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
