What did I feel when I found this web site?

The best way to get hooked up is to sign the guest book, by filling in the blanks, if you were 327th Vietnam era Veteran, we will be able to add you to our 327th roster and it will also generate a automatic welcome to you that will tell you what is needed to post a page for you on the site.

The first e-mail listed below is an ABU troop from the 1/327th who has since hooked up, has helped to find fellow ABU’s. Bo sets a good example for us all, we all know how good it is to find anyone connected with the 327th as a whole. But finding your best friend or the guy in another platoon that you met once, but remember, is one the greatest feeling we can experience.

In addition to personal e-mails, we now have this “Blog” where you can pick a subject matter, send your thoughts that will maybe encourage a few of the troops reluctant to participate to come inside the wire.

---

There must be more brothers that get to the site than sign in. I know that when I found the site it took me a few days to recover. My pulse rate actually went through the roof. I remember it exactly, stumbled onto the site, fell of my chair, saw the first battalion tab, held my breath and clicked it. Went temporarily blind, recovered, clicked ABU and went straight away to the ABU trooper page. I found two guys I knew with their e-mail addresses posted. E-mail one and got a reply and it’s been a ball ever since. Ii must have looked at it a couple of million times before Ii signed in. At the time it seemed like a pretty big gap to cross. I’ll bet many just connect with a friend and never sign in to the guest book. So it is working for the 327th and that segment of users never comes to light. keep up the superduper work, I will continue to sniff out ABU’s

ABU
Bo Wright

---

Great to have a place to connect! Thanks,
SP/4 Dave Haynes ABU, and Above the Rest………

---

I was at Headquarters Company 1/327 assigned to A Company 3rd Platoon Infantry as a medic in 1969-70. I just found this web link tonight (with the help of my wife . . . as this technology is pretty new to me).

I can’t believe all the interesting information that is included here! There are names listed here in this website that were names of guys in A Company when I was there . . . “Frog”, Mackie, Gallagher (we called him Pig Pen!), Pickarski. I wonder if these are the same people?! They must be! I can’t believe this! I have been looking through magazines for 30 years hoping to read/hear about someone I knew over there!
Thanks for doing this, for making this information available.
I was known as “Doc” (just like most medics were).
Gordy “Doc” Nelson

---

I found this web site, by accident, about a year and a half ago while I was living in Costa Rica. I really want to thank you guys because I like any others were longing to find the men we fought and died with.

Your web site was a great help because most of the guys used only their last names or a nick name which made it allmost impossible to find them.

When I couldn’t remember a guys name I would look for my unit 1/327 and then narrow it down by company, and so on. During my search I came across the “Fallen Brothers” page and there were two names that I knew should be there. I was wounded in an ambush July 16 1969 and I remember that two of our men were KIA on initial contact.

As I went down the list by year (1969) I found the names of the Tiger Force Lt. (Johnny Eutsler) and a name that I think was the Tiger Force 60 gunner (Thomas Hempel) that I remembered were KIA on the 15th. The next name on the list was Rodger Brathwaite (Our medic) 7/16/69 then the next name is John Gertsch KIA 7/19/69. There were no other names for KIAs on the 16th.

I know that our 60 gunner and his assistant gunner were KIA the day I was hit. The gunner I remember very well he was “Gentle Ben”, but I only knew him as Gentle Ben….He was a small for his age but had the heart of a Grizly bear, and I know that is how he earned his nick name “Gentle Ben” like the TV series of the same name. Ben was the smallest guy in our platoon but he insisted on carrying the 60 which makes you a Big target, not to mention that it is a heavy load to hump. Sadly, for the life of me, I can not remember the assistant gunners name.

For a year and a half I’ve been trying to find “Gentle Bens” full/real name so I could write to you and have his, and the assistant gunners, names added to our “Fallen Brothers” list.

Yesterday I went on a trip with one of our brothers and he remembered Bens last name, Sullivan, so today I searched www.NO-QUARTER.ORG web site. I entered his last name, the date July 16 1969 on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. There he was, Benjamin Joseph Sullivan.

I respectfully ask that you add his name to the list of our fallen brothers 1/327 Co. D 101st KIA July 16 1969 Asu Valley.
I will continue to try to find the name of the assistant gunners full name so he too can be remembered on our site.
None of our brothers are truly lost or forgotten they just need to be brought home with the dignity they deserve.
ATR
Dave A. Shade

---

This site is the most phenominal site I’ve ever encountered, bar none. I’ve been wondering about most of these guys for 35 years now although I’ve seen a few of em around the world during my 28 years in the Army, 24 active and 4 rerserve in the early 70s. I retired in Yelm Washington as a master sergeant in December of 98. My career has taken me around the world several times but the most memorable tour of course was the first one with A Co 1/327 Inf Bn in RVN. The photos of my many freinds and brothers in arms brought back vivid memories, many good some not so good. All these heroes should be remembered with honor. I know I will never forget them.
Pete Hallas

---

Hadn’t written you in a while so I thought I’d drop you a line and bring you up to date.

Primarily I wanted to let you know that your website is helping to accomplish some good things.

If you recall, I sent you information on CPT Leonard T. (Tommy) Higdon who was the CO of Echo and KIA on FSB Bastogne in May of 1970. Well, CPT Higdon’s eldest son, also Tommy, contacted me a few weeks ago after having seen my posting on your website. He was 5 years old when his father died and I suspect has very little memory of him. I was the first person who knew his father in Nam with which he had ever communicated. Tommy was just seeking information about his dad.

I was able to send him a couple of photos which had his father in him. Also told him I would contact a couple of other people to see if they might have known his father better than I. One officer I was most interested in contacting was 1LT (in 1970) Buck Kernan. I had a feeling that Kernan knew his dad pretty well. The challenge was locating Kernan. He retired back in 2003 as a 4 star general and I had no idea where he might be living. I last spoke with him at Ft. Campbell in 2000, when he was there for the “Week of the Eagles” as XVIII Airborne Corps Commander.

I took a shot and sent a letter to the current commanding general of the XVII Corps, LTG Vines. I figured all those “general types” knew each other. Damn if it didn’t work. He contacted General Kernan who in turn sent me an e-mail this past week. Turns out that not only did he consider himself a close friend of CPT Higdon’s, but was there on Bastogne when he was killed. He told me that he would be more than happy to contact Tommy Higdon.

Another guy who had also made mention of Kernan was Don Kirby. He’s listed on the Tiger Force page. Don was Kernan’s RTO. He and I exchanged a couple of e-mails. Told him that if I could find Kernan I would pass his contact info on to him, which I did. Kernan also plans to contact Don.

Also, largely as a result of your website, I have made contact, and spent time with, two former friends with whom I served in Nam. Rick Rubright, from Akron Ohio, and Blas Montalvo of San Antonio, Texas. A year ago I flew back to Akron and spent a long weekend with Rick and his family. In April of last year he drove up to Ann Arbor, Michigan to join my entire family at my son’s graduation from the University of Michigan. Just this past month Rick came out here to California for a long weekend.

Blas and his wife came out to Reno for the 2003 reunion. Had a great time talking about days gone by and our time in Nam. We continue to stay in touch.

Thought you might like to know that your work, and the work of others on the website, was, and is, a very positive thing. Had I not stumbled upon your site I might still be “thinking” about contacting people, in stead of actually doing it.
Jim Hersom

---

I keep finding more about your site it is really top notch, and I think you guys should be very proud of the work. It is a haven for me at least, so many answers to so many questions, connections to memories to be exorcised and friends forgotten. The quality of the site is great.
Steve Black

---

Received from Steve after his writing the Mother’s Day Hill memories.

Finding this site, remembering who, when, what, seeing names and faces has done more then 8 yrs of therapy with the V.A.
Knowing that this did not happen in a vacume, that those guys did not die, or lose limbs were unbeknownest to any one but me and god, and that my feelings on this were probably shared by others, or respected by others has lifted a burden I cannot describe. Thank you all for this.

---

I just stumbled across this site, and wanted to let you know how great it is. My father is a Vietnam Veteran from the 23rd Americal Div., 69′-70′, and I wish more than anything that the great Veterans of the Vietnam war would have gotten the outpour of support and respect that we recieved today. Just wanted to let you know that you are appreciated in the hearts of many. It is great to see the “Warrior Spirit” preserved, alive, and well.
NO SLACK!
Sgt. Wyper,Robert
A/2/327th Inf.

---

Dale,

We’re working on the Lottery thing. Got a pool here at work and Wade picks one up, now and then. We all know he won the lottery at least once, don’t we. Plus, actually, twice. He got me. Quit laughing. We’re gonna do it yet. AND, WE SHARE! I sure do hope you are able to do both. I know I am repeating myself but I can’t tell you enough times how important you’ve become in our lives and the lives of so many others. You are the driving force for these guys. It has made a HUGE change in Wade’s life. He is happier than I have ever seen him. I don’t know that I should share this, but am going to. The day we did a search and found Ray Millard, it took a week for Wade to dial his number. I think they spoke for an hour. When he hung up that phone, he put his head on the table and wept with a relief and joy I can’t describe. Ray put him on to Jim Wilson who, I believe contacted you. That was about a year ago exactly. Don’t you EVER forget the impact you have. As for our visit…..Dallas is such a drive and you make it every day, if Ali likes to junk, that is up my alley, too. What ya think?
Vonnie

---

Dale,

Don’t mean to be redundant but thought you and your Point Team might be interested in knowing the impact of the website. A friend of ours (a police officer for the City of Breckenridge) just stopped in to tell me that the assignment given to his 17 year old daughter to interview a Vietnam veteran (Wade & family) earned her an A for her History class. I printed off Wade’s bio from the website (he declined to talk) for her and I filled out a written interview addressing the impact of the Vietnam War/Conflict on the rest of the family. I’ve told Wade many times, in order for the history books to be accurate, he needs to share the knowledge that only he and the rest of you have. It really hit home for this young girl and her classmates. Jim said many others have viewed her project and are “blown away” by what “they didn’t know”. Brittany has known Wade since she was a little girl. She is looking at him in an entirely new way and with a great deal of respect. We also shared some of the stories and poems with her. I repeat, do not ever underestimate the importance of the work you are doing!
No Slack!
Vonnie

---

I cannot believe the responses I am getting. The first picture is definitly my dad. I am going over tomorrow to see if he can identify any of the others. I feel like I am meeting a whole portion of family for the first time. I am going to show my dad the website and get my parents’ computer hooked back up so he can enjoy this reunion as much as I am. I was not born until after my dad came home, but I owe the men he served with a great deal of thanks. I am a teacher, and I do not know alot about the war and what my dad was up against. It was not until recently that I really started asking questions. We never made it to the Vietnam conflict in any of my classes. The war shaped who my dad is today, and I want to know as much as I can. I cannot express in words how much your response has meant. I feel like I suddenly have a whole list of new friends, but most importantly, a better understanding of my dad and the bravery he exhibited long before I was born. !
God Bless,
Angela Boggs Brockman

---

Finding this site, remembering who, when, what, seeing names and faces has done more then 8 yrs of therapy with the V.A.
Knowing that this did not happen in a vacume, that those guys did not die, or lose limbs were unbeknownest to any one but me and god, and that my feelings on this were probably shared by others, or respected by others has lifted a burden I cannot describe. Thank you all for this.
I just stumbled across this site, and wanted to let you know how great it is. My father is a Vietnam Veteran from the 23rd Americal Div., 69′-70′, and I wish more than anything that the great Veterans of the Vietnam war would have gotten the outpour of support and respect that we recieved today. Just wanted to let you know that you are appreciated in the hearts of many. It is great to see the “Warrior Spirit” preserved, alive, and well.
NO SLACK!
Sgt. Wyper,Robert
A/2/327th Inf.

---

Everytime there is a heart testing or heart breaking thing in my life related to making the choice to love or to protect myself, my brother visits me. He sometimes stays for days, sometimes for hours. He is always quiet, he is always gentle, he is always loving, he is always encouraging. He reminds me, “Love is all that matters.” This was our theme when we were children. He has remained true to that. He was an excellent soldier, did what his Nation asked of him. He and all you soldiers have a very special place with God. I am grateful to God that in my prayer time, in my time of tenderness and challenge, that God is with me and allows Reuben to be with me.

It was after prayer over a year ago, that Reuben encouraged me to look for his brothers and sisters online. I knew absolutely nothing about the 327th being on line and was totally new to computers at that level. From the time I made contact with the 327th, my entire life changed. The love and conversation that I did without for 37 years has been manifested in the brothers’ kind attention to me and to the sisters’ kind attention to me.

So you see, God loves the soldier. God loves them. And when they are off of the battlefield and healing–on this side or the other–they are with God, in Heaven.

It may be frightening to some, to hear or read what I am writing, but every serious change in my life, God has permitted Reuben to be with me. You see, I have a personality type that fits into basically one percent of the population, sometimes, when I am doing other things related to spirituality, I function within the five percent range. I have been used on the cutting edge of Love’s work all my life. It is a terrible and a marvelous place. I have always been behind enemy lines. But, God has been and is faithful. Just as God has been and is faithful to soldiers. Brothers and sisters all!

Some day, I shall write more of the journey in The Spirit of God before I was blessed to be in contact with Dave, Dale, Tom, Ed, Galen, Houston, Rene’, Martinez, Remirez, Valez, Wilson, Bliss, Ned, Sgt. Press, John Lewis, Suzi, Sharon and others! Without Reuben’s being in Heaven, being allowed by God to help comfort me, I would never have met with you. Never! Yes, God is Real, and has been with each and every soldier and is with each and every solder–those no longer on active duty, those struggling with the memories of Hell, those about to go on active duty, and those on the other side. At this time, I am blessed to be in touch with all of you. Blessed to meet and greet you and your hearts–tried and true–blessed that you all are the kindest, bravest of persons. Oh, yes, there is another rather shy person, Bunn Pate, who contacted me as well. All of these contacts from a soldier’s efforts on this side, culminating on the other side in continued love, continued courage, continued concern for all of us. I bow to God to think that all of this is so very possible, so very bathed in love. We are blessed, aren’t we?

I pray that all my brothers and sisters would be released from the pain of war. That all would be able to reach out and “feel” each other and share their wonderful creativity with all. I have met many of you, many. I have spoken with many more. My life has been enriched to the point of joy! At the mere mention of your names!

Love,
Reuben L. Garnett “Daddy Grace’s Sister & YOURS!!!
Elaine