282nd ASSAULT HELICOPTER CO.

I have been informed we lost another special Brother on June 29, 2020 from the 282nd AHC: Al Schibi (Pilot AC 7 67-68). Rest in peace Brother. Our deepest sympathy to all his family.

Happy Veteran's Day to all my Brothers of the 282nd. Have a great day and Welcome Home Brothers.

    We have lost another great Brother of the 282nd AHC. Robert "Robbie" Benson (Black Cat 12, 67-68) passed away November 6, 2020 while in the hospital in Dothan, Alabama. Our deepest sympathy goes out to all his family. Rest in peace Brother.

Steve Sneed called me a few minutes ago and informed me that Mike Sizemore's wife Ann passed away. Steve wasn't sure if she passed away yesterday or today. Ann had been battling an illness for a long time and she fought a tough fight. Mike has requested no cards or flowers be sent and we will honor his wishes. Our condolences to Mike and his family. Ann is no longer suffering and may she rest in peace. Her service will be a virtual service.

Just received notice that Robert C. Wood passed away February 22, 2013 from cancer as a result of Agent Orange. Robert was a crew chief 67-69. Our condolences to the Wood family. Rest in peace Brother.

It is with a sad heart that I inform all the 282ndAHC Black Cat family that Phil Johnson of Waterville, Washington passed away August 9, 2020 after an enduring battle with multiple cancers. Phil serve as a crew chief Alley Cats 68-69. Our condolences to the Johnson family. Graveside service will be held Friday, August 21, 2020 at 2:00 pm at the Waterville Cemetary, 523 E. Elm Street, Waterville, Washington 98858. In lieu of flowers donations can be made in Phil's to:

Waterville Ambulance

PO Box 400

Waterville, Washington 98858 or

Confluence Health Foundation

731 N Chelan Ave.

Wenatchee, Washington 98801

It is with a sad heart that I am reporting to all our 282nd AHC family Al Navarro passed away yesterday April 23, 2020. Our prayers are with his wife Ernie, and all his family. My he rest in peace with all our Brothers who have gone before him.

Received a message from Letta Staggs, she took Jerry to the hospital yesterday not knowing if he had a mini stroke. He is in the VA hospital in Dallas and they are doing a battery of tests to see what is going on. Will post updates when I receive them. Lets say a prayer for a speedy recovery for Jerry 

Today, March 29, is National Vietnam Veterans Day

To those who returned with no one to greet them.

To those who have been told PTSD would go away in time.

To those who have never been told thank you of officially welcomed home.

To those who returned phyically but still are haunted by the nightmares of war.

To those who still react to a backfire & break a sweat at the sound of a chopper.

To those who have traveled endlessly never letting roots take hold or settled down.

To those who hear a familiar song that takes you back to a place you'd rather forget.

To those who can count the friends they have on one hand for fear of losing another.

To those who suffer from Agent Orange exposure & are still fighting the last battle.

To those who fought battles in steaming jungles of Vietnam & also here at home.

To those who have more friends on the Vietnam Memorial Wall than they do in this life.

                                     THANK YOU

                                 WELCOME HOME BROTHER

I want to pass along some more sad news I just received today. Dean "Bob" Coder passed away November 1, 2019. Our deepest sympathy goes out to all his family. May he rest in peace with all his fallen Brothers.

I just received an email that William "Bill" Roche (Pilot 69) of the 282nd AHC passed away August 18, 2019 and Mrs. Roche passed away November 23, 2019. Let's all put the Roche family on our prayer lists over their great loss this difficult time. Rest in peace Brother

We just received notice that one of our Brothers, Michael Doyle, (68 Pilot CD 6) passed away October 24, 2019. Our deepest sympathy to his family. Rest in peace Brother.

Some sad news. Another one our great brothers passed away Friday, December 6, 2019, William Giles (69-70 Crew Chief). He is being cremated. Funeral services will be held at a later month next month. Susan, his wife, will let us know when this will take place.

I have some sad news to report to our 282nd AHC Family. One of our great members, Bill Farress (Gunner 1st Platoon '69) passed away Sunday December 1, 2019. His obituary can be read on the Miller Funeral Home (Rochester, NY) website. His funeral will be December 11, 2019 at 10:30am. His wife, Ann, asks that every Black Cat/Alley Cat please sign up on the Agent Orange Registry and keep fighting for your benefits. Our sympathy to Ann and her family.

I wish to thank all my Brothers of the 282nd AHC and all the men and women who served a Happy Veteran's Day.

This Memorial Day, as on past Memorial Days, I am sure you have heard Happy Memorial Day. You may have wished someone Happy Memorial Day, I know I have, BUT Memorial Day is more than a day to celebrate a day off from work. More than a day to grill hot dogs and hamburgers and have a cold beverage. It is much more than retailers having a big sale. Memorial Day is the day to remember and honor the men and women who sacrificed their all for our country. It also the day to remember and say a prayer to the families of our fallen veterans. They have had to continue living without their loved ones, be it a family member or a friend. Memorial Day I will remember and honor my 24 Brothers of the 282nd AHC who gave their all for our country.

George Robert Browning     Roy James Bultman     George Dare Carr   

  Eugene Francis Christiansen    Dwight D. Dedrick   Jose Manuel De La Torre

Leonard Eugene Easley    Jerry Williams Elliott    Arthur Anthony Freda, Jr.

William George Hasseman   Billy David Hill   William Charles Keeler   

Harry Grover Kunkler, 111    Lewis Nelson Langford    Gerald Leroy McKinsey, Jr.

Robert Charles O'Hara    David Eugene Padgett    John David Phillips

Joseph Albert Reichlin, Jr.    Joseph Earl Rohlinger    Clifford James Rush

Gary Charles Salanitro    Robert Garland Simes, Jr. Charles Irvin Stanley

                                     Rest In Peace Brothers

If someone wishes you a Happy Memorial Day, instead of repeating the words back, how about saying, "Let's remember and honor the men and women who gave their all".

I was stationed with the 318th ADD at Lane Army Heliport An Son, July 70-71 as a control tower operator.

My father-in-law was LTC Benjamin D Waterman, your fisrt commander in Nam, he passed in 2000.

I would like to wish all the Brothers a Happy Vietnam Veterans Day. Thank you for your service and Welcome Home.

I am a former member of the BlackCats 66/67 and am trying to locate a good friend of mine Walter Grinnell.  I lost track of him a couple years ago and would like reconnect while we both are on this side of the grass.

If anyone has any information concerning Walt please email me at luhradsam@yahoo.com

Sam Potts

I'm trying to locate Walter F. Grinnell.  He served with me in the 282nd from 1966 to 67.  A phone # or email address would be fine.  The last I heard was he could be in either Pennsylvania or Florida. 

Sam Potts

luhradsam@yahoo.com 

I'm friend of Marine vet of 1/9 (Walking Dead) who were picked up from Tamboi hill in March '69 before being overrun.  He is trying to find the unit that had the Black Cat/Panther? on its tail rotor.  Would this be the correct unit?  If not, could you please guide us to it with contact info?  Would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you all for your service!

Carl

I'm a Vietnam Veteran, member of Vietnam Veterans 1018 in Fenton, MO.  We received some memorabilia from a St Louis member of your group.  This memorabilia was found when a house was being renovated.  There is no name that identifies the Vet.  Lots of pictures with names of the men he served with.  Alley Cats was his unit and his helicopter was #288 "Little Ms Bright Eyes".  I'd be happy to send this material to you if you are interested.

Don Aird

Charley Battery - 1/83rd FA - FDC - January 1970 - March 1971 

James (Jim) A. Niemi, Major, US Army and Florida Army Air Force Reserve, passed away on July 6, 2018 as a result of prostate cancer.  He was a 100% disabled veteran.

Was looking on the Blackcat website to see if anyone from the group ever followed up and completed the PUC effort that I had started for support of my advisory team during the initial days of the Khe Sanh battle.  

I still have all of the material that I collected if anyone else wants to pick up the pieces.

Thanks for your support in January 1968.

I am attempting to locate anyone who was with the 282nd during the period May 1967 and May 1968.  I remember that Maj Re was our CO at the time.  I at times crewed the U8 of the commander and flew missions as needed.  I also would like to find someone that worked in operations during this period.  To all my brothers may you all have a Happy New Year with your families and friends.  I was called Cousin Brucie.  The Italian.