Rattler/Firebird Guestbook
Hotels Apartaments [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
The site is very good ! Apartaments and hotels find http://www.hotels-apartment.com/. Senks ! 73 !
June 13, 2007 - EU, EU
Hotels Apartaments [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
The site is very good ! Apartaments and hotels find http://www.hotels-apartment.com/. Senks ! 73 !
June 12, 2007 - EU, EU
John Mateyko [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with Company A/501st Aviation Battalion
Call sign: Rattler 21
Sunday, May 27, Janet and I drove to Knox, Indiana. A small town in physical size, a large town in American spirit and heart. We arrived at the VFW post about 6PM and saw several military trucks. Between the street and the post's building were about forty American flags, knee high and waving in the breeze. A concrete area held the flag poles for an American flag and the five service flags. Two members were at Parade Rest, standing their 1/2 hour Guard Duty tour during the 24 hour vigil for fallen comrades, including CWO Andy Howes. Upon entering the hall, we stopped for ten minutes to admire the models of aircraft, ground vehicles,and naval vessels on display. Also some WW II and Vietnam era memorabilia. I had on my Rattler ball cap and Janet wore her patriotic red, white and blue vest with Rattler/Firebird Reunion pins. The VFW Indiana State Commander was there, pleasant gentlemen to talk to and we exchanged pleasantries while ridding the dust of the trail. Chatted with other guys about everything from flying in Vietnam to model railroading. One member said the Rattler emblem looked familiar, but he couldn't place it. When I told him it was also Andy's unit, he wanted to know all about the unit as well as the gunship weapons systems. We also showed those who were interested the attendance pin from the San Antonio Reunion. In the VFW Members only area were two photographs of CWO Howes, one of him in the left seat of a gunship in flight and another taken on the ground in the 'Hero Stance' with two belts of ammo across his torso and an M-60 in his hands. In the banquet area, the Missing Man table held the narration in left frame and the dedication to Andy in the right frame. Very well done. At 8:30PM, the Candle Light Vigil began. About 50 people in attendance, five people at the podium and two support personnal. The 8:30 changing of the guard occured and the program began. The Master of Ceremonies was a past post commander. After an introduction at which he said that he could not imagine the grief and uncertainty felt by a parent when told that their son was MISSING, the program began. It was about a 20 minute narrative with other voices adding dimension; first person accounts from the soldier and his mother. Covered was the intitial contact with the enemy, the deafening noise followed by the eerie silence. Positive thinking overnight, knowing that in the morning an American unit would come for him, and the disappointment the next morning when he was captured. The journey northward in a cage was accented when two post members somberly walked in front of the gathering carrying a 3x3x3 bamboo cage with a POW/MIA flag. The mother's letter to her son saying she had received a telegram from DA stating that he was Missing. She could not fathom how an Army unit could have a soldier missing, asking her son to explain what that meant. Months later the POW tells of the rotten living conditions and rancid food, the beatings and attitude of his captors. Another letter from Mom shares her feelings and the grief the family is suffering. Finally, no more letters from Mom. The program was somber, moving and first class; honoring those who were KIAs and POWs, are POWs and our Missing In Action. Knox, Indiana with its small town USA, cornfield heritage honored all veterans and especially their POWs and MIAs by reading their names which included Firebird Pilot Andy Howes. Individual candles were lighted. As we exited the area our candles were placed on a stand where they would burn throughout the evening.
May 28, 2007 - ,
Francisco Marcano-Rodríguez [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Prop & Rotor
Welcome Home Francis George Graziosi Mis hermanos, On May 18th & 19th Doug Starkey, Paul Bartlett and I were uniquely honored to be present at the viewing and burial of our brother Francis George Graziosi. We were joined by Dana Thurston on Saturday. We met Francis’ family; they were very friendly and truly glad that some Rattlers and Firebirds had come so far to welcome Francis home. We were greeted by Mrs. Julia Ross before we could park our vehicle (she wore his POW/MIA bracelet for 37 years). The Americal Division was represented by R. Gary Befus who presented an Americal banner to the family. There were many Viet Nam veterans that came and served as honor guards. The Honor Riders motorcycle Vets headed the procession from the church to the cemetery. The tears could not be contained as the bugler played TAPS and the Blackhawks flew above us. We were interviewed by TV and newspaper reporters after the burial. On the drive home I was reflecting on the fact that this was the first funeral we had been able to attend for one of our brothers. It is very difficult to drive at 70 mph for about 30 miles with your eyes full of tears as they stream down your face. The LORD bless you all. Hope to see some of you guys on Thursday and the rest in Denver. Love you all. Chico
May 21, 2007 - Perkasie, PA USA
Tony [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
Anyone remember William "Bill" Brousseau? He was with you guys I believe in the 151st. He is my father in law and my hero. He just recently passed from Multiple Myeloma. I am in the process of obtaining his records to be sure he is added to this site. He loved all you guys and told me quite a few stories. He will be so greatly missed. If anyone remembers him please contact me via email. Thank You to all of you!!! Tony
May 21, 2007 - Norton, MA USA
Greg Arndt [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Door Gunner with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign:
Francis Graziosi after 37 years in an an unmarked grave in Viet Nam was laid to rest in his home today. I remember him as a quiet kid doing his job and snatched from life on his 19th birthday. Francis,some of us will never forget our buddies who gave all they had to give. Rest in peace and God bless you.
May 19, 2007 - Huntsville, Al USA
John Mateyko [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with Company A/501st Aviation Battalion
Call sign: Rattler 21
Noon on May 27(Sunday) in Knox, Indiana the 24 Hour Vigil will begin honoring fallen heroes, one of whom is Rattler George Howes (KIA 6-Nov-68). Candlelight Ceremony starts at 8PM. Janet and I will be there in the evening, hope to see other Rattlers and Firebirds there.
May 11, 2007 - Lansing, Ill USA
Todd Dunn [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
Great Site! My father is Ivan Creig Dunn. He went by Creig and served as a warrant officer in Vietnam with the A/501 in 65-66. He was killed in a A/C accident 1993. I am looking to talk to someone who may have served with him our remembers him. Todd Dunn (303)434-2628
May 5, 2007 - Parker, Co USA
Glenn Summers [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Crew Chief with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Snake Doctor
Hey guy's!! Got a note from the VA Inspector Generals office the other day.Contains a questionaire I,m to fill out RE: Lyle Madison who I guess was in my 1st platoon Widomakers. From the questions to be answered it appears there have been a bunch of WILD stories told of the 71st. I know Ron has heard of this, I'm just wondering how many others have received one of these letters. I was the plt. sgt. before I rotated so I guess thats why I got one, but from the line of questions-- this deal goes a lot deeper than that and I'm curious about what happened after I left?? Happy Mothers Day !!!
April 27, 2007 - Indian Harbour Beach, FL. US of A
Mark S. Seeley [E-mail]
Former: with
Call sign:
My father was the first pilot KIA of the 178th "Boxcars"...a CH-47 unit originally deployed to Phu Loi in III Corps. Like the 117th, they were redeployed to Chu Lai in 1967... when I see a "Support Our Troops" banner on a car driven by gray-haired people I always wonder if they are a former war protestor feeling guilty about how they treated you heroes when you came home. Thank you.
April 26, 2007 - Boise, ID USA