We
hope that all our members enjoyed a wonderful Independence Day celebration and
all are safe with their loved ones. We
should always remember “Freedom isn’t Free” and support and pray for our
troops in harms way. Last month
we started a story about Jane Fonda, so let’s finish the article so we can
get our thoughts on a more positive track.
So as Paul Harvey would say, “here’s the rest of the story”.
The
military defeat of North Vietnam after the Tet Offensive of 1968 became a
political victory for North Vietnam because of anti-war demonstrations and the
sensationalism of the news media. The North Vietnamese interpreted
the U.S. reaction to these events as the weakening of America's resolve to win
the war. The North Vietnamese believed that victory could be
theirs, if they stayed their course. Keep
in mind that our military didn’t loose a single battle during our entire
involvement in Vietnam, our only loses were political in nature, and Fonda’s
actions aided that political end.
From 1969 until the
end of the war, over 20,000 American soldiers lost their lives in a war that
the United States did not have the resolve to win. The sensationalism by
the American news media and the anti-war protests following the 1968 Tet
Offensive gave hope to Communist North Vietnam, strengthening their belief
that their will to succeed was greater than ours. Instead of seeking a
successful resolution at the Paris Peace Conference following the disastrous
defeat of the 1968 Tet Offensive, they employed delay tactics as another tool
to inflame U.S. politics. This delaying tactic spurned further anti-war
demonstrations. Those who sensationalized their reporting of the war and
those who supported anti-war demonstrations are guilty of giving our enemy
hope. Because of their actions, they must share partial responsibility
for those 20,000 + Americans deaths.
We
won the war on the battlefield but lost it back home on the college campuses
and in the city streets.
If you think that
this was a momentary lapse in judgment by Ms. Fonda consider that in 1975
(over 3 years after the speeches and photo ops) she returned to Hanoi with her
newborn son Troy for a celebration in her honor for the work she had done for
North Vietnam. During the celebration, her son was christened after a
Viet Cong hero, Nguyen Van Troi. Troi had attempted to assassinate
Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara while on his visit to South Vietnam in
1963. The South Vietnam Government executed Troi for this
attempted assassination. Does this sound like she was contrite?
Here are 2 letters
that about Jane Fonda from just 2 servicemen that were questioned about their
feelings:
First Letter:
I am now 49 years of age and a retired Colonel. I was in college during
the 60's and fought in the Vietnam War, Panama, and Desert Storm. The war that
will forever stay with me is the Vietnam War....declared or not...still a war.
The war, itself,
was not fought for the right reasons. I can see that now and say that with
certainty. But that does not ever FORGIVE the fact that Ms. Fonda did what she
did. The impact, the hurt, and the speech caused more deaths, I was there and
saw the impact...the hatred. We fight and die for a reason. We follow orders
of the superiors appointed over us. We went when called. We did not go to
Canada. We did not desert. We could not get jobs upon returning and had to
take off uniforms to keep from being beaten by the peace-niks. We were
supposed to be ashamed of fighting in a country so far away.
As soldiers, we
follow orders and fight whom we are told to fight. We have feelings and morals
but a much deeper sense of responsibility...especially when commanding men's
lives in battle. Jane Fonda was wrong. Terribly wrong and cannot be forgiven.
We are supposed to heal the wounds of war but one cannot heal the wounds of
traitor. The war is over and I can look and talk to a Vietnamese...both North
and South. I will never talk, buy a product, or walk one step out of my way to
even see "Hanoi Jane". I commanded brave men in battle....they
deserve the recognition and the forgiveness of having to kill or be killed.
Jane Fonda deserves nothing. Not even sympathy.
Dana King
Second Letter:
I read your page with interest and, as usual, was taken back to scenes
of memorial services, of throwing wreaths into the sea, of consoling widows of
departed shipmates and, mostly memories of the revulsion for military members
held by a great portion of the US. Wives received hate calls while their
husbands were in the war zone. White paint was thrown on departing warships.
These scenes and incidents I can never forget.
Those
persons who provided support to the enemy through thought and deed are guilty
of not only prolonging the war but also of causing a rift in the American
populace which is only now beginning to heal. Young and stupid is not an
excuse, neither is it grounds for mitigation. They danced while we died and
that will never be forgotten or forgiven by me.
Robert Weiss
If you go to Yahoo.com or Google.com
and do a web search on “Jane Fonda” you will find 2 types of web sites.
(Continued on Page 3)
From
the Commander
The
Ladies Auxiliary did a great job for Fathers Day with the Mount Vernon
Veterans, and I would like to thank all that came out to enjoy the vets, they
enjoyed the time immensely. A
super thanks goes out to Ed Voorhis and Storee Construction crew that spent so
much time working on the Submarine, and improving the back door patio.
Thanks gentlemen, your efforts are appreciated.
A thank you I missed last month is to the Missouri National Guard for
the Fly in for Remembrance Day. Thanks
again.
The election is over, and the new
Officers list is printed on the back of the calendar.
Come out and show your support.
July 1st at 8:00 AM is the
Golf tournament, if you have not signed up; it's not too late.
You can sign up at the Golf Course by 7:30 AM on Friday July 1st.
Island Green Golf Course is located in Republic. (South on P highway
toward Clever) July 1st, 2nd,
& 3rd the Submariners will show their support and dedicate the sub on the
3rd. There will be sub sandwiches and chips for $4.00 and Karaoke from 6 pm
till close by Chris Foster. So try to work some of the dates and events into your
schedule. Have a safe and happy
4th of July.
Phil Richardson
Adjutant’s
Report
Well,
we are finally over the 100% level for our dues for 2005, just in time for me
to start asking you to pay your 2006 dues.
You will be getting notices for payment and we would really appreciate
your getting those in to me quickly, so you can attend the “early bird
party”. We are planning a big
event this year for those that pay their dues early. (There will be a band)
For all members that come down to the post on a regular basis thanks,
and to the rest come on down and support your post.
J.C. Ponder
Ladies
Auxiliary
Well
as we all know our 24th Remembrance Day went OK…. But it would be
great if we could make our 25th Remembrance Day very special.
We could all work together. Come
on guys, I’ve seen a lot of funny humor from a lot of you, and I’ve heard
how you can cook this or fix that, well come on and show us what you got.
You guys need us as much as we need you, so let’s work together on
this. I know its 10 months away,
but let’s think about it as if it’s just a few months away. Well, we have
the Submariners visiting us on the first through the third of July and we
looking forward to learning things and to the dedication ceremony for the new
memorial for Post 639. The ladies
will have refreshments available at $4.00 per plate.
We will be celebrating Christmas in July at University Plaza on July 8 – 10,
2005. Hope to see all of you
there. In the front of the post
there is a barrel for us to put things into for the guys overseas, so please
let’s start getting it full and get things sent out.
The Ham & Beans dinner went well and we would like to thank all the
women from the Auxiliary that helped out, it went great.
At our meeting on June 2nd, we had our elections for
officers that will be installed on August 2nd.
Here is a list of the officers for the next year:
President – Beverly Miller, Vice President – Teri Chandler,
Secretary – Peggy Baker, Treasurer – Crystal Veregge, Chaplain – Debra
Brown, Sergeant-at-Arms – Katie McGowan, Members at Large – Luanne
Spradling and Paula Flieman. The
Historian’s post is still open. Lots
of luck to all the new officers, let’s make it a wonderful year.
It was great to see Bill Evans back at a meeting, we missed him, but we
want let him know that. We have a
new bartender who will be working on the weekend, welcome her to the post and
please be nice to her. Remember
the song, “The Coat of Many Colors”?
Goodness in people is inside. Clothes
don’t make the person the person makes the clothes.
So as always, say something kind to someone today and every day.
Beverly Miller, VP
Chaplain’s
Report
Here
is a Soldiers Prayer taken from a Marine’s grave inscription on Guadalcanal
in 1942. It’s funny how after
over 60 years it is still appropriate.
"And When He
Gets To Heaven,
To
Saint Peter He Will Tell;
One More Marine Reporting Sir,
I've Served My Time In Hell"
We ask our true
Commander-in-Chief to watch over our troops in harms way.
Bob Carroll
From
the Web
July
is really going to be a fantastic month for Post 639.
We are having a Golf Tournament 7/1/05 at Island Green, a gathering of
Submariners July 1-3, a dedication of a Submarine conning tower on 7/3/05 and
of course our normal Independence Day celebration and we’re not even through
the first week. Keep your eye on
the web site for these events and more coming up.
Also keep a lookout for pictures of Remembrance Day 2005 and for the
Submarine Celebration to get posted on the web site.
The hits just keep coming, so if you would like information about the
post activities or if you are looking for some specific information, give us a
click at www.post639.com. From
the web keep clicking.
Bill Roark
Bar
& Kitchen Report
This has been a fairly good month for
the bar. I would like to welcome
all the new members. I would also
like to thank all of you who have come in to visit us here.
Bobby, Sheila, and I really appreciate your company.
We do have drink specials, so please come in to find out what they are.
We are also serving snacks from the fryer, as well as microwave-able
The
Veterans Voice
Page
3
sandwiches and pizza.
And believe it or not folks, these things taste better than they sound.
So, come on in and give them a try.
Well, I guess that’s about it for now.
We look forward to seeing ya all real soon!!!!
Pat Beattie - Bar Manager
Freedom
is Not Free!!
Freedom
is not free and I’ll tell you why
A lot of our soldiers defending our Country have had to die
Which makes fallen comrades every day
A Memorial Day
For the ultimate price they had to pay
Leaving
little children without a dad
Through the years
Is enough to bring all of us to Tears
So we can have peace and freedom
A lot of blood has been shed
They died heroes and we honor the dead
But
our sacrifices sorrow and grief
Really runs deep
So…NO… Freedom is not free
It’s not even cheap
Written
By:
Marjorie E Sims
Shirts
Available:
The Ladies Auxiliary is selling
Remembrance Day T-Shirts for $12.00. If
we don’t have your size or color in stock, we can order them for you.
An order blank is on top of the jewelry display case.
All you have to do is to fill out the information and we will order
whatever you like. There will be Polo Shirts with the post emblem on the pocket
available only by order. The will
be sold for $18.00, so if you are interested, please fill out the order blank
or call me at 862-6518.
Peggy Baker, Secretary
Humor - One-Liners:
(1)
Jim Baker and Jimmy Swaggert have written an impressive new book. It's
called "Ministers Do More Than Lay People."
(2)
Transvestite: A guy who likes to eat, drink and be Mary.
(3)
The difference between the Pope and your boss...the Pope only expects
you to kiss his ring.
(4)
My mind works like lightning. One brilliant flash and it is gone.
(5)
The only time the world beats a path to your door is if you're in the
bathroom.
(6)
I hate sex in the movies. Tried it once. The seat folded up, the
drink spilled and that ice... well, it really chilled the mood
(Jane Fonda - continued from Page
1)
The other web sites will consider her “political” side and almost all of
them are negative. Why wasn’t
she tried as a traitor? Our
government was tired of the war and didn’t want to dredge it up by indicting
her (the opinions of most on the web sites).
Would she have been convicted? On
the evidence she certainly met the criteria to be convicted according to Henry
Mark
Holzer in his book “Aid and Comfort”.
If you are interested in that book, go to Holzer’s web site at http://www.
henrymarkholzer.com/. Then
click on Hanoi Jane.
After all this evidence there are still people defending her every day.
The mainstream news media tends to defend her or simply give her a
pass. In an interview with
Barbara Walters in 1988 she offered an apology to those veterans and families
that she might have hurt. She
said she realizes that her actions in an attempt to end the killing may have
caused pain and suffering and she said she was sorry if those actions had hurt
anyone. This interview was done
in conjunction with the release of her first book and the objections voiced by
Vietnam Veterans at that time. Does
anyone remember an apology where she said she was sorry for her anti-American,
pro-communism speeches that did the damage?
She has never said she was sorry for “what” she said, but only if
it hurt someone, but most veterans feel she has not expressed true remorse
about those actions.
Now here we are in 2005 - 33 years after the fact and she is in discussion
again. Why? It is probably because she has a new book on the market,
“My life, so Far”. She is now
running around the country trying to rewrite history and again saying she made
some mistakes and everyone should forgive her for those “thoughtless and
careless” comments. Do we give
her a pass today and forgive and forget?
For me personally the answer is “HELL NO”.
I’m a Christian and I know that God tells us to forgive others.
I have had a number of people that I have forgiven over the years, but
only one that I cannot forgive. I
can only ask God to forgive me for not being able to forgive her.
I have contacted a number of local stores that carry her book and I’ve
respectfully requested that they consider removing the book from their
shelves. I’ve gotten the gamut
of replies from “I will remove it from our shelves as offensive
in our marketplace” (Wal-Mart
at Sunshine and West By-pass) to Will at Waldenbooks in the mall, “we will
sell any book we want and I don’t care anything about veterans” and then
he hung up on me. Target was very
concerned and I got a call from their corporate headquarters in response to my
call to their local store on Primrose. They
went on and on about how they supported veterans and how important veterans
were to them and how they had been “misrepresented” in an email campaign
(which I really feel they did get a bad rap), but they wouldn’t agree to
take the book out of the store. The
Sam’s Club manager was a super nice guy and said he would make every effort
to get upper management to take the book out.
Is Jane Fonda a traitor to our country and all the veterans that have been
affected by her and her comments? Look
into your soul and you make the call.
This article was researched by personal observations, reading other
articles, reviewing old photos and video, Internet research and talking with
other veterans. It is my opinion
alone and does not represent the views of The American Legion or Post 639.
Bill Roark, Editor
Together
Then,
Together Now!!!