Veterans
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COLUMBIA, S.C. – Army Pvt. Joseph B. Henry has graduated from basic combat training at Fort Jackson, Columbia, S.C.
During the nine weeks of training, the soldier studied the Army mission, history, tradition and core values, physical fitness, and received instruction and practice in basic combat skills, military weapons, chemical warfare and bayonet training, drill and ceremony, marching, rifle marksmanship, armed and unarmed combat, map reading, field tactics, military courtesy, military justice system, basic first aid, foot marches, and field training exercises.
Henry is the son of Glenn W. Henry of Upper Lake and Debby A. Kubas of Nice.
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SAN ANTONIO – Air Force Airman Christopher L. Rice has graduated from basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas.
During the six weeks of training, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization, and military customs and courtesies; performed drill and ceremony marches, and received physical training, rifle marksmanship, field training exercises, and special training in human relations.
In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree through the Community College of the Air Force.
He is the son of Karen Samples of Kelseyville, and the grandson of Doyn Bell of Rio Linda.
Rice is a 2000 graduate of Kelseyville High School.
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The potluck is at 6 p.m., with the meeting at 7 p.m.
The group will meet at its usual location, at Saint Mary Immaculate Parish Hall, 801 North Main St., Lakeport.
May will be a month packed with numerous activities for the chapter, which started the National Military Appreciation Month on May 1 with an appearance at the Board of Supervisors meeting. Other events this month include the Pasta Feast, Operation Tango Mike support, Memorial Day Parade participation, Avenue of the Flags at Hartley Cemetery and their ever-successful poppy sales.
All Vietnam-era veterans, veterans of all eras, their families and friends, and members of the general public are all cordially welcome.
For more information contact George Dorner, 274-5698, or email
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LAKE COUNTY – The latest Operation Tango Mike packing party was notable for the flag we've received from our marines in Iraq, and the number of "civilian" packers.
The usual hard core of Vietnam Veteran of America packers was augmented by volunteers from the community. Notable among them was Tim Salisbury, whose marine son, Denny, is recovering from wounds in a Qatar hospital. Other community volunteers were Tamara Newby, Jess and Erin Woodward, Vic and Jackie Morgan, Bobbi Chambliss, Ed Moore, Bill Becker, Paula Bryant, Carol Whittaker and Robert Angle.
The VVA chapter volunteers were thick on the ground. Besides this author, there were Ginny Craven, Dean Gotham, Genevieve Snow, Dustin Angle, Harry Graves, Skip Hulet, Suzi and Frank Parker, Patty and Dave Collins, Ken Leavitt, Phyllis and Barnett Hoffman and Larry Mick.
Many hands made a fast easy packing party. We whipped out 46 boxes; counting interim shipments of 10 boxes since our Easter shipment, we have shipped another 56 boxes of goodies to the troops.
Next shipping will be end of June. We're taking a break for a fund raising Pasta Feast on Saturday, May 12th, from 4 to 8 p.m.
We're still looking for contributions for next shipment, which will celebrate the Fourth of July. We now have donation bins throughout the county. Here's where you can look for them.
– All three Hardester's Markets: on Highway 29 in Middletown, in Hidden Valley at 29843 Hartman Road, and at 16295 Highway 175 on Cobb Mountain.
– Riviera Foods at 9730 Soda Bay Road.
– In Kelseyville, DJs Pizza, 5285 State Street .
– Lakeport: Mackey Tires and Spas, 2102 South Main Street; The Ink Spot, 95 Third Street; Kerrie's Quilting; 1853 North High Street; The Iron Worker Gym, 325 Twentieth Street.
– Upper Lake: Country Carpets, 9465 Main Street; Judy's Junction, 375 East Highway 20.
– Nice: Sentry Market, 2265 East Highway 20.
– Lucerne: Lakeview Market, 6068 East Highway 20.
– Clearlake Oaks: Nostalgia, 12615 East Highway 20; Tower Mart #161, 12583 East Highway 20.
– Clearlake: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2237, 3980 Veterans Lane; American Legion Post 437; 14770 Austin Road; Foods, Etc., 15290 Lakeshore Drive.
– Spring Valley: Russ' Valley Pantry, 1578 New Long Valley Road.
Checks or money orders are most welcome, and can be tax deductible. Mail to P. O. Box 1313, Lakeport, CA 95453-1313. Cash donations may be given to Ginny Craven. Her cell phone is 707-349-2838. She can also give out further information about Tango Mike, and can sign up volunteers on the phone tree for the next packing party. Please note we can put to work volunteers of all ages and physical capabilities.
E-mail George Dorner at
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At last, a little breather where we can catch up with some overdue business ... such as thanking all whom we can for their generosity. We here at Operation Tango Mike have become so involved in sending comfort parcels to the troops we are seriously delinquent in honoring those whose donations of money and goods made it possible.
In December, the effort was supported by originator Ginny Craven, Dean Gotham, Michael Kirch, Nancy Rhoades, Frank and Suzi Parker, Mendo-Lake Urology in Ukiah, this author, and CLAY, the youth group from Nice's Baptist Church. Chapter 951 of Vietnam Veterans of America began the support that turned into sponsorship.
In January, Michael Kirch, Nancy Rhoades, Ginny Craven, Dean Gotham, Suzi and Frank Parker, CLAY, and Chapter 951 again donated. They were joined by Sharon Leuzinger, Skip Hulet, Kirk MacDonald, the Myers family (Wayne, Tammy and Joe), Valerie Stewart, Woody and Sandy Hughes, Tamara Newby, John and Naomi Cain, Patricia Larson and R. J. Tucker. Cheri Holden of Watershed Books came through. Most importantly, the United Veterans Council not only contributed to our cause; its members returned to their veterans organizations with the aim of enlisting every one of their groups in the effort.
In February, Michael Kirch, Frank Parker, and Suzi Parker chipped in once again. Other individual contributors were Jess Combs, Bob Berkowitz, Bill Combs, Albert Carter, John Beavers, Ron Melville, Bob and Kathy Roberts, Mary Ann Nash, Donna Christopher, Michael and Ellen Hennig, Mark and Esther Otte, Ronnie and Janeane Bogner, Bob Pearce and Don Whitney. Business donors increased, with contributions from Lynn Fegan of Catfish Books, Blue Water Realty, and EJ's Video (now Pearadise Video). American Legion Post #194, Pearl Harbor Survivors, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #2337 supported their younger comrades in arms. The Kelseyville Lions Club came through. At Kelseyville Elementary School, Mrs. Brown, Mr. McLaren, Ms Kies and Mrs. Ayers rallied their third grade classes to create a tremendous outpouring of notes and drawings to cheer up the troops.
For March, Dean Gotham, Frank and Suzi Parker, Bob Pearce, and this author were repeat donors. Other individual benefactors included Gary Lewis, Frances Crosby, Mark Lockhart, Barbara Toy, Wendy White, Jacole Morgan, Jewell "Dede" Scovell, Richard Birk, and James and Paula Connors. Disabled American Veterans Post #83 contributed to our effort. Businesses and organizations helped us tremendously – Tango Mike to Mendo-Mill Home Center and Lumber Co., Loeb's Ink Spot, Konocti Rod and Gun Club, the Clearlake Oaks-Glenhaven Business Association, Mendo-Lake Office Products and Konocti Vista Casino. The Interact Club (Student Rotary) of Middletown High School and Terrace School fifth graders also contributed.
We would also like to thank those donors who remain anonymous through chance or design. We had pass-the-hat situations, such as the Lucerne Town Hall Meeting and such. We've also had those who are too modest to admit their gifts. Regardless, whether you could give $1,000 or a dollar, some goods, magazines, books, or handwritten notes, we thank you all very much for supporting Americans in harm's way.
Finally, if we've skipped anyone, please accept our apology. We are human, and we may err, but we are still grateful.
George J. Dorner is a member of Operation Tango Mike.
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Airman Ben Barker of Kelseyville sent a wonderful message to Operation Tango Mike! He has received the care packages sent to him. Admittedly, we sent more than he needs alone. Ben was quick to say that though we sent more than he needs, the 60-man team was really excited to see his windfall at mail call.
Naturally, Ben is sharing all that was sent his way. Ben also said that everything that is taken for granted at home is a delicacy in Iraq. You know they will savor the goodies sent to them.
Ben is typical of our fine upstanding military men and women. Although he was delighted to receive what we sent, he has buddies deployed in the Army and is concerned for them. He asked if he might send their information to us in order for them to receive support. Ben is putting his concern for others above that for himself.
Ben said he really enjoyed all of the letters he received most of all and is working on responses. Once again, proof that correspondence is great for morale.
Keep up the great work. Together, we are doing great things for our troops.
Tango Mike!
Editor's note: Ginny Craven is leading the Tango Mike effort in Lake County, which collects donations to send care packages to troops overseas. Chapter 951of Vietnam Veterans of America will accept monetary donations for Craven at P.O. Box 1313, Lakeport, CA 95453. Please note if that donation is for Craven and Tango Mike, and whether you wish a receipt for tax purposes. Goods donated can be received by a member of VVA, Hugh Mackey, at his business, Mackey Tires and Spas, at 2101 S. Main St., Lakeport. Please call him first at 263-0277 to arrange your drop off. Craven may be reached at 349-2838.
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The 2nd Marine Division and the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing are detailed to fight in the Caribbean, South America, the Mediterranean, and Africa. In the Sixties, that meant torpid inaction. Because of the lassitude of my peacetime service, I seldom mention my enlistment in the Marines.
I decided to email them, through their commanding officer, with the intention of boosting their morale. The exchange proved interesting enough. I asked if I could reprint it. The reply was: “Please, post whatever you like ... I always observe Operational Security in my e-mails, so there's nothing sensitive in there. Thank you much for the heads-up!”
I have erred, in this respect, on the side of caution. Besides editing out anything that might be helpful to their foes or boring to the reader, I have declined to rerun their photos for security reasons.
Feb. 16
Captain Allen (sir),
I served four years in your unit once upon a time. However, I'm not here to bore you with claims of how the old Corps was better. We're just ...o lder.
How much older? Well, let's just note that when I checked into Cherry Point, they issued me a shiny new M14 to replace the M1 Garand I'd carried through Parris Island. There were still a couple of prop driven Corsairs on the Cheerless Point flight line, and one of the last flying sergeants. This grizzled old contemporary of Pappy Boyington was generally held in awe. Generally, though not totally, as the following tale will show.
The sarge was in the landing pattern returning from a training flight on a belated Friday afternoon, when a lieutenant colonel from his unit tried to cut in and usurp the sarge's slot. The sarge refused the wave off and landed on time. He was shucking his flight suit in the ready room, probably dreaming about cold beer at the staff NCO club, when the light colonel stormed in, enraged. He threw a tantrum and chewed the sarge out like he was the rawest boot. Finally, the light colonel worked himself up to scream, "Don't you know who I am?" At this point, the sergeant picked up the ready room phone, dialed the commanding general, addressed him by first name, then said, "There's a lieutenant colonel down here who doesn't know who he is. I think he needs some command guidance." He then handed the phone to the light colonel. When the sarge left the ready room, the colonel was still braced and saying an occasional, "Yes sir. No sir," into the phone.
It seems that once upon a time, in the really old corps, a certain second lieutenant was shown the ropes by a certain platoon sergeant ... This is a true story. Aren't all sea stories? And some day, you and your troopers will have your own sea stories.
So what's the point of this email? It's that, generation after generation, Americans serve their country, and that those of us who preceded you respect and support those of you walking in our boot steps.
Keep well, Captain. I wish you and your troops the best of luck. And if you should care to share any or all of this email with your troops, I'd feel honored ... – George
Feb. 17
George,
Thank you very much for e-mailing! I showed your e-mail to my Intel Chief, MSgt Westgate, and she got a kick out of it. I'm printing it right now and am going to share it with my Marines at turnover ... It will certainly motivate them to hear from an "old salt" such as yourself.
Here at Al Asad, Corsairs have given way to Hornets, Harriers, and Cobras, but you won't be surprised to learn that the mission is still the same ... Putting warheads on foreheads in support of the grunts on the ground.
Great to hear from you! Please write back when you can ... We remain proud to serve you. – James
Feb. 17
Captain Allen,
I'd forgotten what military punctuality is like. I'd resigned myself to a week or so's wait for a reply, until you found time between crises.
I do hope the sea story cheers up the troops. A little laughter can help morale. Then, too, a sense of continuity can instill some more pride – not that Marines are short on that commodity. I would like to add that the once green second lieutenant and young sergeant in my story were serving under Smedley Butler ... it's a long green line you stand in, captain, stretching back to the decks of the Bonhomme Richard.
At any rate, I could send more sea stories if your troops enjoy them. Just keep in mind the old joke about the difference between fairy tales and sea stories. A fairy tale begins, "Once upon a time ..." A sea story begins, "Now this is no bull ..."
Write if you have a chance. This antique salt enjoyed the email.
That my last brought smiles to your troops delights me. – George
Feb. 20
George,
Your e-mail definitely helped cheer up the young Marines, and gave my senior sergeants a chuckle or two also. Thanks! Please feel free to keep them coming!
Sorry for not getting back with you sooner ... Been a very busy day today. You know how it is – we're either bored out of our minds, or going 150 miles per hour – no room in between!
SEMPER FI, and we hope to hear from you soon! – James
Feb. 25
Captain Allen,
I must apologize for for my lack of punctuality. My excuse – much too feeble to stand up at a captain's mast – is that I'm deeply into the final rewrite of my upcoming novel. Still, a change is good as a break. So, time for another sea story, and this is no bull.
A phenomenon now gone is the career private. A phenomenon probably still present is the junk on the bunk inspection, when everything a Marine owns is inspected. Which sets the scene for another tale of the old corps.
There was a professional private working the warehouse while in H&HS-2. He was a quiet amiable type who was willing to rise to any rank, so long as it didn't involve any responsibility. Put corporal stripes on him, and he promptly got himself busted. Let's call him Lance Corporal Mo.
The commanding officer called for a junk on the bunk the day after payday. The griping was general, prolonged and fervent. It didn't slow the frantic preparation. Kiwi polish gleamed diamond hard on boots and shoes. Brasso flowed. Nail clippers bit off Irish pennants. Rulers were brandished as the sewing kit was carefully placed exactly one quarter inch from the razor, and all clothing was meticulously folded to show the exact creases specified, etcetera, etcetera, ad nauseam.
Mo watched us bemusedly for a while, then left for the slop chute. He stumbled back in after closing the enlisted club, reeking of beer, and fell onto his bunk.
Came reveille, and we all rose from our pallets on the floor and prepared to watch Mo trundled off to the brig.
Mo arose, and his hands mechanically made his bunk. He then opened his footlocker, and pulled out a spare blanket with a complete issue of uniforms sewn on it. He tucked this on his cot. He then whipped out a foot locker with a perfect display of web gear. His spare footlocker went in the mop room. After a quick pass through the shower, and a shave with a spare razor he hid in the head, he pulled on a brand new dress uniform out of his meticulous wall locker just in time to line up with the rest of us.
We boots were highly impressed. We wondered where we could get one of those displays. We figured it would be a treat to sleep in an actual bunk the night before inspection.
The CO and First Sergeant made the rounds. The First Shirt's extra duty roster on his clipboard grew long. We could see him racking his brain for extra crap details.
They came to Mo's cubicle. The CO gimlet-eyed the layout of Mo's bunk mate, and the First Shirt had another name on his not so little list. Then the CO scrutinized Mo's layout. Once. Twice. Three times. He finally told his NCO, "Mark this man outstanding."
This was the first "outstanding" of the inspection, and the First Sergeant decided to make Mo's setup an example. "This is perfectly folded," he blared, and grabbed for Mo's dress shirt. Imagine his reaction when he found himself in a tug of war with a top bunk.
By the third day after that, we could watch the brig line in the chow hall and see Mo was a trustee. He came back to us as Private Mo, and retired soon thereafter.
Hope you enjoyed the story.
From the rear ranks of the old Corps, George.
March 1
George,
Oh my goodness ... That actually made me laugh out loud. Private Mo's plan was brilliant, I have to admit – brilliant except for that one fatal flaw.
I will be reading this to the Marines tonight ... And yes, we still do junk-on-the-bunk, so this will definitely inspire some laughter. (Hopefully it won't give any of them any bright ideas, however ...)
Sorry for the delayed response – it's been a hellacious week here. But thanks much for writing – we always enjoy hearing from you.– James
March 15
Captain Allen,
Please pardon the lapse of time. Bronchitis has staggered me, my duties to Vietnam Veterans of America have busied me, and I have been very active in instigating more comfort parcels for the troopers in Iraq and Afghanistan.
No sea story this time. I have something of serious import for you and your Marines.
Pardon me if I do link it to something from my time, though.
In my day, some poor snuffy would come to the end of his hitch, having progressed from $78 per month as a Private to $200 or so. The reenlistment NCO would then offer another stripe and a shipping over bonus of $2,000 or so. If you were young, and had always been poor, this could look pretty good. The troopie would sign, collect the two grand (minus withholding), and say, Wow! I could have a new car. From there, it would be, I deserve the best. Soon, we would see a brand new Corporal driving a spendy new Cadillac.
The reenlistment Cadillac story never had a happy ending. The payments were too much to carry, orders for a hardship post arrived, the wife got teed off and left because the Caddy was more important than she, the local law wrote serious tickets, the Corporal got busted ... mix and match. I don't think any poor unlucky so and such got the full load, but it might have happened.
I mention this story because your younger troops are going to be tempted with the modern version of the reenlistment Caddy. When they get back to the States and muster out, they are going to be pressured to sign away their future VA benefits for a payout of about $30,000. We have heard of instances where they were told they would have to stick around an extra three or four days to get their VA benefits. Anxious to see their families, and enticed by money, some are signing away benefits worth many times $30,000.
If I met your plane and tried this scam, they'd kick my butt under the jailhouse – and I'd deserve it. A government certified shoddy hustler is still a shoddy hustler – but unfortunately an unjailed one.
Please warn your troops about this outrageous scam. In fact, you might want to spread the word as widely as possible.
I'll try to send a sea story next time. In the meantime, walk tall and hang tough.
Best wishes, George
March 16
George,
Thanks for the e-mail, and you raise a very good point – accumulated disposable income is all TOO disposable. We have counseled our Marines on that, and our NCOs are going to be watching very closely.
Not sure if I mentioned it earlier, but we got your package – thank you very much! It is much appreciated and definitely brightened my Marines' day.
I hope that bronchitis clears up ... take care, and thanks again! – James
March 21
Captain Allen, sir,
I thought I might share a personal experience about the Old Corps with you instead of a sea story.
It seems we got orders to pack our gear and board a C130 as the Immediate Imagery Interpretation Center. Destination: Santo Domingo. It seems that a Dominican election had just ended and the losers challenged the winners to gun court.
We (yes, our own unit, Wing G2) landed there right after the Airborne had held hands to accomplish their mission. Funny little story, this – big tough Maxwell House boys holding hands. It happened like this.
82nd Airborne lands at the airfield. Of course, they didn't ask the Marines already there for help. They don't need help from no stinkin' Marines.
Instead, they went into a group hug or conference or huddle or something when they realized everybody forgot the maps. Eventually, they found one of them who actually knew his way around. They then put their lone guide up front. It was then getting very dark, so he broke out his flashlight. He reached his other hand back to the troop in back of him, who reached his hand back, etc. So off goes this daisy chain of paratroops, trudging along a thousand strong(!) behind a single shaky PFC wondering when some Dominican is going to shoot him.
At every intersection, the tail end Charlies of the column get posted to guard that intersection. Happily for them, there turns out to be enough of them to guard every intersection between the airfield and the embassy.
Comes daylight, it becomes apparent they had accidentally cut the two feuding sides off from one another. History books now credit them with a brilliant move that defused the situation, minimized bloodshed, and all that good stuff. Truth of the matter is--everybody forgot the maps and they got lucky.
Oh, well, sometimes it's better to be lucky than smart.
I know you guys are smart. Stay lucky, now, okay.
George, the old saltine
March 23
George,
That story – while not surprising – was hilarious. Wow ... Go figure. Some things never change.
Thanks for the laugh and the "story behind the story." Take care, and OORAH ... – James
There it rests at present. It's been fun to do and I've helped cheer some of our troops from the dry comfort of my computer's chair. If you want to do the same, go to www.anysoldier.com. Better yet, sit down and do this the old fashioned way, with pen and paper. A little effort and thought from you can make a huge difference in a trooper's life.
E-mail George Dorner at
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What does it mean to become a military veteran?
To soldier means you have chosen to follow the ancient way of the warrior. You have shown your willingness to die for your society. More importantly, you are willing to kill to defend your family and community. You make tremendous physical, mental, moral, psychological, and spiritual sacrifices for the common good.
The United States was founded by veterans. When they wrote our basic law, they designed a system that made it difficult to go to war but insured the full force of our society behind any war effort. This, though our weakling nation was closely surrounded by enemies – the British, the Spanish, the native American tribes.
Implicit in this social contract was restitution for the sacrifices of the veteran. The officers of the Revolutionary Army formed the first American veterans society for just this purpose. The Society of the Cincinnati, in its establishing principles, stated, "In order to form funds that may ... assist the unfortunate, each officer will deliver to the treasurer ... one month's pay ... the interest only of which ... to be appropriated for the unfortunate members, or their widows and orphans ..."
These same officers became prominent in the new government; indeed, George Washington headed the Society as president general before, during, and after his presidency of the United States.
Revolutionary veterans applied to Congress for pensions, which were generally granted. Congress also granted land to veterans and their survivors.
This country, then, was founded upon the principle that a veteran deserved compensation.
George Dorner is a Vietnam veteran and Lake County resident. This is the first in a series of columns on American military issues from a veteran's point of view. E-mail Dorner at
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LAKEPORT – Army Pvt. Jacob A. Franckiewicz has deployed to the Iraqi theater of operations to support the mission of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The soldier is a member of the 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, the "Black Lions", 4th Infantry Combat Brigade, 1st Infantry Division based at Fort Riley, Junction City, Kan.
The Black Lions, activated in 2006, are one of the Army's newest modular infantry brigade combat teams.
In preparation toward the Black Lions' deployment to a combat environment, the battalion soldiers completed a demanding four-week collective training density at Fort Irwin.
Operation Iraqi Freedom is the official name given to military operations involving members of the U.S. armed forces and coalition forces participating in efforts to free and secure Iraq.
Mission objectives focus on force protection, peacekeeping, stabilization, security and counter-insurgency operations as the Iraqi transitional governing bodies assume full sovereign powers to govern the peoples of Iraq.
Members from all branches of the U.S. military and multinational forces are also assisting in rebuilding Iraq's economic and governmental infrastructure, and training and preparing Iraqi military and security forces to assume full authority and responsibility in defending and preserving Iraq's sovereignty and independence as a democracy.
Franckiewicz is an infantryman with one year of military service.
He is the son of Karen M. Foster and stepson of Jerry Puett of Lakeport.
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