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New" with our website. Please click on the Calendar Year
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The Newest Entries are First
17 August 2002
Congressman Duncan Hunter (R) Vietnam Veteran
20 July - 16 Aug 2001
Added Rick Smith Story (Must Read). Please give Rick a welcome aboard. Ricks EMail address
19 July 2001
9 July 2001
Date: 7/9/2001 6:45:20 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From: gunnerp1@Netscape. net
To: COLINBROUSSARD@cs.com
Colin:
Please relay this to all hands. Col. Kean has indicated he is unable to serve as President of the Association. The by-laws state that his term is for 2 years from April 30, 2000, we have a vice-president, Top Valdez, Top is hereby the new President pending the election on April 30, 2002. Please advise Bill Newell that Top will have to co-sign all checks and forward him the approiate documents. This weekend, I will draft some proposals of amending the membership by laws and put it to the Assn. for a vote I want feedback on the following:
We need to keep some funds in the bank if we are to meet our goal of having yearly scholarships on behalf of Judge and McMahon. Right now, only Saigon MSG's who served during the Evacuation can be members, our tax exempt status is for a veterans group, which means 75% of the members have to be "war veterans" who served in Vietnam from 1961 to 1975 according to the IRS. I suggest the current members be "charter members" and we open up the association to "associate members", if we limit the new membership to all former Saigon MSG's , we will broaden our base for funds and not affect our "war veterans" status. We could charge the same amount for associate members as charter members, give them the same voting rights, and maybe recruit the new members at the October Reunion in San Diego. I would also like input in selling "lifetime" memberships, currently, we should be paying $100 per year dues, a few good Marines have paid up to $1,000.00 so far, I suggest we sell lifetime memberships
at $2,000.00, or 20 years, we would have a more stable base for the scholarship fund and collect interest in the money. Please circulate these ideas to all hands, we will collect all suggestions and put them to a vote.
Semper Fi:
Doug Potratz, Assn Attorney
7 July 2001
6 July 2001
4 July 2001
25 June 2001
MSgt Broussard:
Thanks for writing the VFW on this issue. I agree that the VSM should be
extended to cover the fall of Saigon in 1975. However, making that happen
won't be easy because the end date has been in effect for so long and DoD
will probably resist the change. To my knowledge, there is no House
Resolution on this issue yet. I am glad to hear that Congressman Hunter
Duncan is working on it.
The VFW really needs to have a resolution written on this proposal in order
for us to get it endorsed by the membership and so that we can properly
support it. I encourage you to draft a resolution and submit it through
your post to the Department of California for their consideration.
Bruce R. Harder
Director
National Security & Foreign Affairs
Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S.
202-608-8352
24 June 2001
15 June 2001
12 June 2001
WALT ER M. SWEENEY 'MIKE SWEENEY' USMC SAIGON 75 ZAHMIRE@HOTMAIL.COM
10 June 2001
25 May 2001
5 May 2001
About 2 weeks ago I decided to drop our web host provider for our website which is http://www.icom.com The reason being is the Marine Corps can no longer load our website. The Marine Corps reconfigured their Servers and lost our website along with many others. I know for a fact that MCRD, San Diego and Camp Pendleton could not load it. I called http://www.icom.com support number at least 20 times and they confirmed the problem is with the Marine Corps firewall configuration. I didn't want to leave http://www.icom.com since they charged about $9.00 a month.
After reviewing many sites I finally chose
http://www.intertune.com (858-490-Host). This is a San Diego Host Provider. Another benefits to me is they have a 24/7 Support Staff and they are close by.They had a cheaper plan for about $12.00 @ month but our website is growing so fast I elected to get more web space to grow with.
To start, I paid $80 which includes $20 setup and $60 for the first quarter. This is the information about what we will get.
Business Plan
5 GB Monthly Data Transfer (100,000 pages served*)
100 MB site storage capacity
5 POP3 e-mail accounts (yournames@yourcompany.com)
Telnet access (Shell Account)
Server Side Includes (SSI)
Save 13% off monthly price with annual subscription
E-mail and phone support
www.yourcompany.com
ftp.yourcompany.comPrices $19.95/month or $214.95/year (17.91/month $20 Setup fee (Non-refundable)
Our old host http://www.icom.com is now closed. Our website is now running on http://www.intertune.com I have reloaded over 50 MB into our new server.
I would like for our association to help pay the fees for the remainder 3 quarters. They also have an annual fees of $214.95.Here is the invoice I received from INTERTUNE.COM
Respectfully,
Colin Broussard
1 May 2001
30 April 2001
GySgt. Mike Bertini
John Ghilian
Paul Gozgit
Lt.Col. James H. Kean
John Kirchner
Dave Leet
Kevin Maloney
Bill Newell
Dr. Don Nicohlas
CWO-2 Doug Potratz
Randy Smith
Steve Stratton
MGySgt. John. J. Valdez
The Commanding Officer and Sergeant Major from MSG Battalion at Quantico did a superb job representing our Battalion. The Sergeant Major ensured that the color guard hit each mark.
SgtMajor and Colonel Hurley, CO and Sgt Major of the MSG Battalion
The 25th Marines provided a sharp Color Guard. The event was hosted by the Boys and Girls Club of Woburn. The guest of Honor was Susan McMahon, Charlie's sister. Sadly, Charles McMahon Sr., away last Tuesday.
A brief ceremony was conducted at Charlie's grave site by the Saigon Marines.
In the gymnasium of the Boys and Girls Club:
Colonel Kean made the opening remarks and introduced each speaker. He did a great deal of work making this event a success.
John Ghilain deserves all of our thanks for organizing the event. John's dedicated effort made the execution of the event flawless. In April 1975 he carried a big load, again he has stepped in and taken on a big assignment. John was the person who did all the grunt work that made this occasion. He arranged the hotel, dinners, scheduled events, and hosted all of us. Woburn worked and it worked beautifully because of John.
Top Valdez was the keynote speaker. John is organizing a large reunion, which will be held in San Diego this October. Don Nicholas is a medical Doctor. He flew his own airplane to Massachusetts from Ohio. Dave Leet is a Captain for UPS. He flies a Boeing 757.
Steve Stratton has gotten bigger. Steve drives a truck and lives in the California Mountains. He is a follower of the running guru Ken Crouse.
John Kirchner manages an airport near Naples Florida. Time improves some things, I am not sure that John is one of them. Bill Newell must be up to something; he walks around with a big smile. I am suspicious.
His own film crew accompanied Doug Potratz. Doug brought his son, Doug Jr. about 10 years old. It was great to see father and son. Doug, Bill, and Jim conducted a business meeting Saturday night.
Mike Bertini has worked tirelessly seeking out missing members. This month he has put us in contact with Otis Holmes and John Moya.
Randy Smith flew in from Venice Florida. Randy has a new career as a building contractor.
About two hundred people attended the ceremony on Sunday including nine members of the McMahon family. Colonel Hurley, the CO of MSG Bn. presented The Purple Heart Medal, the American Flag and other items to Susan McMahon. Susan in turn presented those items to the Boys and Girls Club of Woburn. The Club's director, Rick Metters accepted the flag and medals. They will be on permanent display at the Boy's Club.
Kevin
Colin
29 April 2001
Cpl Charles McMahon USMCCpl McMahon died along with LCpl Judge defending the DAO Compound at the Tahn Sahn Knut airport in Saigon, Vietnam. They were the last two Marines KIA in Vietnam. During the Memorial service for Cpl McMahon a flag ceremony is going on in Marshalltown Iowa. This two Marines with through MSG School and Vietnam together. They are the last two servicemen to die in Vietnam.
14 April 2001
11 April 2001
Congressman Duncan Hunter (R) California
Vietnam Veteran
Marines,
Below is what I received from Congressman Duncan Hunter (R) Staff Assistant in Washington, D.C. today regarding our Vietnam Service Medal.
Hi Colin,
I spoke with House Armed Services Committee staff last week. They were very receptive to the idea and are doing some research -- gave them your web site. We probably won't start working on the Defense Authorization Bill
until June or July and it probably won't get signed into law until September or October of this year. Will keep you updated along the way.
Vicki
6 April 2001
Hello Friends,
I am back in Miami. I am exhausted. The last few days have been tough. The tension was enormous, I have had very little sleep. Because I work for an airline I was able to jump seat in the cockpit of several different aircraft and despite the bad weather I got to Carrollton, Missouri on time.
Greater than my discomfort is my feeling of awe and gratitude. My eyes have been opened to grace anew.
How did a chalky white boy from an Irish Catholic neighborhood in a large Massachusetts city come to stand in the pulpit of a black Baptist Church in a rural Missouri farming town?
Yesterday, I was one of five people to give eulogies for Vasco D. Martin, Jr. What an incredible privilege and honor was given to me.
The Virginia Street Baptist Church was filled to standing room only. The choir lofts were filled with Marines and Fighters.
The pews were filled with people from every conceivable background, color, shape and size, Americans and Vietnamese cannot ever remember witnessing such a diverse cross section of humanity gathered for one purpose, each with a breaking heart.
Carrollton, Missouri population 4,400 is about fifty miles northeast of Kansas City. Carrollton is Vasco's hometown. He was born there on June 26, 1937. Several of his High School Classmates were there on Wednesday.
Vasco entered the Marine Corps in December 1956. He retired twenty years ago. To Corps and country he gave almost twenty-five years of service. Dwight McDonald and I served with Vasco in Saigon. Other Marines and Vets from the surrounding area were there. One of the other men to eulogize Vasco was a native Hawaiian. He wore a purple heart, and spoke of Vasco's service with the VFW.
Curtis Shields is the Fire Chief. Curtis and Vasco joined the volunteer Carrollton Fire Department at the same time in 1979. Vasco became a Captain. He and Curtis were presented gold plated fire axes at the same ceremony commemorating twenty years of service to their community. They stood together on the fire line and in life. Another broken heart.
Vasco worked in the town's water treatment department for seventeen years. His coworkers were there in force.
Vasco had his own photography business too. He was a highly skilled photographer. Some of his work was on display.
A State Fire Marshal from Jefferson City attended the service. When there was a terrible fire somewhere in Missouri they would call on Vasco to photograph the fire scene, he was a professional.
Vasco's two daughters were there. One of the best photographs was of Vasco and his toddler grandson napping together. Vasco's two brothers were there. Don is an assistant coach with the Oakland Raiders.
Nafissia, Vasco's wife is from Afghanistan. The were married just four years ago this July. Her grown children were there. Everybody had a great Vasco story.
I will always have this image in my mind. Late in the afternoon of 28 April 1975 at Tan Son Nhut Airfield near Saigon we were attached by six jet aircraft flown by North Vietnamese pilots. They were dropping 500 pound bombs. Vasco was standing in the open, directing others to the safety of the bomb shelter while he fired at the aircraft.
At 0345 the next morning rockets fell on our position. Two of our Marines were killed and another wounded. I took the position of the dead men, shortly thereafter, Vasco organized the remaining Marines and moved up to my position. I shall ever in my mind hear his agonizing cry when he came upon the fallen Marines.
One of those Marines was Lance Corporal Darwin L. Judge from Marshalltown, Iowa. Vasco maintained close contact with that family for all these many years. They loved him for it. Henry and Ida Judge are in there eighties now. With their daughter Laurie at the wheel they drove four hours to attend Vasco's funeral service.
The Sheriffs Department blocked off several streets. Fire Departments from several surrounding towns sent their blue suited men and women in their trucks. Vasco was carried from the Church in his Flag draped Marine Corps casket and placed on the back of a vintage fire truck. The funeral procession with flashing lights and fire bells moved slowly through town. State, local police and deputies blocked the side roads, the flags in front of the police station and court house were at half staff.
At the cemetery, pall bearers carried Vasco up a hill to the grave site between two ranks of sideboys, Marines facing Firefighters. A bagpipe played. The marine honor guard fired a salute and two buglers echoed taps across the field. A Marine Master Sergeant presented the flag to Nafissia.
Scores of friends and relatives gathered in a large room in the firehouse. Neighbors catered a dinner. Pot luck, home style. A great roar of conversation carried on for two hours.
I spoke on the telephone to Vasco two weeks ago. We knew that he would make this journey. He was prepared. He would not go until he charged me to look after the Marines that he loved so much.
This was one incredible man. The cancer is stopped and the pain is no more. He is gone from us now. He is at rest. But we will see him again in a better world.
Kevin M. Maloney
05 April 2001
2 April 2001
I just got a call from Congressman Hunter's Office in Washington D.C. I talked to Vickie ( His Staff Assistant) to clarify why we want the Vietnam Service Medal. I explained to her that we want the Vietnam Service Medal in lieu of the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal. I had to further explain how the military first received an Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal when they
first went to Vietnam and later was able to exchange the Medal for a Vietnam Service Medal.
I also explained that we have two Marines on the Vietnam Wall which the end date is 1975. I provided her our Web Address.
They also wanted to know why the Marine Corps and Department of Defense couldn't authorize this and I explained we already had letters in to both and it has to be authorized by Congress.
I explained a lot more to Vickie and had her repeat everything she wrote down and made corrections. I told her I'm on vacation right now so she can call me for night or day for anything including briefing the Congressional Team either in Washington or over the phone.
They did want to know what other Congressman/Senators has been talked to and or positive about this. I need this immediately. I sent another
letter to Senator Feinstein and she is positive so I used her as a reference.Please send me everything you have done to get out medal. I need names so I can email them to here.
I think we are getting close with your help.
Semper Fi,
Colin Broussard
EMail: colinbroussard@cs.com
Its located on opening screen on the right panel near Guestbook. Let me know if you like it or should change it. Thanks. Colin....
31 March 2001
I spoke with Nafissia Martin this evening. It is her desire that Memorial
Contributions be made to, The Saigon Marine Association.
Bill and Doug, please handle this item.
Kevin
Jim
The first information available concerning services for Vasco Martin in Carrollton, Missouri (approx. 40 miles North East of Kansas City)
Calling Hours Tuesday, April 3. 1830-2100
Funeral Service Wednesday, April 4. 1000
Virginia St. Baptist Church
Dinner for guests at the Fire Station.
This is Vasco's home town. He is a beloved member of his community. He was a member of the Fire Department since his retirement from the Marine Corps.
His friends there are inviting us to be their guests. Please signal me if you plan to attend.
I will be there as well as Dwight McDonald and Jim Kean.
Condolences may be extended to Vasco's wife, Nafissia at:
1003 Hill Top Drive.
Carrolloton, Missouri 64633-1909
Kevin
30 March 2001
I spoke with Nafissia Martin this evening. It is her desire that Memorial Contributions be made to, The Saigon Marine Association.
Bill and Doug, please handle this item.
Kevin
To My Fellow Marines:
I was sad to hear about Gunny Martin's death yesterday, March 29, 2001. I would like to share some info with you regarding the "toughest" Marine I ever met, Gunny Martin. Gunny Martin in Saigon had only been there for a few weeks before the evacuation and was given the task to form a squad of Marines taken from other sections and the new Marines just coming into Saigon, like Judge and McMahon, and somehow set up a defense of the DAO compound at the airport. His Marines were armed with M-16's and .38 revolvers, the NVA that attacked that day and killed two of his Marines and wounded one other had rockets, tanks, and a few stolen American Jets. This brave man did the best job he could with what he had, and never complained. I didn't meet or talk to Gunny Martin again until last year as I was preparing to Honor Darwin Judge for our 25th reunion and memorial service in Marshalltown, Iowa. When Ken Locke and I were getting the family Darwin's awards, I met the Judges' for the!
first time. They told me that shortly after Darwin Judges' funeral, the only Marines that contacted them was Gunny Vasco Martin and Dwight McDonald, that during the years Martin had invited them to his home in Missouri, and the families had visited back and forth over the years. When the city Park was dedicated to Darwin Judge, Vasco Martin came. Vasco was dying of cancer as a result of Agent Orange, but came to our Memorial in Iowa anyway. I have never met a tougher man. When I asked him about his medical condition, he would tell me that he got up every day and fought it with everything he had, because he wasn't going to lay down and feel sorry for himself and die without a fight. A few weeks ago, Gunny Martin asked me to check on the Purple Heart for one of the Marines that was wounded with Judge and McMahon and asked my help to see that the Marine got his Medal. The day before he died, we talked and all he wanted to know was the status of the Marine's medal, as if h!
e had to get it done because his troops needed his help. What a Marine, what a Leader. We are lucky to have another member of our unit getting things ready for us in Heaven, knowing Gunny Martin, he will have the "advanced party" working on our billeting for us.
Semper Fi Marine, may God smile on you today.
Doug Potratz
29 March 2001 Updated
From: Kevin M. Maloney
Marines,
It is my sad duty to report that MSgt. Vasco D. Martin USMC Ret. passed away today, 29 March 2001 at approximately 1700L.
Vasco was a patient at the VA Hospital in Kansas City, Missouri. His wife Nafissia was with him as were other members of his family and friends.
The funeral and burial will be in Carrolloton, Missouri next week. Plans will be made tomorrow.
Semper Fidelis
Original plan is prepared by LtCol Jim Kean - Please read
29 March 2001
Vasco Martin (2nd man to left standing) at 25th Fall of Saigon Reunion
along with Doug Potratz. Mr. and Mrs. Judge looking forward. Picture taken at 25th Fall of Saigon Reunion in Marshalltown, Iowa 29-30 April 2000-----------
Marines,
I spoke to Vasco Martin's wife Nafissia this morning (Wednesday 28 March 2001).
Vasco's cancer has progressed to the point that no further treatment will be given.
Vasco is receiving morphine for the pain. He is expected to be transferred from the VA Hospital in Kansas City to a nursing home in his home town of Carrolton today or tomorrow.
His phone number at the VA hospital is (816) 922-5849
Nafissia's phone numbers are (660) 542-0972 home, (660)542-4220 cell.
Cards may be sent to his home at:
Vasco Martin
1003 Hill Top Drive
Carrolloton, MO 64633-1909
A joint Marine Corps / Firefighters ceremony is being planned.
Kevin M. Maloney
KEVotBeach@aol.com
Vasco Martin and Bill Newell. Picture taken at 25th Fall of Saigon Reunion in Marshalltown, Iowa 29-30 April 2000--------------
Other Information
Nafissia's phone numbers are (660) 542-0972 home, (660)542-4220
VA Hospital Kansas City (816) 922-5849
Nafissa (660) 542-0972
I spoke to Vasco Martin's wife Nafissia this morning (Wednesday 28 March 2001).
Vasco's cancer has progressed to the point that no further treatment will be given.
Vasco is receiving morphine for the pain. He is expected to be transferred from the VA Hospital in Kansas City to a nursing home in his home town of Carrolton today or tomorrow.
Cards may be sent to his home at:
Vasco Martin
1003 Hill Top Drive
Carrolloton, MO 64633-1909------------------
A joint Marine Corps / Firefighters ceremony is being planned.
Forwarded Message:
Subj: Re: Vasco Martin
Date: 3/28/2001 11:09:41 AM Pacific Standard Time--------------------
From: gunnerp1@netscape.net
To: KevOTBeach@aol.com
Dear Marines:
Talk about a tough guy, I just got off the phone with Vasco at the hospital, he wants to make sure that Otis Holmes gets the purple heart for his actions 26 years ago. I just received a reply from MSG Bn, I have the address and contacts to process the papers, but I need your help.
Vasco is attempting to put together a letter describing the rocket attack that killed Judge and McMahon, and wounded Otis Holmes, I have to have it signed by witnesses and forwarded to me, I will package it up and send it in. Vasco is on his death bed, and he's worried about this! Please help us, send signed statements listing date, time, location, and details about the incident in which Holmes was wounded to :
Douglas Potratz--------------------------
Doug,
I am glad that you know what to do in this situation.
When Judge and McMahon were killed Holmes was on DAO Post 2 about 50m away. He received a wound to his knee and I think to his head.
I was the first to reach Holmes, together we proceeded to where Judge and McMahon were. It was a bad scene.
I sent Holmes to the rear to receive help.
Two years later I met Holmes at Cherry Point. He told me that he had been sent out on post and had some associated medical problem. He was hospitalized in Germany for some amount of time.
I think that he was rattled emotionally as well as physically.
I have been unsuccessful in my attempts to locate Homes. The VA did have an address for him and forwarded a letter to him but I got no response.
I promised Vasco that I would follow up on Holmes and see that the other Marines at the DAO received appropriate recognition.
Kevin M. Maloney
16 March 2001
Submitted by:
Semper Fi!
Alan H. Barbour
Historian
USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association
formerly Capt, USMCR
VMO-2 (Marine Observation Squadron Two)
Dong Ha/Khe Sanh '66-'67
http://www.angelfire.com/va/cherrydeuce
SAEPE EXPERTUS, SEMPER FIDELIS, FRATRES AETERNI
"Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever"
9 March 2001
21 February 2001
James Felber found our website. Marines please give him a welcome aboard.
EMail: felberjim@hotmail.com
11 February 2001
6 February 2001
30 January 2001
28 January 2001
25 January 2001
21 January 2001
The Fall of Saigon Marines Association in cooperation with the
Marshalltown Park & Recreation Department and Marshalltown Rotary Club has erected a 25' flagpole at Judge Park located on South 12th St. in
Marshalltown. The flagpole will be dedicated on Sunday, April 29, 2001,
2 PM at the park located on South 12th St. Marine Security Guards L/CPL Darwin L. Judge of Marshalltown and CPL Charles McMahon of Woburn, Massachusetts, were killed during the Fall Of Saigon on April 29, 1975, being the last two American servicemen killed in Vietnam. The
dedication of the flagpole will coincide with ceremonies being held in
Woburn on the same day. The ceremony will feature the raising of an
American Flag which has flown over the U.S. Capitol, made possible by
Senator Chuck Grassley, as well as the Marine Corps colors raised by a
combined Marine Corps, Boy Scout Color Guard. Judge was an Eagle Scout in Troop 310, sponsored by Grace United Methodist Church. The public is cordially invited to attend this event to honor all Americans who served during the war in Southeast Asia. For more information contact Ken Locke, event Chairman at or kclocke@webtv.net
Kevin Maloney is planning our next reunion in Massachutes. I will be building a web page to keep everyone informed of the event.
Top Valdez is planning a reunion in San Diego for all Saigon Marines whoever served at the Embassy through the years. I will post that information as well.
3 January 2001
Chris Woods send us two pictures. One of the last chopper landing and one of the ARVN Choppers landing.
Last Chopper Landing
ARVN landing on Carrier.
