Arizona Veterans Connection - Vol 1, Issue 2

Providing a forum for veterans to share information, resources, and events important to the veterans and their families of Arizona.

First Edition � Second Issue

Inside this issue:

Native American’s and Veterans being honored at Intel

Arizona Takes Shape

Luke Days Lightning in the Desert

Base Camp 2014

The Doolittle Raid:

Japan's Pearl Harbor?

Secretary of the Navy

Ray Mabus

On 26 March 2014, the Associa�on of the United States Navy

(AUSN) presented Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton with its first

Na�onal Award of Dis�nc�on for his leadership, commitment

and dedica�on in achieving a solu�on to the chronic homeless-

ness of military Veterans in the Greater Phoenix area.

“Mayor Stanton took ownership of a problem that is o0en ig-

nored,” said Charles Bradley, Na�onal President, AUSN, who

personally presented the award to Mayor Stanton. “Men and

women who served our na�on did not shirk their responsibility

to serve. This mayor made this a local issue and, with determi-

na�on and compassion, drove hard to a quick solu�on. He did

so with the same dedica�on to service that these Veterans

served us with, and for that our na�onal Veterans service or-

ganiza�on salutes him.”

Joining in the presenta�on were members of the City of Phoe-

nix Military Veterans Commission and other na�onal and local

officers of the Associa�on, including Phoenix residents Na�onal

Vice President for Membership Jon Altmann; Na�onal Vice

President for Re�red Affairs Stella Reyes and Phoenix Saguaro

Chapter Officers President Carol Culbertson and Lynn Benne>.

Altmann, along with AUSN local member Doreen Hamilton, are

also Commissioners on the City of Phoenix Military Veterans

Commission.

More than 400 AUSN members live in Arizona, many of them in

the Phoenix area. AUSN has been ac�ve before the Arizona Leg-

islature and has been successful in advoca�ng bills passed by

the Legislature and signed by Arizona Governor Jan Brewer in

the past few years.

The Associa�on of the United States Navy, located in the heart

of Old Town Alexandria, VA, strives to advance the interests of

the U.S. Navy and to protect the rights and benefits of its Sail-

ors. Formerly the Naval Reserve Associa�on, in late 2009 the

Associa�on grew to include all members of the Navy communi-

�es: ac�ve and Reserve; officer, enlisted and civilian; serving,

Veteran and re�red; and their families. Today, AUSN is the lead-

ing voice for America’s Sailors, a strong supporter of American

naval power, a leading provider of professional career develop-

ment and the largest advocacy associa�on in support of the

Navy and current and former Sailors.

The Phoenix Saguaro Chapter meets three �mes a year with

guest speakers from the ac�ve and re�red ranks speaking on

topics of concern to ac�ve duty, reserve, military families and

re�red service members. For more informa�on, email Chapter

President Carol Culbertson at: [email protected]

For more informa�on on the Associa�on of the United States

Navy, visit www.ausn.org.

By JON C. ALTMANN, ISCS, USN (Ret.)

From le� to right: AUSN Na�onal Vice President -Membership Jon

Altmann; AUSN Na�onal Vice President - Re�red Affairs Stella Reyes;

AUSN Na�onal President Charles Bradely; Mayor Greg Stanton;

AUSN Phoenix Chapter Vice President Lynn Benne> and AUSN

Phoenix Chapter President Carol Culbertson.

The Association of the United States Navy (AUSN) presents award to Phoenix Mayor Greg Stanton

The Arizona Veterans Connec�on’s purpose and goal

is to connect veterans and their families with infor-

ma�on and ac�vi�es of importance and relevance to

the veteran community. We will be diligent to provide

a pla!orm to share the history and legacy of Arizona

veterans, past, present, and future, ul�mately as a

resource to all who serve or have served.

If you would like to place an

advertisement in this publication,

please contact us at:

[email protected]

Or call 602-885-7038

Visit us on www.h#p://azveteransconnec�on.org/ - h#ps://www.facebook.com/AZVETCON

Marion Cartland

Publisher - Editor

Photographer

MGySgt Robert A. Flores USMC (Ret.)

Colonel Joe Abodeely USA (Ret.)

Herb Zinn, CAF Airbase Arizona

Senior Chief Jon Altmann

ISCS, USN Ret.

John Fontana

Arizona Art Alliance

David Carrasco

USAF Ret.

Staff Box

Contributors

Regarding the front cover of the

Arizona Veterans Connec�on magazine

The memorial sculpture stands in front of the Heard Museum the �tle:

Unconquered II, 1994,

by Allan Houser

(Chiricahua Apache)1914-1994.

On loan from the collec�on

of Tia © Chinde

Located at

2301 N Central Ave

Phoenix, AZ 85004

Arizona Veterans Connec�on Page 2

TEMPE, Ariz. (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus discussed the cur-rent global situa�on, energy, and sus-tainability, from a mari�me perspec-�ve April 24, at Arizona State Univer-sity's Global Ins�tute of Sustainability. ’The address, part of the university's Wrigley Lecture Series, examined the

close rela�onship between energy security and the Navy and Marine Corps' global presence. ’ During the lecture, Mabus spoke in depth about how energy is a strategic security issue. ’ "My concern, which I've raised in speeches and ar�cles and in countless discussions is, in part, about the na�onal and interna-�onal security implica�ons - the cri�cal geopoli�cal role of ener-gy," said Mabus. "As a security challenge, access to energy and fuel can be a diploma�c pressure point and can be, has been, and is used as a geostrategic weapon." ‘ Mabus also addressed the fiscal impact of energy on the Depart-ment of the Navy. ’ "Each $1 increase in the price of a barrel of oil results in a $30 million bill for the Navy and Marine Corps. This has huge impli-ca�ons across the Department of Defense and for our security.

DOD is the largest single ins�tu�onal consumer of fossil fuels on earth and budgets about $15 billion each year on fuel," he said. "But in fiscal years 2011 and 2012 price spikes added another $3 billion to the DOD fuel bill. The bills from that "security premi-um" can mean that we will have fewer resources for training, for opera�ons and, if the bill gets too high, fewer plaPorms like ships and planes." ‘ The energy goals Mabus laid out in 2009 for the Department of the Navy were also a topic of discussion during the lecture. "I announced five energy goals for the Department of the Navy in order to improve our energy security, increase our strategic independence and sustainability, and advance our opera�onal capabili�es," said Mabus. "We are going to meet these goals through a number of programs including a variety of alterna�ve fuel ini�a�ves and also greater energy efficiency." ‘ The lecture was followed by a brief ques�on and answer session with those in a>endance. ’ The Wrigley Lecture Series brings interna�onally-known thinkers and problem-solvers to the university to engage with current and future members of the sustainability community. ’ For more news from the Secretary of the Navy, visit ’ www.navy.mil/local/secnav

or www.facebook.com/Secretaryo0heNavy.

Secretary of the Navy Talks Energy Security at Arizona State From Secretary of the Navy, Public Affairs

Secretary of the Navy (SECNAV) Ray Mabus takes a selfie with midshipmen assigned to the Navy ROTC program at Arizona State University.

Arizona Veterans Connec�on

Arizona Military Museum

The museum impacts the military/veterans community and the general public through education and attendance and

response at patriotic holidays and veterans’ events. Museum hours: 1-4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. Admission is free.

Located at Papago Park Military Reservation

5636 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix, Arizona 85008-3495

(Entry at Main Guard Gate)

To schedule special group tours:

phone 602-267-2676 (message)

or 602-253-2378 (message)

Memorial Day 2014 Monday, May 26

Lest we forget...Lest we forget...Lest we forget...Lest we forget...

Page 3

Unsung Heroes My name is David Carrasco (United States Air Force/Re�red and Vietnam Veteran) and this is my story related to our “Unsung Heroes”, who are always loyal and there for their buddy. These quiet and obedient partners to a soldier are most o0en either ignored or forgo>en. These “Unsung Heroes” are four legged, tail wagging and furry, these are the military working dogs of the military. These heroes never carried a weapon nor held a rank but they were always the first to take a shot, or enter a building that might have hidden enemies or used to sniff out explosives. In March of 1966 the military working dogs were approved for use in Vietnam. By July 17th, forty teams, which was comprised of one soldier and his canine, had been deployed to three bases Ton Son Nhut, Ben Hoa and DaNang. This was only the begin-ning, by the end of the year there were 99 “Sentry Dogs” in country. By September of 1966 more than 500 dog teams were deployed to 10 Bases. In the 17 months between July 1965 and December of 1966 not a single Viet Cong Sapper Team ever pen-etrated a Base guarded by Sentry Dogs. I am honored to say that I was one of the 500 who deployed in 1966 and with me was my partner known as “Koenig”. In Sep-tember of 1966 I and 49 other Sentry Dog Teams completed our “Combat Training” at Lackland AFB, Texas. Upon comple�on of training we were shu>led to Kelly AFB, there we were loaded onto a C-130 and departed for Ton Son Nhut AB. The flight was lengthy and we had to make refueling stops in Hawaii, Philip-pines, Japan and onwards. To calm our dogs we gave them some pills to keep them from becoming stressed. On the morning of December 5, 1966 we landed at Tan Son Nhut AB. We began to remove our dogs and we were told to move quickly and we were taken to the kennels where we placed our dogs. We were informed that “Sappers” (enemy special assault troops) might be within the base perimeter. The Airmen who escorted us had a cast to his le0 wrist and when I asked what had happened he conveyed that Sappers made an a>empt to penetrate the perimeter but were killed. He sustained his injury from an explosion that took place close to the perimeter where they were deployed. As we fed our dogs and gave them fresh water I observed a sin-gle dog in the adjoining cage and no�ced that he had a head wound and I asked for his name and learned it was “Nemo.” As it turned out Nemo and his handler Airmen 2nd Class Robert Thorneberg were responsible from preven�ng “Sappers” from making penetra�on recently onto the base. Airmen Thorneberg was shot in the shoulder but “Nemo” was turned loose and a>acked the “Sappers”. Although severely injured and having but one eye, he con�nued his a>ack thereby causing grave inju-ry to the “Sappers”. Nemo con�nued in engaging the Sappers,

this allowed Airman Thorneberg to radio Cen-tral Security Control to have a rapid response team quickly respond, which resulted in 13 a>ackers, being killed. To show you how “Loyal” these dogs are “Nemo” as severely wounded as he was crawled back to his wounded handler and laid on top of him to pro-tect him from further harm. When the medic’s arrived, “Nemo” stood guard over his handler, but had to be subdued so the medics could aid his handler, who had to be flown out of country for treatment. On June 23, 1967 Air Force Headquarters directed that “Nemo” be returned to the United States with “HONORS”, as the first Sentry Dog to be officially re�red from ac�ve military service. At each point along the way he was given the same protocol that of a War Hero. Upon his arrival at Lackland AFB Texas, he was giv-en his private kennel with a direc�ve sta�ng that he would not be used in any military duty. Nemo died in December of 1972 shortly before Christmas and on March 15, 1973 he was laid to rest at Lackland AFB with full military honors. My Dog “Koenig” was also killed by friendly fire in April of 1967. In May of that same year I transferred to Pleiku AB and was as-signed to “Spike” but in November I was due to rotate stateside and another handler assumed command. In my 5 years of service with Sentry Dogs I saw and met many a brave dog and handlers, and to me they are all “Heroes”. When South Vietnam fell in April 30, 1975 all our troops came home but sadly under “Unfavorable Condi�ons” but the one thing that our government failed to men�on is: What became of our Sentry Dogs? Unknown to many, our government gave an order to “Euthanize” all Sentry Dogs and sadly few ever made it home. No official record is on hand but it was es�mated that well over a thousand were killed and their remains are un-known. Like any soldier, Military Working Dogs should never be forgo>en! By: David Carrasco


UNITED STATES AIR FORCE SENTRY DOG SCHOOL

LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, CLASS OF 1966

David Carrasco

Page 4

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The interior is decorated with vintage license plates, retro signs and a variety of an�ques add to the unique and intri-guing feel of dining.

Their menu features a broad selec�on and variety of Mid-west style home cooking and flavors, as well as daily spe-cials. The bar and grill is located on Papago Road 10 minutes south of Maricopa.

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USS PHOENIX (SSN 702) By Colonel Joe Abodeely, USA (Ret)

The USS PHOENIX (SSN 702) is the fourth American ship to bear this name. It was the fi0eenth nuclear powered fast a>ack sub-marine of the Los Angeles class. She was christened by Mrs. Eliz-abeth Harvey Rhodes (wife of Congressman John Rhodes) on December 8, 1979 and commissioned on December 19, 1981.

PHOENIX spent the first years following her commissioning con-duc�ng several vital deployments and exercises. In 1983, she operated in support of the USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) Ba>le Group performing oceanographic surveys and conduc�ng inde-pendent An�-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Opera�ons. PHOENIX then transited the Panama Canal eastward en route to Norfolk to complete her record seZng 203 day, 65,000 mile circumnaviga-�on of the globe.

During 1985 and early 1986, PHOENIX conducted four highly successful ASW missions in the Mediterranean Sea and North Atlan�c Ocean for which the crew was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commenda�on.

In 1987, PHOENIX was on deployment from February to May for which the ship was awarded her second Meritorious Unit Com-menda�on. In 1988, PHOENIX completed torpedo tes�ng and par�cipated in a FLEETEX (fleet exercise) in which she had the highest percentage of “hits” and “sinkings” of any other subma-

rine par�cipa�ng in the exercise.

PHOENIX conducted numerous deployments during the 1990s focusing on containing the Soviet Navy and ending the Cold War. Her final major deployment was in 1997. A0er 17 years of proud naval service, USS PHOENIX (SSN 702) was decommissioned July 29, 1998 at Norfolk, Virginia.

The USS PHOENIX Commission was a City of Phoenix commission established and appointed by then Mayor Terry Goddard in 1998 to preserve the memorabilia of the USS PHOENIX (SSN 702). The Navy has agreed to transfer the parts (sail, planes, and rudder) of the USS Phoenix to an approved sponsor of the City of Phoenix for use in crea�ng a memorial. The City of Phoenix Parks and Recrea�on Board has approved the placement of the USS PHOE-NIX Memorial in Steele Indian School Park. Much ground work has been completed regarding project de-sign, logis�cs, and budget es�mates. The project seeks con�n-ued organiza�on and ci�zen sponsorship to help bring the project to frui�on.

Page 5

Chester Nez, the last of the original Navajo Code Talkers, was to address a group of college students, Intel employees and others at a gathering to honor Na�ve American World War II heroes. Nez, 93, felt ill a0er arriving in the Valley from New Mexico on Tuesday night. The guest of honor was unable to make it to In-tel's Oco�llo Campus in Chandler on Wednesday a0ernoon, but those things happen when you're 93.

In Nez's absence, Ms. Avila told the story of how Nez and 28 other young Navajo men joined the Marine Corps and created a code using their na�ve language that proved to be unbreakable during World War II. The code allowed for secure communica-�ons that greatly aided the U.S. war effort. Judith Schiess Avila, who helped Nez put together the book that tells his story, "Code Talker," spoke on his behalf. Two other Na�ve American World War II heroes appeared in a video presenta�on. Bataan Death March survivor Tony Reyna was a prisoner of war for more than three years. Decorated soldier Sam Poblano fought his way from Morocco to North Africa and saw the hanging of Mussolini in Italy.

The gathering was arranged by Intel's local Na�ve American network with assistance from the American Veterans at Intel

and support from company management to honor veterans and to showcase the diversity of cultures represented among Intel employees.

Intel has several employee groups represen�ng people of vari-ous ethnici�es, or who have in common gender, country of origin or military service. The groups help the company diversify its workforce by reaching out to the community. The veterans group is among the largest at Intel, with about 4,300 veterans at Intel facili�es na�onwide, according to Rudy Hacker, a Ma-rine who heads Intel's Arizona veterans group. "Hopefully we'll do things like this with other groups," Hacker said. "In my opin-ion, the veterans group is the most diverse in the company be-cause so many different people par�cipate in the military at some point."

The a0ernoon included performances by Na�ve American sing-ers and dancers. The gathering was arranged by Intel's local Na�ve American network with assistance from the American Veterans at Intel. Gourd dancers performed during the event to educate the guests about their ceremonial dances. They invited Jack Holder a World War II veteran; who fought in Pearl Harbor and in the Ba>le of Midway, to dance with them.

Visit our Facebook page to view many photo albums from veteran events throughout the year as well as flyers for upcoming events, charity rides, helpful informa�on, and much more, at:

h#ps://www.facebook.com/AZVETCON - Be sure to “Like” us.

You may also request to have your newsle>er from your organiza�on or veterans group posted on our web page to assure a wide dissemina�on of informa�on throughout the state at:

h#p://azveteransconnec�on.org/

Native American’s and Veterans being honored at Intel


An amazing organiza�on of volunteer ar�sts are reach-ing out to our Arizona Veterans by applying the healing and therapeu�c quali�es art can provide. ’ The Arizona Art Alliance is commi>ed in the belief of "Enriching Life through Art”. ‘ Their many years of art mentoring handicapped and disadvantaged children including incarcerated boys ages 12 to 18 as well as seniors with Alzheimer disabili�es have resulted in an impressive list of successes. It was only natural to look toward helping our Veterans afflicted with the many invisible wounds of war. "The serious issues of Post Trauma�c Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Trauma�c Brain Injuries (TBI) was something our organiza�on of 4,000 members state wide could help", said the Alliance Founder, John Fontana. In January 2013, 15 Veterans par�cipated in our first class and a>endance has con�nued to grow in size to now requiring two art classes per month. Students are taught art fundamentals in drawing, composi�on, color mixing, perspec�ve and much more all the while in a warm and friendly atmosphere. Veterans are sharing their achievements and enthusiasm with other Veter-ans, resul�ng in con�nual growth. In the first quarter of this year our volunteer instructors have served over 80 Veteran art students and contributed one hundred plus instruc�on hours. "Students are eager to learn and have shown a posi�ve outlook and are not fearing to learn new techniques", said Rita Goldner, Veteran Outreach Manager and lead instructor.

Several posi�ve outcomes have resulted by increased confidence. A previously very �mid Veteran was restricted to menial and low paying jobs. Her increased confidence has reduced her fear of interviews and now has a higher paying job with promo�on poten�al. Another Veteran had "issues" with people being too close and required to have a table to herself. A0er several months, is now interfacing with other students and has shown a much improved disposi�on. Several have commented of their improved outlook on life. Thanks to a grant form the Arizona Depart-ment of Veteran Services, we are commi>ed to adding two addi�onal valley loca�ons In 2014 to be>er serve our Veterans. For more informa�on or to visit and sample an art class for Veterans only, or wish to help, call Rita Goldner or visit our website www.azartlliance.com.

The Art of HealingThe Art of HealingThe Art of HealingThe Art of Healing

Veterans come and join in a friendly and Veterans come and join in a friendly and Veterans come and join in a friendly and Veterans come and join in a friendly and inviting environment, learn about art and it's inviting environment, learn about art and it's inviting environment, learn about art and it's inviting environment, learn about art and it's

many joys with fellow Veterans.many joys with fellow Veterans.many joys with fellow Veterans.many joys with fellow Veterans.

Our volunteer art instructors are friendly and Our volunteer art instructors are friendly and Our volunteer art instructors are friendly and Our volunteer art instructors are friendly and capable. Enjoy the experience and therapeutic capable. Enjoy the experience and therapeutic capable. Enjoy the experience and therapeutic capable. Enjoy the experience and therapeutic

qualities art can provide. qualities art can provide. qualities art can provide. qualities art can provide.

For more information or to schedule a class, For more information or to schedule a class, For more information or to schedule a class, For more information or to schedule a class, call Rita Goldner, USNcall Rita Goldner, USNcall Rita Goldner, USNcall Rita Goldner, USN

atatatat 480 220480 220480 220480 220----3421, 3421, 3421, 3421, or go or go or go or go totototo www.azartalliance.comwww.azartalliance.comwww.azartalliance.comwww.azartalliance.com

The Art of Healing made possible by a grant for The Arizona Department of Veteran

Services and the Arizona Art Alliance Volunteers.

The Art of Healing

YUMA, Ariz. (NNS) -- Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus a>ended a ship naming ceremony for the future joint high-speed vessel (JHSV) USNS Yuma (JHSV 8) April 25 in Yuma's Gateway Park. ’ Mabus chose the name Yuma as a tribute to the residents of the Arizo-na city and their close �es with the military. ’ "The real reason we're here today is the people of Yuma," said Mabus. "For 86 years you have been suppor�ng military avia�on here in the heart of Arizona, and for 55 years you have been the desert home of Marine Corps avia�on." ‘ Speaking to a crowd that included Yuma's Mayor Douglas Nicholls, Mabus explained what the future may hold for JHSV 8. ’ "The ships we build today will be a part of fleet for more than three decades. Sailors not yet born will serve in her," he said. "With her abil-ity to operate in areas that might be otherwise inaccessible, USNS Yu-ma may well be the only part of America, and her Sailors the only

Americans, some people in the world will ever see." The future USNS Yuma will be built on a catamaran hull that can operate in shallow waterways. It will feature a flight deck able to support day and night helicopter and unmanned aircra0 opera�ons. JHSVs also have, according to Mabus, "a whole lot of space inside," an important aspect of future opera�ons. ’ "That space is what makes these ships so important for our future," he said. "It gives our Marines and Sailors an opportunity to come up with new and innova�ve ways of opera�ng. These ships will carry Marines across the vast Pacific, opera�ng with our part-ners and helping to build up our allies."


A Jeopardy final ques�on was asked: "How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Un-knowns?" All three contestants missed it! ‘ So, how many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?

The answer is 21 steps: It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute which is the highest honor given any military or foreign digni-tary. How long does he hesitate a0er his about face to begin his return walk and why? 21 seconds for the same reason as the previous answer. ’ . Why are his gloves wet? His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the �me and, if not, why not? He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. A0er his march across the path, he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder. ‘ How o0en are the guards changed? Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

What are the physical traits of the guard limited to? For a per-son to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5' 10' and 6' 2' tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30. They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a bar-racks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform or the tomb in any way. ’ A0er two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet. ’ There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt. There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror. The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone nor watch TV. ’ All off duty �me is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington Na�onal Cemetery. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred.

Among the notables are:

President Ta0, Joe Lewis {the boxer} Medal of Honor recipient Audie L. Murphy, the most decorated soldier of WWII and of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day geZng his uniforms ready for guard duty… ’ In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington, DC, our US Senate/House took 2 days off with an�cipa�on of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members as-signed the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They re-specPully declined the offer, "No way, Sir!" Soaked to the skin, marching in the pel�ng rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the high-est honor that can be afforded to a service person. The tomb has been patrolled con�nuously, 24/7, since 1930. ‘

The inscrip�on on the tomb:

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

ARLINGTON CEMETERY AND THE TOMB OF THE UNKNOWN SOLDIER

This compila�on of my Vietnam diary, le>ers, and memoirs is dedicated to my mother, Grace, and to my father , Edward, who helped make me who I was and who I am.

It is also dedicated to my wife Donna, who has been with me for nearly half a century through our trials and tribula�ons.

Lastly, and very importantly, this is dedicated to all who honorably served in the Vietnam War – especially the “grunts”- the “sky troopers” of the 1st Air Cavalry Division. Gary Owen.

This book as a real-�me account of a combat platoon leader dur-ing 1968--a most evenPul year of the war.

Available on Amazon.com

h>p://�nyurl.com/nl36rcx

The short link for Amazon: h>p://�nyurl.com/kdy5kxy

Also available on Barnes & Noble

Nook link:

h>p://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/abodeely?store=ebook&keyword=abodeely

Here's the short link for Barns and Noble

h>p://�nyurl.com/kdy5kxy

Dear Mom and Dad, Love from Vietnam


Author Colonel Joe Abodeely, USA (Ret)

Page 8

On Sunday, April 27, 2014, the 20th Annual Vietnam Remem-brance Day Ceremony was held at the Vietnam memorial in the Wesley Bolin Memorial Park. The event commemorated the date that the North Vietnamese forces overpowered the forces of South Vietnam a0er the U.S. withdrew in 1973 and the U.S. Congress stopped funding for logis�cal support to South Vi-etnam.

Numerous color guards paraded around the Vietnam memorial and wreaths were laid. The U.S. and South Vietnamese flags were raised, and David Carrasco’s seven person detail fired a 21 gun salute. Music was provided by the 108th Army Band of the Arizona Na�onal Guard, and SFC Vern West, USA (Ret) sang the Na�onal Anthem and played Taps.

Noel Benoist gave the invoca�on, and Bob Numkena (Hopi) gave a Na�ve American blessing. Guest speakers included Ted Vogt,

Director, Arizona Department of Veterans Services, Col Patricia Upah, USA (Ret), former nurse in Vietnam, and Kevin Dang, Pres-ident of the Vietnamese Community. Colonel Joey Strickland. USA (Ret), a Vietnam veteran and former Director of the Arizona Department of Veterans Services, was in a>endance to lend his support to the Vietnam veterans and Vietnamese community.

A0er the ceremony and the speeches, a>endees enjoyed ham-burgers, hotdogs, and cold drinks in the rotunda. Military vehi-cles and other militaria were on site to add ambiance to the oc-casion.

The event was coordinated and presented by the In-Country Vietnam Veterans Associa�on. Kudos goes to Midge Munro, George Notarpole, and Oscar Urrea for their coordina�on and presenta�on of the ceremony and related ac�vi�es..

Vietnam Remembrance Day By Colonel Joe Abodeely, USA (Ret)


Few Americans today know that 1942 marked the year the United States almost lost World War II to the Axis powers. Yet 1942 was a year of miracles for Americans, star�ng off with an offensive strike against Japan on April 18 that would have re-sounding implica�ons for the na�on in its struggle against the Japanese.

America and her allies were on the defensive in January, 1942. Germany dominated most of Europe. Germany and Italy threatened the United Kingdom in the Mediterranean and North Africa. Japan had carved out a massive empire in the Pacific, stretching almost from India's border with Burma east towards the Hawaiian Islands. Set well back within the borders of its expansive holdings, Japan's home islands were invulnera-ble to a>ack. Or so her military leaders represented to their Emperor.

Franklin Roosevelt wanted a retaliatory strike against Japan within days following the Pearl Harbor a>ack. He pressed his military leadership for a plan to demonstrate to Americans and their enemies the na�on's capabili�es to go on the offensive. Roosevelt loved airpower and wanted a bombing raid against military targets in Japan. The challenge was striking at Japan's home islands with naval and air forces possessing significant enough range and striking power to leave an impression.

In January, 1942, Navy Captain Frances Low (Assistant Chief of Staff for Submarine Warfare on Admiral Ernest King's staff) in-spected the Navy's newest aircra0 carrier, U.S.S. Hornet (CV-8), at Norfolk. While there, he no�ced that a por�on of the Nor-folk airfield had been outlined as a carrier deck to allow for simulated takeoffs and landings. A flight of B-25 Mitchell medi-um bombers made a low-level mock bombing pass over this outlined area of the airfield and it clicked in Low's mind: could these bombers operate from the deck of an aircra0 carrier? He took the idea home to Ernest King who approved preliminary planning under the leadership of Captain David Duncan, USN, King's Air Opera�ons Officer. The Dooli>le Raid, as it came to be known, had been conceived.

Mission leadership was as-signed to Lt. Col. James "Jimmy" Dooli>le. Mission parameters called for a fi0een ship raid, on April 19, 1942, opera�ng from the Hornet some 400 to 500 miles east of Japan. The B-25s would take off in 476 feet of deck space, each carrying 2,000 pounds of general purpose and incen-diary bombs and a crew of five. A0er delivering their payloads, the surviving bombers would head southwest to Chi-na where they would land at any one of five prepared airfields for refueling, then on to Chungking where the aircra0 would be turned over to the Chinese. Although dubbed the Dooli>le Tokyo Raid, the a>ack would hit military and industrial targets in Tokyo, Yokohama, Yokosuka, Nagoya, Kobe and Osaka, giv-ing the impression of a larger bombing force and expose more Japanese to the reali�es of war with America.

Volunteers were drawn from the 17th Bomb Group. Twenty-four of their B-25s were delivered to Mid-Con�nent Airlines for retrofiZng. Unnecessary equipment was removed to lighten each ship and allow for more fuel capacity. The volun-teers arrived at Eglin Field in Florida by March 1, 1942, where intensive training began under the direc�on of Navy Lieuten-ant Henry Miller, who taught the Army pilots how to take off in the confined deck space of an aircra0 carrier. Training was completed by March 27. Twenty-two aircra0 and crews took off and made cross-country flights to the Sacramento Air De-pot where their aircra0 were given a final going-over before arriving at Alameda Naval Air Sta�on outside San Francisco. There, sixteen of the B-25s were hoisted aboard Hornet and lashed to the flight deck. One of the sixteen was to be launched as a demonstra�on once Hornet was underway but this was scrubbed.

The Doolittle Raid: Japan's Pearl Harbor?

Lt. Col. James H. Dooli#le

The Plan: Take 16 B-25s, launch 400 miles out, strike tar-gets under the cover of darkness and recover in China a;er sunrise.

What Happened; Launch 700 miles out, strike targets dur-ing the early a;ernoon, and bailout over China in darkness.

B-25s parked aboard USS Hornet

by Herb Zinn, CAF Airbase Arizona


Hornet (with her escorts making up Task Force 18 under the command of Hornet's Captain, Mark Mitscher) sailed on April 2 and rendezvoused on April 13 with Task Force 16, built around the U.S.S. Enterprise, and under overall com-mand of Admiral William Halsey. Two submarines -- Thresh-er and Trout -- scouted ahead of the Task Force and provid-ed valuable weather informa�on at the target sites.

No measure of planning insulates a mission from the vagar-ies of fate. The Dooli>le Raid was no excep�on. Three fac-tors influenced the planned a>ack. First, while at Eglin Field, ground crews had carefully tuned engines to afford best fuel consump�on; however, mechanics at Sacramento Air Depot changed them back to factory seZng, and once discovered, �me did not allow for readjustment on all the B-25s. Next, the ground echelon managing the five airfields in China was given the wrong date for arrival of the bombers. The planners forgot to account for the effect of the Interna-�onal Dateline. Therefore, vital beacons and runway lights were not opera�ve when the Raiders arrived. Last, Task Force 16 was detected by a Japanese patrol boat, the Ni>a Maru, well before the intended launch point. Dooli>le made the call to launch early. They launched some 800 miles east of Japan and the 108 Army crewmen headed in at wave top level to their assigned targets, some four hours away. Once the bombers launched, Hornet and her con-sorts turned east for a high-speed withdrawal.

Thirteen Raiders arrived in two groups over Tokyo a li>le a0er mid-day and proceeded to strike at numerous military and industrial targets in and around the Imperial Palace. One aircra0, Number 13, damaged the light carrier Ryuho, anchored at Yokosuka Naval Base. The remaining three bombers hit Nagoya and Kobe. Osaka was spared because of intense AAA fire. Not a single Raider was shot down.

Fi0een aircra0 re�red southwest to China. One headed north to land in Soviet territory and internment. The early launch, compromised fuel consump�on and the confusion about when the Raiders would arrive at their intended land-ing sites combined to assure that none of the aircra0 would land safely. Eleven aircra0 crashed in China, four along the Chinese coast. Three men died in the crashes, one while bailing out and two drowned. The remaining ninety-seven

Raiders tried to evade cap-ture with the help of local Chinese ci�zenry, but the crews of Aircra0 Nos. 6 and 16, numbering 8 men in total, were captured. Three of their number were even-tually executed as war crim-inals, and the remaining five were imprisoned by the Japanese for the balance of the war. Eighty-nine Raid-ers returned home to a heroes' welcome. China's leader, Chaing Kai-shek, was concerned about Japanese reprisals for the Raid and his fears were well founded. Over 250,000 Chinese were slaughtered by Japanese forc-es as they searched for the Raiders in a 20,000 square mile area of China.

The Dooli>le Raid bolstered American morale when it need-ed it the most and sent a signal to the Japanese that victory in the Pacific would not be a certainty. Japanese military leadership was deeply embarrassed. The Raid altered Japa-nese expansion plans into the South Pacific aimed at inva-sion of New Guinea and Australia. Instead, they devised a plan to invade Midway Island and eventually the Hawaiian Islands, thereby pushing the United States back to its West Coast. This change in plans resulted in the Japanese catas-trophe at Midway on June 4, 1942, which became the turn-ing point in the Pacific war. Were it not for the Dooli>le Raid, then, the course of the Pacific conflict with Japan may have taken a very different path.

Today, only four Raiders survive: Lt. Dick Cole (Dooli>le's co-pilot), Lt. Robert Hite (sole survivor of the Raiders taken pris-oner by the Japanese), Sgt. Edward Saylor and Sgt. David Thatcher. On November 9, 2013, the Raiders drank their final toast on the occasion of their 71st Annual Reunion.

Lt Col James H. Dooli>le, USAAF (front), leader of the raiding force, wires a Japanese medal to a 500-pound bomb, during ceremonies on the flight deck of the USS Hornet (CV-8), shortly before his force of sixteen B-25B bombers took off for Japan. The planes were launched on April 18, 1942.

Army B-25Bs aboard the USS Hornet

"Herb Zinn is the Execu<ve Officer of the Commemora<ve Air Force's Airbase Arizona, located at Falcon Field in Mesa, Arizona, and writes frequently on topics of military history. This ar<cle is taken from a presenta<on he made at the 18th Annual Greater Southwest Avia<on Maintenance Technician Symposium at Chandler-Gilbert Community College on March 7, 2014."


Lt. Col. Jimmy Dooli>le (front row, le0) and the crew of his Aircra0 No.1 en route to Tokyo. S�ll surviving today are Dick Cole, Dooli>le’s co-pilot (front row, right) and David Thatcher, flight engineer/gunner( rear row, right), in addi�on to Robert Hite (co-pilot of Aircra0 No. 16) and Edward Saylor (flight engineer/gunner of Aircra0 No. 15).

The military takes care of its own, especially when it comes to recogni�on of service. The family of MSgt Marion Kiszczak with a special request contacted Captain Aubrie Jones, Opera�ons Officer, 56th Force Support Squadron at Luke AFB. MSgt Kiszczak who turned 91 on 14 April, was celebrated and hon-ored on April 26, 2014 at Luke AFB. He honorably served his country in the Air Force for 27 years during WW II, Korea, and Vietnam, and re�red on 31 July 1969. When MSgt Kiszczak re-�red he was not provide the tradi�onal re�rement ceremony, where the service member and family are recognized for their support to our country. The daughter of MSgt Kiszczak contact-ed Captain Jones USAF a0er Kiszczak a>ended the F-35 unveil-ing at Luke AFB, at which �me the MSgt commented that he regre>ed that he did not have a military re�rement ceremony.

This was a call to ac�on for his daughter to make the ceremony happen as soon as possible due to his terminal illness. MSgt Kiszczak has been diagnosed by doctors with a terminal illness

and was given only 2 weeks to live from the date of his birth-day. The sense of urgency to get the event together by the 56th Force Support Group and family helped to make this a reality. General Rothstein supported this request and approved making this day happen for the MSgt Kiszczak per the wishes of his fam-ily.

The ceremony took place on 11 April 2014 at the Naval Opera-�ons Support Center at Luke AFB. The re�rement cer�ficate was presented to MSgt Kiszczak, while his wife of 57 years, Jean, with tears of joy looked on with their four adult children and five grandchildren. Jean and their daughter Sharon were presented with bouquets of flowers and personal thanks from the United States Air Force at Luke.

A few of the special guests to MSgt Kiszczak's ceremony was Congressman Trent Franks, the Congressman's wife and 2 chil-dren as was the NOSC facility Commander, Captain

Michael DeWi> USN.

AzHFA Announces Change to Rural Mortgage Program That Will Benefit

Veterans and Military Personnel

Phoenix – The Arizona Housing Finance Authority (AzHFA) has approved a change to their HOME PLUS Mortgage Loan Origina-�on Program which will now allow eligible veterans and military personnel to qualify for a non-repayable grant for down pay-ment and closing costs assistance, equal to five percent of the ini�al principal balance of the mortgage loan.

The HOME PLUS Mortgage Loan Origina�on Program currently provides a compe��ve 30 year fixed rate mortgage with a down payment assistance grant equal to four percent of the mortgage amount for qualifying low and moderate income homebuyer families throughout the State of Arizona, though excluding Maricopa County and Pima County.

Qualified US military personnel, including qualified veterans, ac�ve duty US military, ac�ve US reservists, and ac�ve members of the Na�onal Guard may now receive an addi�onal one percent of down payment assistance for a total of five percent of the mortgage amount, when using an eligible Home Plus loan.

This issue was brought before the Arizona Housing Finance Authority Board of Directors at the urging of Arizona State Repre-senta�ve Sonny Borrelli (R-LD5). Representa�ve Borrelli’s proposal was approved unanimously by the AzHFA Board at their March 13th mee�ng in Phoenix.

“We want to thank Representa�ve Borrelli for bringing this to the Arizona Housing Finance Authority,” said AzHFA Execu�ve Di-rector Michael Trailor. “A0er sacrificing for our country’s safety and freedom, this is just one small way we can show our veter-ans and armed service members that they have our support.”

“A0er serving for 20 years in the US Marine Corps it’s now an honor to be able to work on behalf of our veterans and military personnel at the Legislature; however, I am very pleased that we were able to accomplish this change without legisla�on,” said Representa�ve Sonny Borrelli. “I commend the Arizona Housing Finance Authority for taking these steps to support our veterans and military members. This will certainly help these men and women realize the

American dream of homeownership.”

For more informa�on regarding the Home Plus Mortgage Loan Program, please visit

www.azhousing.gov or call (602) 771-1091.

It is never too late to celebrate


Luke Days "Lightning in the Desert"

On Saturday and Sunday March 15 and 16, there were many spectators in line for Luke Days 2014, many with lawn chairs and umbrellas for comfort and shade in prepara�on for the hours of staring into the sky, watching roaring aircra0 exe-cu�ng complex aerial maneuvers and demonstra�on flybys.

The air show, which had a theme of "Lightning in the Desert," closed on Sunday at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale with the same 16-eventschedule that had been flown for spectators for both days. The demonstra�on of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter jet capped both days with excitement and curiosity about the militaries latest jet fighter.

Organizers expected another big turnout of approximately 200,000, but when all was said and done, a>endance figures were in excess of 430,000 visitors during the 2 day event.

Luke Days, which has been held in odd-numbered years in the past, was moved to this year a0er it was canceled in 2013 be-cause of government sequestra�on. Luke AFB and personnel were excited about being able to put on the 2014 Luke Days to share with the community that supports them.

The spectators witnessed a special moment of the transi�on of Luke, which will be going from an F-16 to an F-35 pilot-training base over the next decade.

The first of the expected 144 F-35s arrived at the base the week before the air show in the “LF” aircra0 tail iden�fier. The F-35 is planned to be the primary aircra0 for the Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy for decades to come.

The aerial spectacles began in the morning with the na�onal anthem, which was cued to play when a cadet in the Air Force Academy Wings of Blue parachute team spread the American flag during a free-fall skydive. The rest of the Wings of Blue team then would execute their demonstra�on of jumping tech-niques, some falling together in mo�ons that le0 swirling trails

of smoke.

Pilots in F-16 Figh�ng Falcons showcased the aircra0s' ar�llery and air-to-surface a>ack precision by firing on the area sur-rounding an empty school bus. In a demonstra�on of close air support, the planes performed simulated a>acks on targets that surrounded the school bus, leaving the bus in clouds of smoke, but unscathed.

Between aerial events, spectators looking to stretch their legs could view more than 40 aircra0 like the AC-130, C-17A, KC-10 and a KC-135 from the Arizona Air Na�onal Guard sta�oned at Phoenix Shy Harbor airport. There were several aircra0 on sta�c display that spectators could go inside and tour. Lines stretched hundreds of feet from the entrances of aircra0 open for walk-in tours. Some of the spectators took advantage of the larger aircra0 by seZng up their lawn chairs in the shade that the wings of the larger aircra0 provided.

Droves of people ready for lunch later in the a0ernoon lined up in front of stands selling everything from "shark on a s�ck" to chicken tenders, burgers and brats. There were plenty of ven-dors to support the outstanding turnout for the event by spec-tators from all over the valley as well as visitors from outside of Phoenix metro area.

But all eyes at Luke were looking up when the featured Air Force Thunderbirds took to the skies in F-16s at 3 p.m. They were challenged by unexpected winds that had the poten�al of causing the cancella�on of the Thunderbirds demonstra�on, but the winds speeds subsided to a safe level that allowed the Thunderbirds to take to the sky in their exci�ng and thrilling aerial show, and they did not disappoint.

With the conclusion of this year’s show, everyone was already talking about what the next show will be like!


With an act of Congress and a law en-acted by the state of Arizona, an eight-foot tall bronze statue of Senator Bar-ry Goldwater will soon join 99 of the na�on’s most prominent ci�zens in Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C. The statue, publically unveiled in a special ceremony at the state capitol on Mon-day, will remain in the Capitol Muse-um in Phoenix for the next several months before being transported to the na�on’s capital.

The process to add Senator Goldwater to Statuary Hall began in 2008 with state legisla�on sponsored by Senator Adam Driggs, and later approved by Congress. Sena-tor Goldwater’s statue will join the sculpture of Father Eusebio Kino in represen�ng Arizona and take the place of John Camp-bell Greenway, which has stood in Statuary Hall since 1930.

The Na�onal Statuary Hall Collec�on is comprised of statues donated by individual states to honor dis�nguished people in each state’s history. The en�re collec�on now consists of 100 statues contributed by 50 states.

"I can't think of many people in Arizona who've had a greater impact on our state than Senator Goldwater," said Ken Benne>,

Arizona’s Secretary of State. "The Senator defined our poli�cal landscape with the same energy and spirit that he relished in Arizona's physical landscape. I'm proud that his likeness will soon take its righPul place alongside our country's most nota-ble statesmen, patri-ots and ci�zens."

The ar�st selected to create the statute was Deborah Copen-haver-Fellows of Sonoita, Ariz. Mrs. Copenhaver-Fellows is rec-ognized throughout the United States for her work with bronze and silver sculpture. Her produc�ons can be seen in corporate and private collec�ons, including the U.S. Capitol Building and the Reagan White House collec�ons.

“I’m grateful to have been selected for this pres�gious oppor-tunity to create a sculpture for our great state of Arizona to stand in the U.S. Capitol. I’m humbled to honor Barry Goldwater through his humanity, for his many talents and life achieve-ments.

He was a true renaissance man and one of the most respected and loved statesmen of a genera�on.

Craters and Freighters Phoenix, chosen to oversee the moving, cra�ng, ship-ping and installa�on of the Goldwater statue an�cipates Goldwater’s 2,300 mile journey to Washington to take about four days when it is shipped. "At 1,700 lbs., it’s not the heaviest thing we’ve shipped, but it’s quite unique,” said the owner, Dennis Davies. "We are honored to have been entrusted with a piece of Arizona’s history and be a part of this momentous event!"

By CATHERINE CALDERON

Cronkite News

Senator Barry M. Goldwater returns to Congress

Goldwater family members at the unveiling event

Ken Benne> unveiling the statue

For the Freedoms that we all enjoy…For the Freedoms that we all enjoy…For the Freedoms that we all enjoy…For the Freedoms that we all enjoy…

our Thanks go to the young men and women our Thanks go to the young men and women our Thanks go to the young men and women our Thanks go to the young men and women

serving in all branches of the military.serving in all branches of the military.serving in all branches of the military.serving in all branches of the military.

WE SALUTE YOU!

ARMED FORCES DAY 2014 - Saturday, May 17


A new exhibit, “Arizona Takes Shape”, opened Saturday, April 26th in the Arizona Capitol Museum. The Arizona Territorial Brass performed and The Rough Rider’s Historical Associa�on wore period uniforms. Both groups are from Presco> and made a rare appearance at the State Capitol. Celebrated author, histo-rian, and Arizona Historical Society Central Division Director, Dr. John Langellier, dedicated the Rough Rider Flag exhibit at Noon. Arizona Takes Shape exhibit explores how the Mexican Ameri-can War and the Gadsden Purchase shaped the Civil War and the crea�on of Arizona: ’ • History at Your Finger�ps, an interac�ve touch screen will allow users to get familiar with those who laid the groundwork for statehood by searching through thousands of digi�zed pages of historic Arizona newspapers on the Arizona Digital Newspa-per Project. ’

• Rough Rider’s Flag: carried by troops under the command of Theodore Roosevelt during the Spanish American War in 1898. Now housed in new state-of-the-art display case, the flag will be available to view year round. The new exhibit will be dedicated at noon. ’ • Learn the Address: par�cipate in this na�onal social network-ing project to have Americans record themselves reci�ng the Ge>ysburg Address. ’ You can visit this exhibit and many others at the Arizona Capitol Museum. The Museum is open Monday through Friday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Parking is free for Muse-um guests in Wesley Bolin Plaza at 17th Avenue and Washing-ton. For more informa�on, go to: h>p://www.azlibrary.gov/museum/events.aspx or call 602.926.3620. ’ For more informa�on visit the Arizona Capitol Museum online at h>p://www.azlibrary.gov/azcm

Arizona Takes Shape

Dr. John Langellier


Arizona Historical Society

Founded by an act of the First Arizona Territorial Legislature in 1864

In the early years of the Civil War, the United States Congress enacted legisla�on authorizing the Congressional Medal of Hon-or to be awarded to those soldiers, sailors and marines who dis�nguished themselves by their acts of valor in our na�on’s wars. Between 1862 and 1889, some 156 United States Army officers and enlisted men serving in today’s Arizona received our na�on’s highest military decora�on for valor. Since that �me, these Medal of Honor recipients would be joined by five of Ari-zona’s na�ve sons.

The story of these brave men will be told in an exci�ng new ex-hibit Above and Beyond: Arizona and the Medal of Honor, which is a joint project of AHS and the Sharlot Hall Museum. This trav-eling exhibit will be dedicated with a special invita�on only cere-mony on Armed Force Day May 17, 2014 at the Arizona Histori-cal Society facility on 1300 N. College Ave in Tempe, then from May 18 through November 2 will be available to the pubic be-fore it travels for the next two and a half years to AHS museums at Tucson, Yuma, and Flagstaff, and to the Sharlot Hall Museum in Presco> for six-month intervals. Admission to all AHS facili�es is FREE to honorably discharged veterans.

This important military exhibit is expected to a>ract ac�ve duty and military veterans and their families, military historians, and a general public with an interest in military history. The medal awarded by Congress to Chiquito, an Apache Indian Scout who served in Arizona during the Indian Wars is on loan by its owner and will form the centerpiece of the exhibit, presen�ng an op-portunity to inform the public on the important role of the Apache scouts in that conflict. Our special guests for the open-ing invita�on only 4PM-6PM ceremony are Colonel J.R. Vargas and Colonel Fred Ferguson, both Medal of Honor recipients, along with a USMC Color Guard and the 108th US Army Na�onal Guard Band, to ensure the exhibit begins in a proper manner. The exhibit opens the following day to the general public.

For details contact John Langellier at [email protected] or (480) 929-0292 x. 123.

Also visit the Arizona Historical Society at:

h>p://www.arizonahistoricalsociety.org/

Page 15

The purpose of Base Camp is to provide a camp site for veter-

ans, to enjoy camaraderie, to shoot, and to share experiences.

The weather and the scenery were beau�ful this year. The Palo

Verde trees and the Creosote bushes were in bloom and even

some of the Saguaro cac� were star�ng to bloom some flowers.

Base Camp 2014 occurred Friday, Saturday, and Sunday-- the

first weekend of April as it has for decades. So, what is Base

Camp? It is a gathering out in the desert on 10 acres owned by

Colonel Joe Abodeely, USA (Ret) and his wife, Donna, who live

in a Spanish colonial style house on the north end of the far

west 5 acres southwest of Maricopa, Arizona..

Base Camp has military ambiance with bunkers/figh�ng posi-

�ons simula�ng a firebase or a line unit’s perimeter defense

camp. Some wore military apparel. There is also a shoo�ng

range, a stage with electrical hook ups, a latrine with two flush

toilets and a double sink for washing up, a nine story tall flag

pole, a 35 foot high guard tower, and a trailer used as a chow

hall and can�na.

As early as Tuesday, Richard, an Army Vietnam veteran, and his

wife, Virginia, arrived from Black Canyon City and set up their

travel trailer. Wednesday and Thursday, more campers and RVs

arrived to camp out. Many vehicles or camp sites had American

and unit flags. By Friday, Steve Surface, a Marine in Vietnam,

and some of his buddies arrived and set up camp. Later on in

the day, Howard Palmer, Army Vietnam veteran, brought his

trailer in and set up camp. Ron, an Air Force Vietnam veteran,

came from Clarkdale and set up his campsite. Mark Gus�n, a

Marine, and friends and family, set up a large camp site with a

large dug out fire pit.

Doctor Dana Mya# and her husband, Mark (a nurse) arrived

from Snowflake in a large motor home. David Carrasco, Air

Force Vietnam veteran, and his honor guard arrived and set up

for Saturday’s ac�vi�es. Marion Cartland, Editor of the Arizona

Veterans Connec�on also arrived on Friday. Billy, a Marine in

Vietnam, and his buddy, Dennis, Army transporta�on in Vi-

etnam, arrived from Tucson and set up camp. Susan French, a

professional ar�st and a former crew chief and aircra; instruc-

tor in the 1st Cavalry in the 1980s, came from Tucson to experi-

ence the event.

Colonel Joe made an effort to walk around the camp to greet all

who arrived. Rod Huber, a Navy Vietnam veteran, came to the

event to serve as cook and bartender. Ron and Colonel Joe

went to the store in Maricopa and got the groceries for chili,

condiments, cornbread, and a green salad. Ron started cooking

the chili on Friday in the “can�na” as several of the crowd sat

around and imbibed of alcoholic beverages.

Saturday morning was the day of the ceremony. Lam Bui, own-

er of Complete Print Shop and a Vietnamese Ranger in the war,

and Colonel Vu Dam, a Vietnamese Air Force pilot, arrived with

other Vietnamese soldiers, sailors, and airmen and wives and

children. Kevin Dang and Mai Le, President and Vice President,

respec�vely, of the Vietnamese community also a#ended.

Colonel Joey Strickland USA (Ret), a two tours Vietnam veteran,

and Betsey Bayless, former Chairperson of the Maricopa County

Board of Supervisors and Secretary of State and long �me sup

porter of Vietnam veterans, arrived and were seated on the

stage.

David Carrasco organized the honor guard with American and

Vietnamese veterans who had seven M-1rifles. Col Joe gave

the order to raise the colors, and the flag detail raised the

U.S., POW-MIA, and Republic of Vietnam flags as a DVD player

with a loud speaker presented the Vietnamese and U.S. Na-

�onal Anthems. At the conclusion of the anthems, the honor

guard presented a 21 gun salute (the seven rifles fired three

�mes).

The crowd of about 60 people seated themselves on the

wooden bleachers. Joey Strickland spoke about patrio�sm

and Vietnam service. Betsey spoke about her chagrin the way

Vietnam veterans were treated as she knew many of them.

Colonel Joe presented Betsey a patrio�c wall emblem with

the various service seals on it.

Kevin and Mai Le spoke about their gra�tude to be in Ameri-

ca. Lam also spoke of his gra�tude to be in America and his

apprecia�on for the Americans who fought for his country.

These Vietnamese speakers were boat people or refugees.

Colonel Joe reiterated how the U.S. military had won the war

but the poli�cians reneged on their promise to con�nue logis-

�cal support to South Vietnam a;er the peace accords in Jan-

uary 1973.

Doug Zimmerman, a Vietnam combat veteran and now an

a#orney, arrived when the speeches were done. Many of the

a#endees went back to their camps, but some went into the

can�na as “chow” was being served. Rod made great chili

and cornbread and salad. And people started drinking. Jon

Trachta, a high school classmate of Colonel Joe’s arrived at

the can�na, and he and others reminisced about Vietnam

ba#les and loca�ons. Jon is a lawyer and mediator now, but

he was a Marine aviator flying F-4 Phantoms in Vietnam.

Later, on Saturday night, DJ and his band arrived and played

great music. There was singing and dancing and drinking. In

each of the camps, old soldiers shared stories, and the more

they drank the be#er the stories got. But they stayed at Base

Camp and were not out on the road. There were several camp

fires and there were spot lights on the three flags blowing in

the gentle breeze. The silhoue#es of the flags danced on the

nearby hill in the background.

The next morning, Rod cooked scrambled eggs with green

onions and bacon. Raceway Bar and Grill provided biscuits

and gravy to add further ambiance to the gathering of military

veterans. We had an affec�onate name for biscuits and gra-

vy—“SOS”.

A;er breakfast, Billy and Dennis struck two of the flags leav-

ing the U.S. flag s�ll flying. Base Camp was over and people

went home. It was a great Base Camp, and people who had

never been there before were greatly impressed. Base Camp

is a feeling and a personal remembrance. We’re all geQng

older and some are dying off, but we’re going to do it as long

as we can. Base Camp is an event that really cares about Vi-

etnam veterans.

BASE CAMP 2014

BY

COLONEL JOSEPH E. ABODEELY, USA (RET)



The 5th Na�onal Armed Forces FreedomRide Arizona is an annu-al fundraiser for MAM. This year’s team is once again energized and ready to put together one of the largest na�onwide event/rides taking place on May 17th 2014. All funds raised will benefit the Military Assistance Mission, an organiza�on dedicated to provide financial and morale aid to our current Arizona ac�ve duty military, their families, and wounded warriors regardless of overseas deployment status. Since 2010 we have raised more than $23,000.00 for our Military, their families and our wounded warriors. Some of our supporters are Chester’s Harley Davidson, American Legions, VFW, Mike Broomhead and Jim Sharpe from KFYI, KDKB Fitz Madrid, KUPD Ruby Cheeks, Arizona Republic,

Congressmen Ben Quayle, Dean Mar�n, Ken Benne>, Law Ti-gers, E6 Energy, Liberty Mutual, Chuck Franklin Law, POW, MIA, KIA Honor Guard, Aurora the Eagle from Liberty Wildlife, Tank the Marine Dog and CEO Margy Bons from MAM Arizona.

Registra�on and check in at 8:00/10:30 am

Starts at American Legion Post 1 Phoenix

Free Pancake Breakfast at 7:30 am

Ride stops at Post 84 in Sacaton,

Post 9 Florence, Post 27 Apache Junc�on

Ends at Post 2 in Tempe doors open at 11 am

Free lunch to those who ride

Sponsored by Post 2

If you can’t make this event, but would like to make a dona�on:

h>p://mad4vets.org/index.php

Robin “Skeeter” Peak Arizona State Ride Coordinator

Upcoming Events Around the State

Arizona Military Women's Luncheon

from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 17 in the conference rooms of

the Carl T. Hayden VA Hospital. For informa�on or to make

reserva�ons call Linda Fulkersonat 480-833-9680.

2nd Annual High Country Stand Down May16th – 17th, 2014 in Flagstaff. Flagstaff armory,320 N. Thorne Road. Registra�on open all day. Event is open to the public all day, but veterans only a0er 5 pm. Saturday, May 17th – American Legion Post 3 204 Birch Ave, Veteran supplies distribu�on from 8 am to 3 pm 11 am – Armed Forces Day Parade. For more informa�on contact: Philian Tree, Assistant to Coconino County Supervisor Mandy Metzger, phone 928-679-7141

The Pioneers’ Cemetery Associa�on and the City of Phoenix

and Recrea�on Department present the

31st annual Memorial Day Observance at the historic

downtown Phoenix Cemeteries.

Monday, May 26, 2014 at 9 am

Pioneer & Military Memorial Park

14th Avenue & Jefferson, Phoenix

Honor Flight Arizona

2014 West Valley Benefit Golf tournament Palm Brook Country Club, 9350 W. Greenway Road, Sun City, AZ Saturday, June 14, 2014 Flying World II veterans to their memorial in Washington D.C. For more informa�on visit: www.honorflightaz.com Or email us at honorflight2014@cox,net West Valley Golf Tournament Coordinator 26172 N. 68th Dr., Peoria, AZ 85383 —602-572-5285

VAREP is hos�ng a Veteran Housing Summit May 17th @ 9:00 am that will allow valley Veterans a unique opportunity to learn how to use their VA benefits when buying a home with no down payment and how to get closing cost assistance. This informa-�ve summit will allow Veterans to get pre approved on the spot and on a path to homeownership. Please help us spread the details of this event with all of the Veterans in your life. Veterans can register at www.VeteransHousingSummit.com.

Navy Waves celebrate their 72 birthday

Saturday, July 26th at 10:30 am in the VA Medical Center Base-ment in 650 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85012 Memorial Day Ceremony

Monday, May 26th 2014 at 8 am Na�onal Memorial Cemetery of Arizona 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd, Phoenix May is Mental Health Awareness Month

The Veterans’ Mental Health Advocacy Council will be hos�ng an Awareness Day May 15th.

Resources from both the VA and community will be available in the hall between the main building and the ACC from 8-2pm.

NAMI will give an “In Our Own Voice” presenta�on in the ACC Basement Southwest Conference Room from 12-1pm.

4th Annual Memorial Day Ride & a;er party at Westgate

Saturday, May 24, 2014 Sanderson Ford

In honor of our fallen American hero's and in support of our Gold Star Families—"PGR ASSISTED RIDE"

8 - 10 AM: Ride Registra�on opens

STARLINER DINER $25 1 biker/ $40 - 2 UP 5111 W. Maryland Ave., Glendale

10:30 am kick stands up & ready to roll Honor Stop: Na�onal Memorial Cemetery, 23029 N. Cave Creek Rd., Phoenix Ride Finish - 12 PM - 3 PM at at Westgate

6715 N. Sunset Blvd., Glendale May 26th - Memorial Day Ceremony In front of the WWII Memorial on Litchfield Elementary School Grounds (open to public). The City of Litchfield Park will re-member the men and women who died while serving the Unit-ed States Armed Forces with a Memorial Day ceremony. The event is expected to last approximately 30 minutes and will include the placing of floral tributes at the memorial in honor of the brave men and women who died while serving our country.

Monday May 26 - 0900 Sunland Memorial Park, 15826 Del Webb Blvd., Sun City West. NWVVA Annual Memorial Service followed by lunch. Sheriff Joe will be speaker!


USS Arizona Memorial Stamp Commemoration

Pearl Harbor survivor commemorates stamp honoring USS Arizona Memorial. By Kirsten Kraklio /Cronkite News ‘ PHOENIX – It’s been more than seven decades since the Japanese a>ack on Pearl Harbor, but 91-year-old Albert Thomas’ memories of that day haven’t dimmed. He wants to make sure other Americans don’t forget the details either. ’ The Mesa resident visited the state’s World War II memorial Tues-day to help commemorate a USS Arizona Memorial postage stamp. “It is the best pictorial adver�sing that we can get for people to re-member the events that took place at Pearl Harbor,” Thomas said. Cos�ng $19.99, the stamp will be used on U.S. Postal Service Priority Express envelopes. ’ About 25 commemora�ve stamp designs are released every year, chosen out of tens of thousands of sugges�ons based on whether the subject is contemporary, �mely, relevant, interes�ng and educa-�onal. “Not everyone has an opportunity to visit Hawaii and see the USS Arizona Memorial in person, but with this stamp they will be reminded of what it stands for,” said U.S. Postal Service Manager John Morgan. “Let this stamp serve as a small reminder of the sacri-fices made by the brave sailors of the USS Arizona and achieve the same goal as the memorial it depicts: to always remember the Ari-zona,” he added. Thomas, who served as an Army pilot, said he re-members finishing breakfast in the mess hall and walking out to the pa�o when he saw a mustard-colored Japanese airplane fly over on a bombing run. “He was low enough, when he looked out of the cockpit I could see that he didn’t have his goggles over his eyes, that his goggles were over his forehead meaning the cockpit was closed,” he said. There were tanks nearby but no ammuni�on to fire on the a>ackers, Thomas said. ’

“At that �me our units were sca>ered everywhere,” he said. “We had no company officers.” Thomas has returned to Hawaii and the res�ng place of the USS Arizona a number of �mes and plans to return for the anniversary of the a>ack this December. ’ “I want to honor the Pearl Harbor survivors that are no longer with us,” he said. “May they be remembered down to the last man. I say to them, rest in peace brothers, rest in peace.” ’ The stamp: ’ • What it is: A commemora�ve stamp depic�ng the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii. ‘ • Uses: Cos�ng $19.99, it will be used on U.S. Postal Service Priority Express envelopes. ’ • How it was picked: The Ci�zens’ Stamp Advisory Commi>ee, made up of a maximum of 15 people, selects around 25 new subjects to be designed as stamps. The commi>ee receives tens of thousands of recommenda�ons annually.


U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs;

http://www.va.gov/

Benefits: 1-800-827-1000

Health Care: 1-877-222-VETS (8387)

Veterans Crisis Line: 1-800-273-8255 Press 1

Arizona Department of Veterans Affairs;

https://dvs.az.gov/

1335 North 52nd Street, Room M5710 Phoenix, AZ 85008

Phone: 602-629-4380 Fax: 602-627-3275

Veterans Employment and Training Service

(VETS); http://www.dol.gov/vets/

DVET Michael Espinosa; [email protected]

Phone: (602) 542-2515

VPA DeeAnna Bratton; [email protected] ;

Phone: (602) 542-2516

ADVET Jesus Arrieta; [email protected] ;

Phone: (602) 542-2515 Fax: (602) 542-4103

Veterans' Employment and Training Service

1400 West Washington Street, Suite 123

Phoenix, Arizona 85007

The Official Benefits website of the U.S. government;

http://www.benefits.gov/

U.S. federal government website for information on disabil-

ity programs and services nationwide;

https://www.disability.gov/

Military One Source;

https://www.militaryonesourceeap.org

1-800-342-9647.

TRICARE health care program for service members

(active, Guard/Reserve, retired) and their families;

http://www.tricare.mil/ ;

(1-877-988-9378)

Military Service and Social Security

www.socialsecurity.gov or call toll-free, 1-800-772-1213

(for the deaf or hard of hearing,

call TTY number, 1-800-325-0778).

If you became disabled while on active military service on

or after October 1, 2001, visit www.socialsecurity.gov/

woundedwarriors to find out how you can receive expedit-

ed processing of your disability claim.

National Contact Center; If you have a question about

federal agencies, programs, benefits, or services

http://www.usa.gov/ 1-800-FED-INFO (333-4636)

HealtheVet is VA’s online personal health record

https://www.myhealth.va.gov/

BenefitsCheckUp is free service of the National Council

on Aging (NCOA), a nonprofit service and advocacy organ-

ization in Washington, DC.

https://www.benefitscheckup.org/

Help for Homeless Veterans;

http://www.va.gov/HOMELESS/ 1-877-4AID-VET

1 (877)424-3838.

Center for Women Veterans

https://dvs.az.gov/women-vets

Beneficiaries in receipt of Pension Benefits

1-877-294-6380

Debt Management Center (Collection of Non-Medical

Debts) 1-800-827-0648

Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department

of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) 1-800-733-8387

Children of Women Vietnam Veterans (CWVV)

1-877-345-8179 (or) 1-888-820-1756

Foreign Medical Program (FMP)

Spina Bifida Health Care Program

Education (GI Bill) 1-877-222-8387

Health Care Benefits 1-888-442-4551

Veterans Crisis Line 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255)

Combat Call Center

1-877-WAR-VETS ( 877-927-8387)

Life Insurance:

Service members and/or Veterans Group Life Insurance

Program 1-800-419-1473

All other VA Life Insurance Programs 1-800-669-8477

Mammography Helpline

1-888-492-7844

Women Veterans Hotline

1-855-VA-WOMEN (829-6636)

Center for Women Veterans

http://www1.va.gov/womenvet/

Phoenix Downtown office 3333 North Central Avenue,

Suite 1052 Phoenix, AZ 85012, 602-627-3261

Services and Resources for Veterans and Family Member's


Documents

Arizona Veterans Connection - Vol 1, Issue 2