MEDEVAC
15th Med\15th FSB
Mike Bodnar
307B N Main
Copperas Cove, TX 76522 1704
254-542-1961
e-mail: mbodnar27@juno.com
http://www.vabch.com/mssb/snore/map15th.htm
This will be the last of these columns, for this millennium.
How many times recently have you heard that in reference to
everything? Probably, more times than you have heard:
"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of
religion, or free exercise thereof;..."
This later phrase is from my sacred scipture, the
Constitution of the United States. If the First Amendment
to the Constitution is as it says, and it is, then there
should legally be no third millennium based on a religious
figure. But, we are bound by our culture and we must deal
with the rest of the world as well as our own ignorance, to
survive.
The first modern measurement of time was the Julian calendar,
introduced by Julius Caesar. That first use of 365 days for a
year, or an Earthly orbit of our Sun, was slightly corrected
with a leap year by the Catholic Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 as
the Gregorian calendar and was adopted by America in 1752 as
the New Style calendar which is now what is in use.
Our numbering of the years based on an individual's life
corresponds directly to the last two thousand years which has
been, to anyone who is aware, the Piscean Age which is
characteristically clouded in mysticism. That now is nothing
but a bad memory and the Aquarian Age which we are presently
starting, whether we realize it or not, is accurately
symbolized by the water barer pouring out the waters of
enlightenment, thus Aquarius, and is characterized by that
enlightenment, as well as altruism, and social groups working
for change for the better.
When I think back on First Cav MEDEVAC I think of those
Aquarian characteristics because altruism was the key word.
Everyone on MEDEVAC whom I knew, EVERYONE, had that sense of
altruism. It was quite obvious and what we all felt, SO THAT
OTHERS MAY LIVE.
As we live the beginning of the Aquarian Age despite any
arbitrary start of our time measurement I would like to think
that our country at least can apply that enlightened
awareness to our betterment as well as that of all humanity
and the principles of our Constitution which we always defend
in our Army service.
I received an e-mail from Raymond BROUSSARD, a veteran of HHC
15th Medical Bn., Phouc Vinh and Quan Loi 6-69 to 12-69. He
says, "I was assigned to the 15th Med as an auto repair parts
specialist. I ended up driving the water truck: 5-ton tractor
trailer with a 5,000 gallon tank separated into 2500 gallon
halves. We supplied fresh water all over Phouc Vinh. My co-
driver (whose name I cannot remember!) spent a good deal of
time dodging snipers since we had to climb water towers of
different heights. My problem is that I cannot remember any
names.
I came home after the 1st Cavalry went into Cambodia and I
lost touch. Very few people will remember me as Pvt.
BROUSSARD, but [more will remember me] as Pvt. PEACHES. (It
is a long story!) But, I would like to hear from any old
Skytroopers from the HHC. Pvt. PEACHES."
He goes on to say, "I live in Shelbyville, KY at 718 Brown
Ave., my Zip Code is 40065. Telephone (502)633-5303. I
arrived in country June 8, 1969, at Bien Hoa, went through
the 'training and zeroing my weapon.' A few days later I got
on a Chinook and landed in Phouc Vinh. After some close calls
from snipers I finally fell from a water tower and hurt my
back. In addition I sustained a fractured skull and sternum
in a racial confrontation. The combination led to me being
sent home. In civilian life I had four major back surgeries
with the final one a fusion. In addition, I served in the
reserves with distinction as a senior medic: 5th Special
Forces Group, 67th Support Bn., 4th Infantry Bde, 4th
Infantry Division (Mechanized). I earned Soldier of the Year
in 1982 and Citizen Soldier of the Year in Nebraska. I have
four children: Aaron, Andrew, Samuel, and Olivia. Life is
good in Kentucky; I go to the Vet Center every week. PEACHES
<RMBROU4236@AOL.COM>"
On Wednesday, 18 Aug 1999, Jack GILTINAN <BLUEBAR@USA.NET>
writes: "I am trying to locate a Sgt. OTTO who served with
Charlie or Delta Company 2\5. He was wounded in action (Head
Wound) at LZ Ike the summer of 69." Of course, anyone who can
help Jack out, please do.
SNORE writes to us all that on 09\12\99 Mike PARSONS had
passed away. SNORE says, "I do not have any further
information at this time, but I will be posting it as soon as
I receive it from Dave PARKS. Thanks, Dave, for the
information."
I flew with Mike, as he was a door gunner and I got shot down
with him, pilots Lt. Jack RODEN, Lt. John LONON, and
crewchief John HODGES on March 2nd, 1970, northeast of Song
Be. We all spent the night with our ARVN hosts and then we
were extracted not all at once by a single manned LOH
probably of C Troop 1\9 Cav. It is sad news to hear of Mike
PARSON's passing; R.I.P. Mike!
Charles NORDAN <CHARLES.NORDAN@DUKE.EDU>from Hillsborough,
North Carolina writes, "I was in the 1\5th Cavalry, 1st
Cavalry Division in 1966. I worked with you guys on several
occasions. I'd be interested in speaking to anybody that was
in country during 66-67."
One of my favorite people, Butch MCKITTRICK
<BUTCHMC@HOME.COM>writes, "Crewchief 69--70--came to 15th
Med Evac after 13 months with A229 Avn. Bn. Quang
Tri to Tay Ninh 1st Cav." I remember flying with Butch once
and I looked up at him in the Hell Hole to see painted on the
back of his flight helmet the words, "Yankee go home and take
me with you!"
When I e-mailed Butch I asked him about his fellow crewchief
and Alabamian who was with us at the same time and close to
Butch, but whom I and apparently everyone else always knew
him only by his last name, DUCEY. Butch relayed the sad news
to me that DUCEY had taken his own life some years back.
Butch also told me that his full name was Stewart Kennan
DUCEY.
DUCEY was apparently also in 229 AHB and Butch says that
prior to that he came from a grunt outfit. All I know is
that DUCEY was a great guy and that he will also be greatly
missed by us all. Thanks to him and as I said and I will say
again to Butch, thanks for also being MEDEVAC!
And, please, nobody else kill yourselves, no matter how bad
it gets. That is an order, with a capital "F!" That is what
reunions are for, so that you can always feel your worth with
those who respect you.
(1SG Ret.) William MEEKS <MEEKS_W@MSN.COM>from: Troutdale,
OR writes that he, "Was with 15th MEDEVAC #1 flew with CPT
SCOFIELD, Mike SMITH was one of our Gunners. I was a medic
from 68-69 then went to Japan. Then to Georgia then to
Germany for 10 1/2 yrs. Then to Colorado for 3yrs, back to
Germany for 3 yrs, back to Cal. NTC ran the ER. was there for
3 yrs, transfered to Ft. Lewis retired from there after
Saudi. Received a call from Mike SMITH on 10\12\99 told about
the Web site it brings back a lot of good times. Thanks"
James BELAIR called me on October 23rd. James is not a
computer user presently so he has no e-mail address but he
lives at 166 Mudjekeewis Trail, Medford Lakes, NJ 08055
(609)654-8108. James was an 11 Bravo in C 2\5 Cav '67-'68 and
then flew as a door gunner on MEDEVAC from 6\68 to 1\69. He
later returned to MEDEVAC from 6\70 to 12\70 again as a door
gunner. I am sure all in the FIRST TEAM would agree that is
quite a display of LOYALTY AND COURAGE. With James I would
also like to say thanks for also being MEDEVAC!
James called to inquire about the next MEDEVAC\15th Med
Reunion. I would like to say that it is at the next 1st Cav
Reunion but I cannot say that yet. I told James that I would
print any information about it in this issue.
Coincidentally, Mike SMITH sent his new Web address:
<HTTP: www.geocities.com
Medevac-Nam.html> Mike writes to all that: "From 1969 to 1970
I was a door gunner with 15th Med 1st Cav in Vietnam. Thirty
years have past and I and some other people have been
searching for other past members of the 15th Med to find out
how they are and to try to get together for reunions.
The next reunion will be in San Antonio. Laquinta Inn &
Suites San Antonio Market Square 9-11 June 2000 900 Delarosa
San Antonio, TX 78207-4540 Tel#210-271-0001 fax#210-228-066
1-800-642-4239. Identify [yourself] as members of MEDEVAC
Reunion party, conf#56790763. This has to be done no later
than 5/8/00. Remember all members of 15th Med 1st Cav Vietnam
are part of the reunion!!!!!!! E-mail me at
<MVANDCO@AOL.COM>"
Al (BAUM) TANNENBAUM <ALTANNENBAUM@WORLDNET.ATT.NET>
from Patchogue, NY writes, "Was in A Co 15th Med Bn Tay Ninh
from Jan '69-Jan '70. Looking for old friends."
Mark DRAKE <MARKADRAKE@PRODIGY.NET>an X-ray technician in A
Co. 15th Med in Tay Ninh from March '69 to May '70 writes in
again and says, "Yo. Anyone in or attached to A Co. 15th Med
69 and 70 we are looking for you. Please E-mail me. I am
starting a holiday list!!!!!! Duck." I previously had Mark
living in Longmont County CA but that CO was not a county but
Colorado. Mark's address is: 2191 Frontier Street, Longmont,
CO 80501-0983 and by phone he is at (303)776-1344.
In closing I would like to mention that the Army News Watch
mentions that the M-16 round is being deleaded. It will now
be called the "green bullet" or "green ammo."
The lead core is being replace with a tungsten-nylon core and
is reported to be not only more environmentally friendly, but
also more accurate in hitting any target, and they add that
it causes a little less barrel erosion. The Army says that it
will reduce by one million bullets this year and phase into
full production by 2005. They will eventually replace the .50
caliber, nine millimeter, and then the 7.62 round.
For all those active duty members who are now consciencious
objectors because you do not want to pollute the environment
with lead you can now change your classification and join the
real Army as they plan to be better stewards of the
environment while they maintain the arsenal of democracy.
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
