| 2009 Sep-Oct |
MEDEVAC
15th MED\15th FSB
Mike Bodnar
13010 N Lakeforest Drive
Sun City, AZ 85351-3250
(623)972-4395
e-mail: mbodnar27@juno.com
Web site: http://15thmedassociation.com
I got a telephone call from '69-'70 MEDEVAC PSG L. Don
BARTON, who also lives in AZ. He mentioned that his wife, who
was also an Army vet, recently-and tragically-died. If you
want to contact Don, his e-mail is: <mudmedic70@hotmail.com>.
You can encourage Don to come out to the 2010 Reunion.
Don was an E-7 Combat Medic in A 1-5 Cav in '69 at the same
time that I was in C 2-7 Cav, before we converged in MEDEVAC
in Jan. '70. I found it hard to believe that an E-7 would be
a Medic out in the field-not just working in the Bn. Aid
Station, but he said that he had marvelled many doing that.
Coincidentally, one of my platoon sergeants in 1st Plt., C 2-
7 Cav '69, Mark SMITH, had been in A 1-5 Cav on his first
tour, 1967 to Tet '68, and when Combat Medic Charles C.
HAGEMEISTER earned the CMOH, 20 March 67.
Webmaster\past president 2003-2006 15th MED Association
Murray GIBBS, MEDEVAC '67-'68, <gunnermadmur@neo.rr.com>
writes, "Greeting 15th MED Members, I just recently found out
that one of our members died last month on June 23rd, 2009.
His funeral was held on July 1st, 2009. Richard 'Tiny' MELLON
will be remembered and missed. He was very active at all the
Reunions since 2003 where we met him. We gave a nick name to
him at the 2003 Reunion, 'TINY.' It was great to listen to
him talk and tell stories. He was very liked by all the
members. He was our auctioneer at the 2004 Reunion and he
was good at it. We have pictures of him from some of the
Reunions, and at the 2006 Reunion we took pictures of him
dancing with other members and the band leader."
Murray says that photos of "Tiny," and his obituary, are
linked on the Webpage, July Newsletter. Here is the MELLON
family's address and phone number: The MELLON Family, 1765
Bay St., Taunton, MA 02780 Phone: 508-822-0904. E-mail:
<mellonco@msn.com>.
E-mail from MEDEVAC gunner\Assn. past president Jim CALIBRO:
"By now most of you have heard that Tiny passed away toward
the end of June. His funeral was July 1. We didn't know of
Tiny's passing until Velma & Mike [SMITH] called to check on
them Sunday morning. Mike SMITH attached a copy of the
obituary to this e-mail for those of you that didn't get the
info.
"I spoke to Dorthy, Sunday morning. She said, 'Tiny was in
good spirits up until he passed away.' She also informed me
that over 300 people attended his funeral.
"Dorthy said, 'He had a lot of friends, and loved us all.
Tiny put up a good fight until his kidneys failed him.'
"I first met Tiny in 2003 when we held our Reunion in
Orlando. That was his first Reunion. We immediately became
friends and remained good friends over the years. I have a
lot of fond memories of Tiny. He was very humorless and kept
us laughing like we were still 19 & 20 years old. I will miss
him, he's gone but will never be forgotten. My minister
commented his legacy remains in the form of freedom and his
great friends. Jim."
On Monday, July 27, 2009, '69-'70 MEDEVAC gunner, David
PARKS, was hospitalized after a road rage incident shortly
after 5PM. The local newspaper said, "The incident happened
south of the intersection on HWY 95, just west of HWY 19
(Simplot Blvd) towards Garmin hill where both men were pulled
to the shoulder of the road. Mr. PARKS recalls the attacker
approaching him in a boxing type of stance, arms up
like most boxers do, and did so almost at a run ready to
throw blows/swinging. Mr. PARKS attempted to defend himself
only to be taken to the ground, beaten and kicked by the
attacker who continued attacking even after Mr. PARKS had
stated that he thought his legs could be broken and was
unable to get up. The suspect expressed his pleasure and
stated that, 'maybe this will teach you old men not to @#$%
with us young guys.'
"He was then left on the pavement in the middle of the
southbound lane of the highway by the suspect, who fled the
scene. Mr. PARKS then had to struggle back to the side of the
road, dragging himself, unable to get up or walk, to his
vehicle contacting his family for help before emergency
responders had arrived at the scene. Although numerous cars
passed by during the attack, only one individual stopped to
help. Passerby(s) were the ones who contacted 911, as the
person who stopped did not have the ability to contact
emergency services.
"The victim, a disabled veteran who was awarded the Silver
Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart, for his service in
Vietnam, was air transported to Seattle where he is
undergoing surgery to repair injuries from the attack,
including full hip reconstruction.
"The attacker was described as being a 35-45 year old male,
6' to 6'4" tall, approximately 180 lbs, short dark hair grey
on the sides, moustache, goatee, and dark tan. He was last
seen driving what may be an earlier model, possibly 1992-1997
body style, blue & white two tone Chevrolet dually pickup
with Owyhee County plates. Sources will remain confidential.
Canyon county case # C09-207 31."
Murray GIBBS also mentions, "I just got this e-mail
concerning Dan WEAVER. He was our Vice President 2003-2004.
He has passed away just recently. The e-mail is from our
Treasuer Bob MCKINLEY: 'Murray, I just got a phone call from
Quin WEAVER to let me know that Danny passed away this
morning. He didn't give me all the details. His service will
be 8/11/09 in Lockport, IL, where he lived. Please put out to
all the MED guys so they know. We should send flowers from
the Association. Bob'"
Always remembering our 1st Cav troops on duty around the
world; over and out.
FIRST TEAM!
Garryowen,
Mike Bodnar C 2\7 Cav 1969
MEDEVAC 1-7\1970
SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE
15th MED\15th FSB
Mike Bodnar
13010 N Lakeforest Drive
Sun City, AZ 85351-3250
(623)972-4395
e-mail: mbodnar27@juno.com
Web site: http://15thmedassociation.com
I got a telephone call from '69-'70 MEDEVAC PSG L. Don
BARTON, who also lives in AZ. He mentioned that his wife, who
was also an Army vet, recently-and tragically-died. If you
want to contact Don, his e-mail is: <mudmedic70@hotmail.com>.
You can encourage Don to come out to the 2010 Reunion.
Don was an E-7 Combat Medic in A 1-5 Cav in '69 at the same
time that I was in C 2-7 Cav, before we converged in MEDEVAC
in Jan. '70. I found it hard to believe that an E-7 would be
a Medic out in the field-not just working in the Bn. Aid
Station, but he said that he had marvelled many doing that.
Coincidentally, one of my platoon sergeants in 1st Plt., C 2-
7 Cav '69, Mark SMITH, had been in A 1-5 Cav on his first
tour, 1967 to Tet '68, and when Combat Medic Charles C.
HAGEMEISTER earned the CMOH, 20 March 67.
Webmaster\past president 2003-2006 15th MED Association
Murray GIBBS, MEDEVAC '67-'68, <gunnermadmur@neo.rr.com>
writes, "Greeting 15th MED Members, I just recently found out
that one of our members died last month on June 23rd, 2009.
His funeral was held on July 1st, 2009. Richard 'Tiny' MELLON
will be remembered and missed. He was very active at all the
Reunions since 2003 where we met him. We gave a nick name to
him at the 2003 Reunion, 'TINY.' It was great to listen to
him talk and tell stories. He was very liked by all the
members. He was our auctioneer at the 2004 Reunion and he
was good at it. We have pictures of him from some of the
Reunions, and at the 2006 Reunion we took pictures of him
dancing with other members and the band leader."
Murray says that photos of "Tiny," and his obituary, are
linked on the Webpage, July Newsletter. Here is the MELLON
family's address and phone number: The MELLON Family, 1765
Bay St., Taunton, MA 02780 Phone: 508-822-0904. E-mail:
<mellonco@msn.com>.
E-mail from MEDEVAC gunner\Assn. past president Jim CALIBRO:
"By now most of you have heard that Tiny passed away toward
the end of June. His funeral was July 1. We didn't know of
Tiny's passing until Velma & Mike [SMITH] called to check on
them Sunday morning. Mike SMITH attached a copy of the
obituary to this e-mail for those of you that didn't get the
info.
"I spoke to Dorthy, Sunday morning. She said, 'Tiny was in
good spirits up until he passed away.' She also informed me
that over 300 people attended his funeral.
"Dorthy said, 'He had a lot of friends, and loved us all.
Tiny put up a good fight until his kidneys failed him.'
"I first met Tiny in 2003 when we held our Reunion in
Orlando. That was his first Reunion. We immediately became
friends and remained good friends over the years. I have a
lot of fond memories of Tiny. He was very humorless and kept
us laughing like we were still 19 & 20 years old. I will miss
him, he's gone but will never be forgotten. My minister
commented his legacy remains in the form of freedom and his
great friends. Jim."
On Monday, July 27, 2009, '69-'70 MEDEVAC gunner, David
PARKS, was hospitalized after a road rage incident shortly
after 5PM. The local newspaper said, "The incident happened
south of the intersection on HWY 95, just west of HWY 19
(Simplot Blvd) towards Garmin hill where both men were pulled
to the shoulder of the road. Mr. PARKS recalls the attacker
approaching him in a boxing type of stance, arms up
like most boxers do, and did so almost at a run ready to
throw blows/swinging. Mr. PARKS attempted to defend himself
only to be taken to the ground, beaten and kicked by the
attacker who continued attacking even after Mr. PARKS had
stated that he thought his legs could be broken and was
unable to get up. The suspect expressed his pleasure and
stated that, 'maybe this will teach you old men not to @#$%
with us young guys.'
"He was then left on the pavement in the middle of the
southbound lane of the highway by the suspect, who fled the
scene. Mr. PARKS then had to struggle back to the side of the
road, dragging himself, unable to get up or walk, to his
vehicle contacting his family for help before emergency
responders had arrived at the scene. Although numerous cars
passed by during the attack, only one individual stopped to
help. Passerby(s) were the ones who contacted 911, as the
person who stopped did not have the ability to contact
emergency services.
"The victim, a disabled veteran who was awarded the Silver
Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart, for his service in
Vietnam, was air transported to Seattle where he is
undergoing surgery to repair injuries from the attack,
including full hip reconstruction.
"The attacker was described as being a 35-45 year old male,
6' to 6'4" tall, approximately 180 lbs, short dark hair grey
on the sides, moustache, goatee, and dark tan. He was last
seen driving what may be an earlier model, possibly 1992-1997
body style, blue & white two tone Chevrolet dually pickup
with Owyhee County plates. Sources will remain confidential.
Canyon county case # C09-207 31."
Murray GIBBS also mentions, "I just got this e-mail
concerning Dan WEAVER. He was our Vice President 2003-2004.
He has passed away just recently. The e-mail is from our
Treasuer Bob MCKINLEY: 'Murray, I just got a phone call from
Quin WEAVER to let me know that Danny passed away this
morning. He didn't give me all the details. His service will
be 8/11/09 in Lockport, IL, where he lived. Please put out to
all the MED guys so they know. We should send flowers from
the Association. Bob'"
Always remembering our 1st Cav troops on duty around the
world; over and out.
FIRST TEAM!
Garryowen,
Mike Bodnar C 2\7 Cav 1969
MEDEVAC 1-7\1970
SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE