn’t quite know,
Then the sure sound of footsteps outside in the snow.
My soul gave a tremble, I struggled to hear,
And I crept to the door just to see who was near.
Standing out in the cold and the dark of the night,
A lone figure stood, his face weary and tight.
A soldier, I puzzled, some twenty years old,
Perhaps a Marine, huddled here in the cold.
Alone in the dark, he looked up and smiled,
Standing watch over me, and my wife and my child.
What are you doing?” I asked without fear,
“Come in this moment, it’s freezing out here!
Put down your pack, brush the snow from your sleeve,
You should be at home on a cold Christmas Eve!”
For barely a moment I saw his eyes shift,
Away from the cold and the snow blown in drifts..
To the window that danced with a warm fire’s light
Then he sighed and he said “Its really alright,
I’m out here by choice. I’m here every night.”
“It’s my duty to stand at the front of the line,
That separates you from the darkest of times.
No one had to ask or beg or implore me,
I’m proud to stand here like my fathers before me.
My Gramps died at ‘ Pearl on a day in December,”
Then he sighed, “That’s a Christmas ‘Gram always remembers..”
My dad stood his watch in the jungles of ‘ Nam’,
And now it is my turn and so, here I am.
I’ve not seen my own son in more than a while,
But my wife sends me pictures, he’s sure got her smile.
Then he bent and he carefully pulled from his bag,
The red, white, and blue… an American flag.
I can live through the cold and the being alone,
Away from my family, my house and my home.
I can stand at my post through the rain and the sleet,
I can sleep in a foxhole with little to eat.
I can carry the weight of killing another,
Or lay down my life with my sister and brother..
Who stand at the front against any and all,
To ensure for all time that this flag will not fall.”
” So go back inside,” he said, “harbor no fright,
Your family is waiting and I’ll be all right.”
“But isn’t there something I can do, at the least,
“Give you money,” I asked, “or prepare ou a feast?
It seems all too little for all that you’ve done,
For being away from your wife and your son.”
Then his eye welled a tear that held no regret,
“Just tell us you love us, and never forget.
To fight for our rights back at home while we’re gone,
To stand your own watch, no matter how long.
For when we come home, either standing or dead,
To know you remember we fought and we bled.
Is payment enough, and with that we will trust,
That we mattered to you as you mattered to us.”
Veteran’s Day
When I wrote this, I had no idea that it would be one of the most ‘hit’ articles here. It was picked up by another blog in its entirety. A woman whose uncle was on the plane motivated me to write to Senators John Boehner and George Voinovich, neither of them felt the need to even respond with a form email or anything (thanks for the representation, Gentlemen).
Once again, a huge THANK YOU! to our Veterans. We wouldn’t have the freedoms we do without you brave men and women. Thanks to my Uncles and my Dad. Thanks to my brother, John, who was a Marine. Thanks to my sister-in-law, Constance Dees, and her hubby, Jon, who are both active military, stationed at Fort Bragg, NC. Thanks to Michael Cervantes, who was in Operation Desert Storm. Thanks to John Uptmor, whom I work with, who was in Afghanistan within the last year with the Army. Thanks to Glenn Johnson, who’s on his way to Afghanistan (God watch over you). And please remember our local heroes, Airman 1st Class Eric Barnes, and Army Sgt. Bruce Horner.
Lorain County Photographer's Blog 