Dear Fellow Banshee's,
First, I would like to personally apologize for the delay in getting this edition of the Gazette to you. There were several circumstances beyond our control that contributed to lateness of this issue.
We would ask you to pay attention to some of the changes we have posted in this issue, mostly to the address change of Dave Martin, our editor and the way the Gazette will be distributed. We have had to make some changes due to the increasing cost of producing and mailing over 700 gazettes each month.
If you missed the reunion last September in Lubbock, you missed a good time that was hosted by Dave and Jinger Martin. They did a great job in putting our reunion together and making sure everything was perfect and there were no glitches. It wasn’t Dave’s fault that the Lubbock Chamber of Commerce and the Lubbock Planning Commission moved the restaurant where we were supposed to have a group luncheon at a Texas style Bar-B-Q restaurant. The mistake was quickly forgotten when everyone observed the photography demonstration Dave had arranged for Sunday, in the hospitality room. Bob Bohler conspired with Dave to show us his picture taking abilities. The demonstration was very interesting but came to an abrupt halt when John Yearwood returned to claim his disposable camera that Bohler had accidentally picked up. I’ll bet John is still trying to explain some of the pictures.
In all seriousness we all had a great time. The number of people attending was smaller that what we had hoped for, but considering the tragic events that occurred in our country on September 11th, I still think we had a great turn out. We had a lot of new faces at this reunion and hope that they will return to our future reunions.
We are try to finalize our plans for the 2002 Reunion in Washington DC and should have everything finalized by the end of January. We will get the information to you in the next Gazette and we will also post it on the website as soon as it is available. Good many of you have already let us know that you had intentions of attending this reunion. This was not a commitment or a registration and there is more that enough room available. We only asked that if you have intentions to attend and haven’t done so yet, let us know so we would have some idea of the number of rooms we would need.
There has been some question about membership. Membership in the Association is not mandatory to attend the reunion, but we ask that if you can afford to join our Association, please do because this is what keeps our Association functioning. Membership is $25.00 per year. Several people have asked how do you know when it was due and the best explanation is checking your membership card. If you do not have a card with 2002 in the lower left corner your dues are due. If you can’t find your card, check the roster that we sent to you in your membership packet. On the last page is a date the roster was last updated. If your roster was updated before 09/10/2001, your membership is due.
In closing I would like to wish you all a belated “Happy Holidays” and hope your New Year is happy, prosperous and safe.
"Out Front"
Jim Matthews - President
At the present time we are sending out over 720 Banshee Gazettes to members, perspective members, and interested parties. The Banshee Gazette is one of our largest expenses for the Association. Due to the increase costs of postage and the time to prepare the Banshee Gazette we will be making changes in the distribution starting after the April 2002 Issue.
Please remember that if you do not have Internet service you will need to notify Jim Matthews so we can mail your copy if you are a paid member!
by David Martin
Jim and Judy Matthews stopped in Hillsboro, Texas on their way to the Reunion. So, I thought I would give Jim a little challenge. I ask him if he would like a good Texas steak and of course Jim said sure.
We jump in our Texas Cadillac (That’s a pick-up) and headed south on I35 South toward Waco. Just before you get to Waco is the city of Elm Mott which is where the Heitmiller Family Steakhouse is located.
As we entered I told Jim and Judy to pick up some paper and a pencil. Jim looked a little confused to say the least but I explained that if he didn’t have them... he would not eat. Menus are printed on plain paper and you just circle your choices in pencil (Jim kept wanting crayons). We finally got Jim on the right track and we had our order in.
The Ompa music was playing and Jim couldn’t figure out who our waitress was. That’s because at Heitmiller’s they send everybody that works there to your table (that’s who it seems anyway). You will not want for anything because someone is always checking on you.
When the steak arrived Jim didn’t say anything…until he was finished eating.
If you want a good steak, good service and good entertainment and your close to Waco stop by Heitmiller Family Steakhouse.
by David C. Martin
The Vietnam Center at Texas Tech University is interested in any Vietnam Veterans organizations or Unit newsletters you might have. You may send them for permanent preservation to the Vietnam Center or save them and bring them to me at a Reunion.
The Vietnam Center
Texas Tech University
Box 4105
Lubbock, Texas 79409-1045
Randy Kunkleman
2395 N. Conant Road
Elida, OH 45807
419-339-3984
kunkleman@hotmail.comt
Jim Matthews
6743 Madison Avenue
West Mifflin, PA 15122
412-466-3557
jhmatthews1@adelphia.net
David Martin
170 Rabbit Shadow Trail
Whitney, Texas 76692
254-694-5529
david_m79424@yahoo.com
Two Scholarship Funds have been established in the name of Joseph Guy “Doc” LaPointe. The first is a scholarship for Vietnamese children from the village of TamKy. At the present time there are four students receiving assistance under this scholarship. Fernando DePerris has been doing an excellent job with this scholarship but we still need additional funds. Fernando personally delivers scholarship funds through the TamKy Veterans Organization when they return to Vietnam each year.
The second scholarship is for a Graduate student of Vietnam Studies at Texas Tech University. Beginning in January 2003 the Association will provide a $250.00 Scholarship for the spring and fall semesters. We will committee to Texas Tech University to provide a $10,000.00 endowment in the name of Joseph Guy “Doc” LaPointe in the year 2006. We really need everyone’s financial assistance that can afford it to make this a reality. By doing this we will ensure that there will always be a scholarship in Doc’s memory.
The Scholarship Committee will continue to work on ways to fund the scholarships and begin to set the criteria for eligibility for the US scholarship.
If you would like to donate to this worthy cause please send your tax-deductible contribution to:
Randy Kunkleman
2395 N. Conant Road
Elida, OH 45807
You may specify if you choose the funds to go to the Vietnamese Fund or the US Fund…the choice is yours!
Your help and donations in this endeavor will be appreciated and will help honor one of our own.
Ever thought about returning to Vietnam? Have you seen the outrageous prices offered by some tour operators? There is reason; each one of us has a reason, to wish to return. I can assure that it will be a healing experience. We have been there three times already, almost 100 veterans, wives, and children. No regrets.
Fernando De Pierres will be taking another group to Vietnam this year. He has received great reviews for these trips and there value.
Itinerary
15 May 2002
Depart Home, arrive to Los Angeles (LAX), group meets at LAX
16 May 2002 01:15 hrs
Depart LAX via China Airlines 747-400 at 0:1:15AM, arrive TPE 06:00AM 17 May
(depends on the wind, 12+ or 14 hrs) Depart TPE 08:00 via China Air Airbus 320
17 May - 19 May - GOOD MORNING VIETNAM !
Arrive Saigon (SGN) 10:30 AM, met by Huong Giang Travel representative. Travel by A/C bus to Huong Sen Hotel. Free time in Saigon. Visit War Remnants Museum, Danh Sin Market for War memorabilia, etc. Relax, recover, and recoup.
Evening - meet at the Rex Hotel Terrace for dinner (optional). Filet Mignon
with fries for $4.Else, at the Huong Sen Terrace for spring rolls. Plenty of excellent
restaurants and pubs within a block. Free time in Saigon. Optional tours to Cu Chi tunnels, Tay Ninh (Cao Dai
Temple), the Delta, Bien Hoa, Long Bin, Di An, etc.
20 May
Depart hotel enroute to Than Son Nut International Airport for early AM Flight to Hue. Vietnam Airlines Airbus 320 to Hue-Phu Bai (without a doubt, the best shopping is in Saigon, price wise. The hotel will secure any baggage you may wish to leave behind, no need to take everything north). Arrive Hue-Phu Bai approx.10AM. Met by Huong Giang Travel representative. Travel by bus to Saigon Morin Hotel, settle in hotel. Free time in Hue. A good time to take a cyclo and visit the Citadel, tour around the city (cheap)
21 May- 22 May
Free time in Hue. Tours (optional) of Camp Eagle and a tour of the northern AO: Quang Tri, Dong Ha, the DMZ/17th Parallel/Freedom Bridge, highway L9 to Camp Carrol, the Rockpile, and Khe Sanh. Visit the new museum at Khe Sanh. See Hmon villages along Highway L9. Return to Hue
23 May
Comfortable AM check out, travel by bus to Da Nang, crossing Hai Van Pass. Stop at the Lang Co Resort for refreshments, potty, etc. Arrive at Da Nang (China Beach) around noontime. Settled at the Furama.
23 - 27 May
Furama Resort (China Beach) Da Nang. Plenty to do here, 5 nights at the Furama Paradise
that you will not easily forget. The hotel package includes free bus transportation to Marble Mountain and the ancient Chinese settlement of Hoi An (a World Heritage site), $4 to get in, well worth it. Optional tours available for: My Son (ancient Cham period ruins); Cham Museum; tour Da Nang City (free Bus provided by the hotel); Tam Ky; Chu Lai, My Lai, etc.
At Tam Ky visit the headquarters of the Quang Nam Veterans Association, one hour meeting with former NVA officers (Liberation Forces). Lunch at Tam Ky Hotel (yes, there is a hotel now, even taxi service. Where were they when we needed them in ’69?).
28 May
Early morning check out, by bus to Da Nang International Airport for flight to Saigon. Arrive Saigon approx. 10AM check in at the Huong Sen hotel. Final day in Saigon, finish up your shopping. Pack your bags.
29 May
Au Revoir Vietnam!
Check out of the hotel; travel by bus to Than Son Nut for 10:30 China Airlines flight, Airbus 320, to Chiang Kai Shek International Airport, Taipei. Not much time in TPE until the flight to LAX. The duty free shop does not offer many bargains. Arrive LAX 11AM 29 May. Loose one
day, gain one day. Pilot will announce passing 1500 feet.
NOTICE: some connecting flights out of LAX leave much to be desired time wise. For East Coast Passengers it is normally the Red Eye Special. It is best to spend the night at an airport hotel and depart the following morning around 10AM. This, however, will add approx. $30 in taxes to the trip, not to mention the hotel cost. Arrangements can be made at the Marriott for about $99 per night, plus tax.
Cost From Departure Gateway (Los Angeles) $1,610
If you are interested in this year’s trip please contact:
Fernando De Pierres
504 West Elmwood Avenue
Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Or E-mail
uncleho2001@aol.com
We were able to tour the Vietnam Archives at Texas Tech University to see how our records and articles are being preserved.
Some members were able to give oral histories while at the Reunion. Remember you can do oral histories on the Internet or over the telephone if you like. Let’s keep them up since, at the present time our Unit has more oral histories than any unit that served in Vietnam.
If you haven’t checked out their new Virtual Archives you should! There is a link on our website and B Troop has over 800 items accessible.
Our speaker at the Reunion in Lubbock was Dr. James Reckner Director of The Vietnam Center and Vietnam Veteran. Dr. Reckner had just returned from a trip to Washington, DC to attempt to get additional support from Congress for The Vietnam Center.
We also were honored to have 1st SGT. Ray M. Thomas of the Dept. of Texas, 4th U.S. Cavalry Regiment (Memorial). On Thursday night he appeared in a World War II uniform. On Saturday morning he brought his horse and was in authentic 1916 Cavalry uniform including weapons of the day. This was quite a treat and I would like to mention that the 1st SGT. Took time from his family and did this out of love for the Cavalry. THANKS SGT!
The Banshee Gazette is the OFFICIAL PUBLICATION for B Troop 2nd 17th Cavalry Association.