2003 May-Jun

MEDEVAC 15th Med\15th FSB
Mike Bodnar
307B N Main Copperas Cove, TX 76522
1704 254-542-1961
E-mail: mbodnar27@juno.com

Sic semper tryanus. In other news, Secretary of Defense Donald RUMSFELD said, re: PBS: The News Hour realaudio file, at a briefing on Wednesday, April 9th: "The general who led our war of liberation, George WASHINGTON, once said: 'My anxious recollection, my sympathetic feeling, and my best wishes, are irresistibly excited when so ever in any country I see an oppressed nation unfurl the banners of freedom.' As we watch Iraqis unfurl the banners of freedom, today, all Americans share in their joy and celebrate with them." Only time will tell what the ultimate sacrifice paid by so many in American military service, and many of those that they were liberating, will bring.

A correction to the last Saber is the photo should have read "Emergency Room in Song Be," not "Son Be." Also, the photo should have been credited to MEDEVAC 17 Craig HOLLENBECK.

Dave REIGLE DOCDAVE1861@AOL.COM of Palm Coast, FL comments in SNORE's Guestbook: "My dad was with C Company 15th MED June '67-'68. He is still around in Beloit, WI. His name is Jerry and he retired SFC in 1982, Fort Polk." Norm ROBERGE NORMKARENN@AOL.COM from Turner, OR, also comments: "Co. C 15th MED Apr '68-Mar '69; Camp Evans, Quan Loi, Bien Hoa. Career 91C, Retired ISG 1989. Served w/ some great soldiers/people. Only a few: MATHEWS, GUNNELS, KRAUS, WATERMAN, CRAWFORD, BEALS, JACOBS, RIST, HUSTON, DORAN, ARMBRUSTER, LOPEZ, MOORE, LEGS, ROLAND, ALLEN, WOLLARD, GRANTHAM; Talk to me!!!"

Michael MAGRANE MIKEANDDONNA@HOTMAIL.COM of Amesbury, MA, writes, "Anyone know where or how I can get ahold of a friend from the Pittsburgh area?? His name is William G. OWENS. Was assigned to company 15th MED Bn."

The 2003 15th MED Assn. Reunion will be in Orlando, FL. All the latest from Reunion Coordinator Pat MARTIN: HTTP://www.veannarose.com Make your plans for the weekend of June 13, 14, AND 15 Now! <HTTP: _whatsnew.msnw?pgma rket=en-us> One of my ground pounder platoon sergeants, Jerry "Snuffy" ARMSTRONG C 2-7 Cav '68-'69 JCOMET2@ATTBI.COM e-mailed for all of the 1st Cav Assn: "Hello all. As I am sure most of you have now heard that 7 of our POW's have been found in Iraq, alive. The reason for this e-mail is that one of the POW's, CWO YOUNG, is from Lithia Springs, GA. My daughter Sherry went to school with him and it took on a more personal touch. She knew him quite well and every time I saw her she would ask me if I had heard anything new, while she was at work. Now I'm glad to be able to say to her that I have heard news, but she had already been informed. "Not since the Vietnam War has anything stirred my family as this has. I'm glad he is now safe, as well as the other six, and we now must wait for news of the six MIA's. Hopefully they too will be found alive and well. Garry Owen, Snuffy"

Ray A. HANSEN KEIKO@GBTA.NET sent e-mail to me and said: "Mike - I was with B Det., 27th MNT Bn., 1st Air Cav., on firebase Quan Loi from May, '69 to April, '70. I was referred to you by E. C. JONES, as he stated you write articles for the Association Saber newspaper.

"I had to have medical attention a couple of times while I was at Quan Loi but I thought I was told I was going to see a medic with an outfit that wasn't 1st Air Cav. Did you guys provide medical attention for my company or was it someone else? Thanks for your help. Take care."

I have no knowledge about any of that-I just flew on MEDEVAC and humped in the infantry-but if anyone reading this does, please contact Ray. He may have been referred to 15th MED, and inquiry to him may reveal whom else he may have been referred to. MEDEVAC crew chief Norvell (Ike) GODSIE, FARMERIKE@MYNRA.COM , Lynchburg, VA, whom I had mentioned recently, signed into SNORE's 15th MED Guestbook: "Am looking for pilots, medics, or gunners I flew with from Sep '69 - Sep '70. I need help from you guys to help process a claim at the VA. Also, need to find my gunner, Roy SMITH. Please help if you can. My e-mail address is included, or you can contact me at (434)851-5472; or snail mail: 1131 Tabor Rd., Gladys, VA 24554. Again Thanks, 'Ike GODSIE'."

'70 MEDEVAC and C 2-7 Cav medic Bill WALSH CPD9283@AOL.COM of Chicago, IL-although this more appropriately would have fit into the 7th Cav column-signed the 1st Cav Assn. Guestbook: "Still looking for Bobby PICANO out of Philly, Terry FISHER out of Weissport, PA, Stan KRIMSKY from Brooklyn, NY; and the usual suspects, Danny DADE from Lake Geneva, WI, Gary HALFORD from Prescott, AZ, Glen HINDLEY from Monticello, NY, and Richie CONE from Cincinnati, OH; all C 2-7 folks from '69."

Always remembering our 1st Cav troops on duty around the world; over and out.

FIRST TEAM!
Garryowen,
Mike Bodnar C 2\7 '69
MEDEVAC 1-7\70
SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE