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
Just wanted to say thank you to the Blackcats for supporting us in Quang Ngai at Advisory Team 2. I was an infantry field advisor with a 2nd ARVN infantry battalion from July '68 to July '69 and we relied on you guys all the time. I have a few pix of your choppers I'd be happy to upload, just let me know how to do it. Thanks again and welcome home!
Pete Jerszynski (1LT, Infantry)
My younger brother Ret. MSG Michael Duane Glessner passed away 24 Feb 2020 at 0947 in Sacramento California. He died of complications associated with Lung Cancer and Agent Orange. We were in contact constantly and I was with him in his last days
He spent quite a few years in NAM as a crew chief with your organization and he remembered you folks well.
I also remember the few days I spent with you all when I visited Mike at Marble Mountain during my NAVY days.
His email address is VIETNAMVET@FRONTIER.COM and it is checked regularly.
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 time. Susan, his wife, will let us know when this will take place.
I was with the start of the 282nd assualt helicopter co, we started out in fort benning ga. We all deployed to Oakland for a 31 day boat ride. We docked in quin non and made camp their for a while. Then they moved us up to Danang, they Vietcong hit us the first night we moved to our new location. I have a problem with name and memory, but some things you never forget.Our first flight crew that was sent out they never returned.If anyone knows the names of the crew please let me know. I was in country from may 1966 til may 1967. I loved the personnel as wE all helped make the 282nd a great co. A salute to all my brothers
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.
