Vietnam Veteran News with Mack Payne

In this episode I come to you with a heavy heart. Just like when President Johnson would address the nation years ago and say "my fellow Americans, I come to you tonight with a heavy heart because I have to announce we are having to send another 50,000 military people to Vietnam." What causes this writer to have a heavy heart is a story from Newsline.com titled: US Military Preparing for ‘Final Flight’ of Versatile F-4 Phantoms that was submitted by Ben Capistrano.

In his story Capistrano told about the “final flight” of the venerable old Phantom F-4 fighter/bomber at Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. After beginning service with the US Navy in the late 1950's the last of 5,000 F-4s manufactured by McDonnell Douglas for the Air Force and the Marines are going to either a museum or a shooting gallery as targets for pilot training.

Retired Air Force colonel Craig Schorzman who flew F-4's in Vietnam said this about the aircraft: “it was hardy and very sturdy. It saved my tail a few times. It was not the best of anything but it could do everything”

This writer remembers the F-4 well. The first day I arrived at Cam Ranh Bay I watched as fully loaded F-4s were taking off loaded for combat. It was amazing to me that an airplane could take off with so much ordnance hooked to its wings and fuselage. Adding to the amazement was the realization those aircraft were heading out to a place where more than likely someone was going to die. The F-4 was a beautiful and useful aircraft.

In addition to dog fighting enemy aircraft and bombing ground targets, F-4s were used for many other things such as reconnaissance and electronic-warfare missions.

It is a shame such an outstanding aircraft will end up as targets on a gunnery range after more than a half century of tremendous service to our country.

John B. Wells, the executive director of the Military Veterans Advocacy, Inc does a lot of work for veterans, much of it pro bono, and he needs a little help. To continue his valuable work as an effective lobbyist for veterans issues in Washington, DC his non-profit foundation needs a little cash. You can make an investment in the continuing defense of veterans issues at the Military Veterans Advocacy website. It is easy to do and will pay all veterans big dividends. CLICK HERE.

When you hear the story featured in this podcast episode you will have a hard time not becoming a New York Jets fan. The story comes from Tap Into Cranford, Your Neighborhood News Online, titled: Vets Meet Jets in Jersey. It tells about a group of 150 Vietnam Veterans from all veterans organizations who decided to meet to  commemorate the Vietnam War and to enjoy a reunion of their fellow veterans.

It seems that Michael Maccagnan, the General Manager of the New York Jets heard about the meeting and decided to take action. The Jets Organization invited 150 Vietnam Veterans to their practice facility in Florham Park to help mark the event and to make it more special to the veterans. The veterans were treated very well at the event. It was kicked off by a sumptuous buffet breakfast that was followed ” by the Cranford NJ VFW Post #335’s Color Guard and a patriotic Pledge of Allegiance by the group.  “Amazing Grace” was played meticulously by the 12 member Union County Emerald Society Pipe and Drum Corp. MIA-POW's were remembered by the placement of table and empty chair in their honor.

Of course there were speakers on the program. The first speaker was MOH recipient Jack Jacobs was welcomed with a two minute standing round of applause. He spoke about the action in Kien Phong Province in 1968 that resulted in his award. Next on the speakers list was Major General Troy Kok head of the 99th Regional Support Command at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. He commented on the value of military service to one's country.

Michael Maccagnan closed with words of thanks and he handed out commemorative pins with a handshake and sincere “thank you” to each and every Vietnam Veteran in attendance. Afterwards all were invited to watch a brief practice on the outside practice turf by the Jets squad followed by a meet and greet autograph session with the players.

Agent Orange was one of the terrible legacies of the Vietnam War. The decision to utilize the super defoliant now known as Agent Orange in the Vietnam War was good intention-ed but it unfortunately came with some terrible unintentional consequences. One of the worst unintended consequences was that many Vietnam Veterans got sick from exposure to the dioxin found in the herbicide. It doesn't stop with the veterans. Now it is believed by many that the possibility of contracting Agent Orange related diseases is being passed on to the descendants of Vietnam Veterans. The sad situation is featured in a story found in The Stars and Stripes titled: At greater risk: The children of Agent Orange that was submitted by Charles Ornstein and Hannah Fresques, ProPublica and Mike Hixenbaugh for The Virginian-Pilot.

The article writers point out numerous examples of Vietnam Veterans who have children that have contracted mysterious Agent Orange diseases. One Vietnam Veteran, Mike Blackledge, who fathered a healthy child before the war and two sick ones after, believes the government that exposed troops to Agent Orange should care for those it harmed — including their children.

For decades, the Department of Veterans Affairs has collected — and ignored — reams of information that could have helped answer that question, an investigation by ProPublica and The Virginian-Pilot has found. In a statement, the VA stated "it does not have the expertise in the relevant fields of inquiry and that they should only play an ancillary role." Linda Birnbaum, director of the National Institute for Environmental Health Sciences, part of the National Institutes of Health said: “While I used to be pretty skeptical about reports, especially related to Agent Orange exposures of predominantly male soldiers we had at the time, I’m not as skeptical as I was.”

Regardless of the skepticism of the smart guys, something has to be done to help these veterans who not only have to worry about their own health but that of their descendants. The country owes that to the brave veterans who went off to fight for their country and got sick because of something the country did to them during that service.

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John B. Wells has been tirelessly working for years seeking Agent Orange treatment equity for the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans. He is the executive director of the Military Veterans Advocacy, Inc which is located in Slidell, Louisiana. He is actively involved in a wide range of veterans issues but he has been putting much emphasis on the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans situation. He has spent a great deal of time in Washington DC meetings with politicians and cabinet members advocating for his causes.

Recently he was able to meet with the Secretary of U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald. Attending the meeting with Wells was Michael Little, Legislation Director for the Association of the United States Navy and Chris Slawinski, National Service Director from Fleet Reserve Association National Headquarters.

The meeting was a last-minute effort to have the Blue Water Navy Agent Orange exposure rule reversed. In 2004, the VA made its ominous to Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans declaration that only Vietnam Veterans with "boots on the ground" could receive benefits for illnesses related to exposure to the dioxins found in Agent Orange. This move effectively prevented that group of Vietnam Veterans from receiving Agent Orange benefits. In an hour and one half meeting, Wells  briefed Secretary McDonald on the facts related to Blue Water Navy Agent Orange Exposure.

In this episode John Wells is interviewed about the meeting. In the interview he discussed the Military Veterans Advocacy, Inc. and what it is doing for veterans of all wars and the factors leading up to the meeting with the Secretary. He also described the factors he covered in the meeting and the Secretary's reaction to the Blue Water Navy situation. And then he reviewed the future actions it intends to pursue in the new Congress to achieve that equity of benefits for the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans.

Wells mentioned he needs funding to carry on this important work. All who care about the responsibilities the nation has assumed to care for the veterans who lay down their lives for their country should consider donating to help Wells carry out the important work he is doing for our veterans.

CLICK HERE for the direct link to the contribute page of John's website:

www.militaryveteransadvocacy.org

CLICK HERE for John's Facebook page.

John encourages all Navy veterans to join either of these two organizations:

Association of the United States Navy

Fleet Reserve Association National Headquarters

For fifty years politicians, pundits, scholars and others have been trying to figure out what happened in that chapter of US history known as the Vietnam War. Some say the war changed America in profound ways still not understood. Such an event in a nation's history will generate a great deal of commenting and opining. An example of opining on the subject appeared in the Stars and Stripes piece titled: Vietnam - The loss of American innocence? that was submitted by Terry Leonard.

He was contributing to the Stars and Stripes 50 year commemoration of the Vietnam War. The publication is presenting a series of stories and special projects intended to add context and understanding to the history of that war and to the changes it brought about. The project examines the fighting abroad and the protests, politics and turmoil at home. It includes the voices of veterans who fought and those of others who marched at home for peace.

Terry Leonard's piece deals with how the war changed American thinking. He points out that when Neil Armstrong trod on the lunar dust in July of 1969 Americans believed we could do anything. Quickly, our experience in Vietnam changed all that. Starting with young Americans, the belief that we could not trust what the government was telling us rapidly spread to their parents and many politicians.

Vietnam fundamentally changed the universal consciousness of the nation. No longer did we believe there was no limit to American power. Today, many scholars contend the war marked the loss of American innocence. It deeply divided a nation unified by World War II and the division and distrust of government continues to grow.

All this may be true but it is time for America to grab itself by the lapels, slap itself a few times and realize we are an exceptional national created with Godly principles. It is incumbent upon all its citizens to live and act in a way so as to appreciate and maintain all the blessings that have been bestowed upon us all as a nation.

Some people up in South Carolina are doing a nice thing to honor the memory of a Vietnam Veteran who gave his life for his country in that war. The deed was described in a story from the Greenville Online website titled: New charity honors life of man killed in Vietnam War submitted by Angelia Davis, [email protected].

In her story, Davis tells how family and friends set up a charity to honor the memory of Vernon G. Hollifield. His life was taken in Vietnam on August 25, 1966, during the Battle of Bong Trang. On August 22, 2016 The Vernon G. Hollifield Children’s Charity, became official "three days short of exactly 50 years since Vernon's death." The charity was created by Vernon's brother Walt and family friend Eddie Burnett.

The charity will have a dual purpose according to Walt Hollifield. First to honor the memory of his brother Vernon and to “honor our Vietnam Veterans by assisting children of all ages," Burnett said. To accomplish those missions the charity foundation is announcing its first fundraiser — "NASCAR Helmets for Children." The announcement was made at Shriners Hospital for Children in Greenville.

Three NASCAR stars, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kyle Busch and Jimmie Johnson autographed six NASCAR helmet replicas that will be given away as prizes in a raffle supporting the fundraiser. Winners will be named at 11 a.m. March 31 at Shriners Hospital in Greenville.

The event will be a partnership with the Hejaz Shrine Temple, the Vernon G. Hollifield Children's Charity and the Shriner’s Hospital for Children.

Tickets are being sold in the community through Shriners, automobile collector car clubs, show car clubs, businesses, veterans groups, and VFW centers, Walt Hollifield said.

The raffle is open to all so you are encouraged to enter the raffle no matter where you live to help remember and honor this brave Vietnam Veteran. Tickets are only $2.00 each.

For more information about the raffle and/or the Vernon G. Hollifield Children’s Charity contact the Foundation at:

Vernon G. Hollifield Foundation

P.O. Box 218

Easley, SC 29640

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In this episode we will take a look at two participants in the Vietnam War and how they are handling a vexing problem faced by the US today. That vexing problem is immigration. The writer of this piece realized an anagnorisis that led to believing the solution to the problem lies in the principles of first aid training he received in the Army. Army training teaches when someone is wounded the first of the life saving steps is to stop the bleeding and take care of the broken bones and other injuries immediately afterward. That concept should apply to the US immigration botheration.

Stop the bleeding by sealing off the southern border where most of the "undocumented visitors" are entering the country and yes it can be done with a concerted national effort. Then treat the other injuries which in this case are the aforementioned undocumentals. A suggestion is to set up a nationwide chain of "Ellis Island" processing centers where the unregistered people can come forward and be legalized. Any undocumental who does not come forward to legalized should then be removed from the country.

A story in The Bangkok Post titled: Vietnam jails people smugglers deported from Australia describes new immigration policies implemented by Vietnam and Australia. Four Vietnamese were convicted of trying to smuggle a boat load of 21 Vietnamese emigrants attempting to enter Australia less paperwork. The convictions occurred after the hopeful immigrants were apprehended by the  Australians when their rickety boat was discovered in Australian waters.

The intruders and their people smuggler escorts were victims of bad timing. Only days before their capture by the Australian authorities, Australia and Vietnam signed an agreement that required the return of Vietnamese nationals deemed to be in Australia illegally. Australia has decided it will not continue to be a haven for worldwide refugees.

The US should take note of what Australia is doing and maybe take a few notes.

Vietnam Veteran Jan Scruggs can rightly be called the father of the Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington DC. His story is the stuff of legends because he overcame so much to make the Wall a reality. Jan Scruggs was born in Bowie, Maryland in 1950. He grew up in modest circumstances and upon his graduation from Bowie High School in 1968 he joined the Army more to get away from home rather than from any big patriotic motivations.

He served honorably two years in Vietnam with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade. One terrible incident that occurred in his unit where twelve members of his unit were killed in an accidental explosion of three mortar rounds has haunted him ever since. That incident and others like it caused him to suffer symptoms of what would later be known as PTSD.

When he came home he took a year off to roam the nation on a motorcycle as he dealt with his memories. Scruggs came home, enrolled in the American University and eventually earned a masters degree in psychology where he specialized researching posttraumatic stress disorder. He got married, took a job with the Department of Labor and became a renowned expert in the treatment of PTSD. It looked like he was set for life as a government employee.

That all changed one night when he and his wife went to see the movie The Deer Hunter. The intensity of the movie caused Scruggs to have flashbacks later that night as he remembered the accident that took the lives of his friends in Vietnam. As the new day dawned an idea of a memorial with the names of American service members who had died in the Vietnam War flashed into his mind. His wife thought the idea was crazy but Scruggs persisted with the idea and brought it up at the next meeting of his local Vietnam Veterans of America chapter.

He had proposed an obelisk 30 feet high, erected without government funds, with the names of the dead inscribed on it. The reaction of the chapter was generally negative actually his idea was strongly opposed by the members. Some felt the idea naive, while others argued it would distract the organization from winning better benefits for veterans. Apparently the people at the meeting did not realize Jan Scruggs was on a mission and nothing was going to deter him.

With the help of another Vietnam Veteran, attorney Bob Doubek, he set up a foundation to get the job done. Scruggs announced the formation of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) on May 28, 1979. He was so devoted to his mission he quit his secure government job to devote all his time to the memorial effort.

Initially his mission was met with contempt, disdain, laughter and mockery. After two months of hard word, Scruggs had raised just $144.50. The idea was even ridiculed by Roger Mudd on the CBS Evening News. Adding insult to injury, Mudd's brief report was used as material by late-night comedians. The Lord works in strange ways and it turns out that Mudd's mention turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The publicity from the CBS mention raised the VVMF's profile, and soon Scruggs was raising thousands of dollars (most of the donations in the $5 and $10 range).

After a mammoth and determined effort accomplished by Scruggs on November 13, 1982 the Vietnam Memorial Wall was unveiled. Jan Scruggs is a true American hero.

Discover more about his accomplishment in his book To Heal a Nation: The Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

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In this episode of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast a Vietnam War Era veteran who never set foot on the "Olde Sod" of that exotic land will be featured. Wayne Wagner of Ford County, Illinois served in the US Air Force during the Vietnam War. His place of duty was on Easter Island, another exotic location. His story of service to his country was featured in a story in The News-Gazette of Champaign, Illinois titled: Those Who Served: War duty no holiday on Easter Island that was submitted by Paul Wood.

In the story, Wood, tells about how Wagner, now 71, avoided being drafted into the Army by immediately joining the Air Force. The Air Force assigned him to communications duties and after short stints of duty at Travis AFB and Panama he was sent to Easter Island to perform top secret communications duties.

Easter Island is a possession of Chile and it lies in the Pacific Ocean 2,000 miles from its ruler's coastline. Wagner was one of the first to arrive at the new duty station that had few facilities for the Airmen. Due to the fact the US presence at the island during the Vietnam War caused concern for the Chilean Government the Air Force personnel on the island were not allowed to wear uniforms. Their mission on the lonely island was to provide communication links between the Pentagon and forces fighting in Vietnam.

Life on the lonely island was primitive for the airmen. There were two distinguishing factors about Easter Island, one is that it is near the Pitcairn Islands where the mutineers of the HMS Bounty settled to hide from the British Admiralty. The other unusual thing about Easter Island is the 900 large stone statues that dot the island. Some speculate they were brought there by aliens but we will probably never know. In the 1500s, Spanish missionaries destroyed all traces of the native culture including the Rongo-Rongo tablets, which contained a record of the lost language of the Rapa Nui. So few of these tablets remain that no one has been able to decipher them.

Wagner finished his hitch in the Air Force and went home to Ford County where he has worked as a productive member of his community. Today among other things he serves on a national post in the American Legion.

Thank you Wayne Wagner for your service to your country.

The primary purpose of this podcast is to tell about the Vietnam War and the brave men and women who participated in that overseas combat operation regardless of their country or origin. In this particular episode we are going to take a look at the story of a brave young Irish lad who went off to fight for his new country in Vietnam as a US Marine and paid the ultimate price. He story was highlighted in research recently conducted by Irish documentary maker, Kathy Rafferty. He work was highlighted in a story from thejournal.ie Titled: 'Mayo Boy, Vietnam Hero': The fascinating story of Patrick Gallagher that was submitted by Kathy Rafferty.

Patrick 'Bob' Gallagher was born in County Mayo, Ireland in 1944. He grew up in the small town of Ballyhaunis about thirty miles east of Mayo. Around 1960 he came to America where he had relatives in Long Island, New York. He decided to join the US Marines and fight for his adopted country over in Vietnam. He was so considerate of his parents feelings back in "the old sod" he swore his relatives to secrecy about him going to Vietnam. He did not want his mother to be overly worried about her dear son's well being in war.

Gallagher's cover was blown when he was awarded the Navy Cross by General Westmoreland for extraordinary heroism and gallantry in combat. Gallagher's unit was attacked with grenades by NVA soldiers. When a live grenade landed in their midst, Gallagher with total disregard for his personal safety immediately through his body on the grenade. This brave Marine was willing to give his life for his fellow Marines. Fortunately his discovered the grenade had a delayed fuse so he had time to throw it away before it exploded.

As a result of the publicity he knew his parents would learn where he was so he wrote a letter to his parents to explain. In the letter he told them not to worry about him because his tour was almost home and he would be seeing them soon. A few weeks later just prior to his DEROS (date of effective rotation from overseas), he was killed while on patrol.

Patrick 'Bob' Gallagher was a brave Vietnam Veteran we should all hold in the highest regard. You can help honor his memory by signing the online petition to have a US Navy vessel named in his honor.

CLICK HERE for the online petition to has a US Navy vessel named in honor of Patrick Gallagher.