Rattler/Firebird Guestbook
Atty T VanHamel [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Administrative with Company A/501st Aviation Battalion
Call sign: NULL
I have been reading the new book, and think it is quite a documentary of our organization. Thanks for the memories.
June 19, 2004 - Newtown, PA USA
John Mateyko [E-mail]
Former: Officer Pilot with Company A/501st Aviation Battalion
Call sign: Rattler 21
Ladies and Gentlemen, from W.E.B. Griffin: They were good men, the best, and they were his buddies, he would never, as long as he lived, have better friends". If that doesn't sum up how I feel about Rattlers, nothing does.
June 18, 2004 - Lansing, Illinois NULL
Roger L Cress [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Maintenance with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: NULL
It has been a while since I put anything on here. I trying to get Ray Foley phone number, I lost it some where.I wanted to go to the reunion but couldn't. I hope everyone had a good time. I think about Vietnam a lot as the years go by. I try to remember only the good and not the bad. I remember names but can't see their faces. Will have to make the next reunion. If anyone has Ray's nunber please post it on the sight for me. thanks
June 4, 2004 - Sherrills Ford, NC USA
Ron Olson [E-mail]
Former: Warrant Officer Pilot with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: Rattler 10
Had a great time ya all. Hope Memorial Day goes well everyone. Tom flaged down a pizza guy to drive him to go get his camera!!!!....Man that was funny.It was a good time. Thanx.I shackle.....ntncpatdp.
May 30, 2004 - Gainesville, Florida NULL
Griffin 704 [E-mail]
Former: NULL NULL with NULL
Call sign: NULL
Remembering and Thanking All Who Served this Memorial DayArmy Aviation Crewmembers Rememberedhttp://armywings.8m.com
May 27, 2004 - NULL, NULL NULL
JF Meyer [E-mail]
Former: NULL NULL with NULL
Call sign: NULL
From June 70 till July 71 I headed a small-6 man-MACV Mobile Advisory Team (MAT-I-58) in the remote former SF camp at Ha Thanh (A-104) in Son Ha District of Quang Ngai province. I well recall on a couple instances of heavy contact in our area the welcome arrival of the Rattler bunch and how much their immediate assistance in moving us around and general support was appreciated by us on the ground as they greatly helped in resolving the issue to our advantage. I salute those brave skillful crews of the Huey birds and offer to buy any and all Rattlers a beer anytime er' anywhere...JF Meyer LTC/USA (ret.)
May 16, 2004 - Fairfax, VA NULL
ellen [E-mail]
Former: NULL NULL with NULL
Call sign: NULL
Thanks for a great reunion! I'm only a spouse (but it's no small task being married to John Wiklanski); this association serves its members in ways that cannot be measured or quantified in clearly definable terms, but it very important to all of us on many different levels, and I appreciate your effort. Many thanks to Ron Seabolt, Vic Bandini et al for this labor of love, and for the lifetime friendships, both new and renewed. and thanks for pointing out this web-site.
May 3, 2004 - NULL, NULL NULL
Bill Di Dio [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Administrative with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: NULL
First off, I need to apologize to everyone at the reunion. I had taken ill after dinner and had to make a hasty exit and didn't get a chance to say good-bye.This was my first reunion and it was good to see "old" faces and new ones. Seabolt was right when he told me it (the reunion) would be here and gone before you realize it. To Anton and Pfister..."we got pictures". You guys exemplify what the Rattlers and Firebirds are all about...God bless everyone and remember..."We Were The Best America Had".
May 3, 2004 - Pembroke Pines, FL USA
Greg Arndt [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Door Gunner with 71st Assault Helicopter Company
Call sign: NULL
Just got back to Huntsville,Al. 700 miles and worth every mile. Great time and Mancil and Meitus made it for the first time. Haven't seen them in 34 years. Hope to see more at the next re-union. Being with Doug Starkey and Paul Dalferro was worth the trip. The Georgia boys,Hardeman and Nottingham there too. Wiklansky got an award he most deservedly earned. Ron,Kay,Chuck,Vic and the guys pulled off another great re-union. How about we have a re-union at a hotel on the beach sometime? The Wall memorial service was moving. Been there before,both day and night and every time it gets me. Seeing Wayne's name on the Wall always makes me remember,he was the first Firebird I met in the company area when I came in as a FNG. Two months later,he's gone. Also looked up three buddies from high school who didn't come home. A sad place,but a good place,The Wall. Looking forward to the next re-union. Now if Kotecke,Ted Fisher,Toves,Parkansky(my first crew chief who took the time to train this cherry boy),Hiler,Max Dry(a great Firebird pilot and probably the youngest) and a few more could make it would be nice.
May 2, 2004 - NULL, NULL NULL
Nick Friedrichs [E-mail]
Former: Enlisted Administrative with Other
Call sign: NULL
I was a member of the USA Aviation Detachment at Fort Kobbe when the 71st was formed. Major William Dill was CO and Captain James Nolan was XO. I was a Flight Operations Specialist (907) and to this day I can't remember what I did. I left Panama in December of 1963 without ever seeing a UH-1B but I did get a chance to meet some of the WO's that were first assigned to the 71st--what a bunch of great guys.
April 30, 2004 - Youngsville, NC USA