My father Robert J Collins served as a door gunner with the Black Cats from 71 - 72. I was wondering if any one remembers him and if they could share some stories with me. Unfortunately he passed away October 21 2017 from cancer that the VA believes was caused by agent orange. I'm a vet myself and it would mean a lot to me to hear back from someone. I have pictures he took and his Black Cat patch
Bob Webster called me yesterday and said his long time friend and companion Bobbie Ashmore passed away. She died peacefully in her sleep January 29th of heart failure. Our thoughts and condolences are with Bob and Bobbies family.
John Sisca is with the Arizona Branch of the Army Aviation Heritage Foundation. They are restoring a UH-1B gunship 64-13986 that according to records, served in the 282nd from approximately June 1966-April 1969. They intend to restore 986 with the 282nd Alley Cat gunship paint scheme. Any photos you could provide would be of immense help. The only 986 flight crew names they have been able to scrounge up, were "AC F1 Steiner" and "P WT Colley", which pertained to an incident on August 1, 1966. If you have any information you cn contact John at go-by-air@cox.net.
Bill Kinsley passed away December 13, 2017at the Louis A. Johnson Veterans Administration Medical Center in Clarksburg, WV. Bill was a crew chief 69-70. Bill be laid to rest with full military honors December 19, 2017. His service will be held at the Smith Funeral and Cremation Care in Morgantown, WV. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made to Dreams for Veterans through the Dream Foundation.
The National Viet Nam War Museum in Weatherford, Texas is having a ground breaking ceremony for Phase 1 of the main building December 9, 2017 at 3:00pm CST.
Program of Activites:(times are approximate)
3:00pm Ceremony begins
3:01 Welcome
3:05 Invocation
3:10 National Anthem
3:15 Introductions
Founders Assn-membership option
closed after this ceremony
Builders Club-not too late to join
3:20 Guest Speaker(s)
3:25 Keynote speaker--B.G. Burkett Author of
Stolen Valor,-How the Vietnam Generation
was robbed of its Heroes and its History
Followed by: Shovel Ceremony (turning of the dirt)
After the ceremony, beginning at 5:30pm the AMVETS Post 133 will host their annual
Christmas at the Wall event. Please stay or return for that event if you can.
The grand daughter of Steve and Joanne Chann passed away Monday morning November 27. Their grand daughter fought a long and brave battle with cancer. Our thoughts and prayers for the Chann family.
As Thanksgiving nears, we need to step back and think of all the things and people in our life that we are thankful for. One of the things I am thankful for other than Kay my wife is the opportunity I had serving with the great men of the 282nd AHC. Kay and I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.
I would like to wish all my Brothers of the 282nd AHC a Happy Veteran's Day, thank you for your service and welcome home.
My name is Mike Peeters and I grew up with CW2 Glenn W. Arrandale, call sign Blackcat 10. Glenn served in Vietnam from May 1969 to May 1970 with the 282nd AHC. He was close to CW3 Tim Case. I lost track of Glenn before he served in Vietnam due to a move by me to Hawaii. The last contact I had with him was short and before his tragic and untimely death in 1979, at age 31. I am now 69 and would like to hear from anyone who served with Glenn during his service. I have not been able to contact Tim Case. Thank you.
Good Morning Brothers. Our sister Donna Elliott passed away after a long battle with cancer. Donna passed away October 22, 2017. Her service will be held Saturday October 28, 2017 at 2:00pm at Roller Coffman Chapel in Mountain View, Arkansas. Donna was unable to find her Brother, Jerry who is MIA. Lets hope she is reunited with Jerry in Heaven. Our condolences to Donna's family and friends. Rest in peace Sister
