What's New
This
page's purpose is to display to our regular viewers "What's
New" with our website.
What's New
This
page's purpose is to display to our regular viewers "What's
New" with our website.
The Newest Entries are First
26 July 2001
Patrick Short has found our website and sent me a message. Please give him a welcome aboard.
EMail: Patrick.Short@med.va.gov
14 April 2000
11 April 2000
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 2000
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 2000
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 2000
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 2000
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 2000 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 2000
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 2000
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 2000
21 February 2000
James Felber found our website. Marines please give him a welcome aboard.
EMail: felberjim@hotmail.com
11 February 2000
6 February2000
30 January 2000
28 January 2000
25 January 2000
21 January 2000
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.
27 December 2000
1. Received and added a new website award presented by Mr. Ruby Beloz
22 December 2000
1. Changes to our Services effective 1 Jan 2001.
A. Our current Web Site Provider for our website is http://www.icom.com. This is for our web site only.
ICOM.COM has not performed to what we need it. I made a decision to cancel our services effective 1 Jan 2001.
The reason is I've been flooded with complaints from Marines that cannot access our site from Marine Corps Bases. I talked to the HQMC WebMaster and he said he didn't what the reason is. So between now and 1 Jan 2001 I would be looking for a new web host. I'm hoping there will be no break in our service from http://www.fallofsaigon.org. I will have to copy all of our files to a new host server and get them to configure it to our Domain Name. We own our domain name fallofsaigon.org for another 4 years. But I will have to pay for our new services for a new server. I will keep everyone informed of my actions through EMail.For your own information my Internet Service Provider is CompuServe. http://www.compuserve.com. My EMail will remain: colinbroussard@cs.com
2. The Fall of Saigon Ball Cap
We will have two designs of our new "Fall of Saigon" Hat. The first one I received from Military Matters @ (716)624-5256. The cover is very nice. Remember that John Ghilain is having a hat made to so we will have to compare and pick the best one.
Front of Cover
Right Side of Cover.
Back of the Cover
If you order the "Fall of Saigon" cover make sure you tell them
to put your First Name on the back.
21 December 200
Ron Mayfi0eld just joined us out of the below. Please give him a welcome aboard.
EMail: RAM243@webtv.net
20 December 2000
1. Here is the latest on our Fall of Saigon Ball Cap. I received 10 request for modification since my original EMail. I tried to get all of your modifications in. Unfortunately we cannot put a Vietnam Service Medal on our hat. You can however have what ever color you want. I however think we should be the same color for uniformity.
I have sent additional letters to Congressman Duncan Hunter, Congressman Duke Cunningham and Senator Diane Feinstein requested that we be awarded the Vietnam Service Medal. So for only Senator Diane Feinstein has sent me a letter back saying that she will consider our proposal. I wish more of you would try. Congressman Duncan Hunter's Office said we should start a petition.
I have order a $45 ball cap from Military Matters in New York because the custom build Military Unit's ball cap. I found their name in the VFW Magazine. When you order yours in will be directly from Military Matters (714)-624-5256. The point of contact is Connie.
John Ghilain is also having a ball cap made as well. His will cost around $26.00 So I thought we should compare the quality of each hat and put the pictures on this website. Maybe we can take a vote or just let Jim Kean chose. But keep in mine the uniformity is the key.
5 December 2000
So for we had ten feedbacks on the "Fall of Saigon" Hat-Cap" (Cover) design. Below is a picture of what we have now. I believe the company will work with us on the different colors you requested. Once we get the prototype I will take a picture of the hat and put it here. We then can discuss what changes we want. I will pay for the first hat.
1 December 2000
Updated Doug Potratz EMail Address: gunnerp1@netscape.net
28 November 2000
Sgt Tanner send me an article he wrote about LCpl Judge while at school.
13 October 2000
12 October 2000
This is a message to everyone from Doug Potratz.
Subj: McMahon Memorial, dual ceremony?
Date: 10/12/2000 3:31:51 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From: gunnerp@gte.net (Douglas Potratz)
Reply-to: gunnerp.gte.net@verizon.net
To: misterbill@mediaone.net, kclocke@webtv.net, KevOTBeach@aol.com, colin@fallofsaigon.org
Dear Fellow Marines:
I did a three way conversation today with Ken Locke in Indiana and Bill
Newell in Massachusetts and myself in California today. We were
preparing to pay for Darwin's flagpole at Marshalltown and Ken wants to
dedicate it on April 29, 2001. I was thinking out loud with Ken and
Bill that it would be nice if we could also donate an identical flagpole
with lighting and the American Flag and Marine Corps Flag to the Boys
Club in Woburn on the same day. We might even work out an electronic
hookup where the people in Marshalltown could watch the people in
Worburn and visa versa. Any comments or ideas? Colin, please forward
this message to all Saigon Marines.
Semper Fi:
Doug
10 October 2000
Robert Schlager just found us. His Email is in Members EMail. Please give him a "welcome aboard."
7 October 2000
I sent the below Letter to Colonel Hurley, CO MSG Battalion.
Colonel Hurley,
Sir. We have not found any family memories of Cpl McMahon. I was sent the plaques and flag to make pictures and put them on our website. Kevin Maloney found a Boys Club that Cpl McMahon belonged to in Massachutes. The Manager is a former Marine and he runs his own Recruiting Station for the Marines. I'm sure the Marine Recruiters are happy about that. Cpl McMahon was one of his prize students and he was instrumental in getting Charlie to enlist. That is our only connection to his family.
Even though he has no immediate family he has a huge Marine Corps family. Cpl McMahon had some hard times growing up with a dysfunctional family and beat all odds to make his life better by joining the Marines and turn a negative into something very positive.
The Fall of Saigon Marines held a vote to where the plaques and flag should be sent. All but one requested that the plaques and flag be put in Cpl McMahon's Classroom wall as MSG School. We are making this request.
I feel sad that no family members were available to accept them like the Judge's. I know somehow that Charlie's would feel extremely proud that a classroom at MSG Battalion beared his name and that his Plaques are honored "at home" in his classroom with his fellow MSG Marines.
I will wait until I have your permission before sending the Plaques and Flags. I also need an address to send them.
Semper Fi,
Colin Broussard
MSgt, USMC Retired
WebMaster: The Fall of Saigon Marines Association
Web: http://www.fallofsaigon.org
EMail: colinbroussard@cs.com
4 October 2000
Kevin Maloney and Steve Bartlett found some information about Cpl Charles McMahon
4 October 2000
Does anyone have John Ghilain's or Bog Shular's EMail Address?
1 October 2000
Updated John Steward's page with his picture in Saigon.
Updated Top Valdez's Speech during our 25th Memorial/Reunion
13 September 2000
The Vietnam Wall's website has a place to add your comments to LCpl Judge and Cpl McMahon.
12 September 2000
Terry Bennington just found us. His Email is at Members EMail. Please give him a "welcome aboard."
3 September 2000
Colonel Steve Hasty and Colonel Hurley
Future and Current CO of MSG Battalion
1. A proud moment in our history. Col Dave Hurley, Commanding Officer, Marine Security Guard Battalion, informed one of our own, Colonel Steve Hasty that he is slated to be the Commanding Officer, Marine Security Guard Battalion, effective summer/autumn 2001. Please pass your congratulations.
24 August 2000
1. Added Dwight McDonalds's Story on
Ambassador Martin.
2. Updated Ambassador Martin's Story.
If anyone would like to share your story about Ambassador
|
Martin please write me.
19 August 2000
1. Doug Potratz gave me Cpl McMahan's Plaques to take pictures and put in the website. I Had lunch with Top Valdez yesterday and since the family members are not available to receive the plaques we recommend that they got to MSG School and be mounted on the wall of the Cpl McMahan's Classroom. If everyone agrees I will ship them to the school.
2. I added the following links at the bottom of each WebPages. This will help the users navigate to different WebPages.
Our Story || Marine Roster || Rest in Peace || Reunions || Members EMail || Pictures of the Embassy || Vietnam Service Medal || Media || Ltr from President Ford || Saigon Ladder to Roof || Misc Photos || Tribute to Pilots and Crew || Tribute to U.S. Navy || Bibliography || Students & Educators || Street Map of Saigon || Web Site Awards || Previous Messages from Visitors || Ltr from President Ford || LCpl Judge || Cpl McMahon || NVA Victory || PPSU House || Fall of Saigon Officers and Association Business || Links || Whats New ||
16 August 2000
Important Fall of Saigon Marine Information
2 August 2000
2. Added pictures of the Vietnamese Mass Exodus from North Vietnam
3. New Pictures found of the Marines holding the wall.
4. Than Sahn Knut Airbase under attack by NVA Soldiers
15 July 2000
1. Added new graphic for our banner for our new association.
2. Added Associations papers.
3. Doug Potratz gave me the the Medal and Plaques at the 25th Reunion/Memorial. I'm going to request to Major Kean that these Medals and Plaque be presented to the MCRD San Diego Museum in the Vietnam Display.4. Updated Ambassador Martin's page. If anyone wants to contribute to this page please email me.
5. Updated the format of "Our Story"
6. There is going to be a reunion for all Saigon Marines not just us in Las Vegas in November. I will post this information if you would like to go. I believe Top Valdez went last time.
9 July 2000
Added Paul Gozgit to our EMail List. Welcome him aboard Marines.
26 June 2000
1. Received a letter from President Ford from a request I sent him.
2. Received letter from The Ford Library/Museum with the Saigon Embassy's StairCase.
12 June 2000
1. Got the following EMail from Dwight McDonald regarding GySgt Martinez. I think everyone should read this and do something in your on way.
Subj: vasco
Date: 6/12/00 8:17:09 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From: DMcdo81520@cs.com
To: colin@fallofsaigon.org
hey top, just talked to gunny Martin this past weekend and he says he is doing okay for now. good news. he got some radiation and put it in remission or to use his words he bought some time so the chemo can do its job. seemed to be in good spirits and i think he might come down for our ball this fall as his wife has never attended one. pass the word on and make sure people pray for him. will remember your Mom in church next Sunday providing the roof don't cave in on me first.
Dwight
semper fi my brother
10 June 2000
9 June 2000
1. Sent a letter to President Ford requesting him to send a letter to us.
2. Received a letter from the old Saigon Marines. They are having a
reunion on November 8 -12 November 2000 in Las Vegas All Saigon Marines ever is invited. They sent me a roster that has most of us on it with telephone number and some EMail address.. If anyone is interested please let me know.3. I received an old story about the Fall of Saigon from NBC News. I will post it under our story.
7 June 2000
1. I changed my EMail from:
From: colinbroussard@cs.com
To: colin@fallofsaigon.orgWith the Web Site Host we got one free EMail Address. I still have colinbroussard@cs.com to. This is how it works: The web site host forwards all mail sent from colin@fallofsaigon.org to colinbroussard@cs.com
So everyone here could have a fallofsaigon.org Email address. The only kicker is it cost $3.00 a month. Mine is free because we get one free one. So if you would like to have a fallofsaigon.org EMail you will have to call our
webhost. http://www.icom.com at 323-436-0247 and set up your EMail. They will bill you $3.00 a month automatically. Again they forward all mail you get from
name@fallofsaigon.org to your current EMail address.2. Steve Hasty will be updating our Bibliography.
6 June 2000
1. Put up Bill Newell's Story
2. Updated everyone with a Story with old and new pictures
3. Steve Hasty is helping me clean up the spelling/grammar.
4. Put more pictures from Kevin Maloney.
5. The only pictures I have is from Kevin and myself. Is there anyone else out there that took pictures?
1 - 3 Jun 2000 ( Lots of Everything)
1. Put Top Valdez's Speech up.
2. Put Major Kean's 8 Page After Action Report up.
3. Dwight McDonald is working with his Congressman from Missouri for our
Vietnam Service Medal. Its ashamed only a few take the initiative on this.
4. I have most all old photos Top had on his wall on our roster.
5. I have put many new photos up all over.
6. Kevin Maloney sent me his photos from the Memorial. Thanks Kevin for all ways being there.
7. Got some new DAO photos so I'm putting them in the appropriate places
4 Jun 2000
26 May to 29 May 2000 (Memorial Weekend)
1. Added
Leatherneck Magazine quotes on the Main Page.
2. Put links to declassified
docs about the Fall of Saigon.
3. Had lunch with Top
Valdez. Got all pictures on his wall.
Updated Marine
Roster with your old pictures. The
Roster is not
100% done. Some Marines don't have pictures. Will work
throughout
week to up date pictures.
4. Sent a message to all of our
Association Officers requested that we update
our website
to 100MBs of hard drive space and pay for the remainder of the year
with http://www.icom.com
(This is our host provider for our website only)
5. Still got to type in Major Kean's
After Action Report and Top Valdez's Speech.
22 May 2000
2. I Fixed the Guest Log. The newest entries are first..
3. I encourage our Marines to provide help to the students and teachers that are doing research about the Fall of Saigon. The students sign the Guestbook asking for help.
3. Steve Hasty has agreed to help me look for the typos (OK misspellings) and grammar mistakes. I just found out what Colonels do.
4. If you have photos please send them to me. I need more historical pictures. I know I seen many at the memorial/reunion so let me have them. I will make sure I send them back to you.
16 May 2000
1. Put up Dwight McDonalds story about his time with LCpl Judge.
2. Fixed some spelling and grammar problems. They are all over the place. I wish someone would go through here an point them all out to me.
15 May 2000
1. I put up Top Valdez EMail but I don't think its right so I'm going to check tomorrow.
2. Doug has the association cranking. Good work Doug.
3. Leatherneck Magazine has us in the May edition. I think about 5 pages. Several of us are in there. I'm going to scan in the stories.
4. Where are your pictures. The only pictures I have are the ones I took. So lets get the developed so I can put them on our website.
6 May 2000
1. Built a LCpl Judge Page. I put the page in "Our Story". If anyone wants to write anything or share a story I will put it in his page. I also need a photo of the shadow box.
2. I know I'm not the only who took pictures but that is all I have of this memorial/reunion. I'm missing the entire tree planting ceremony. So how about helping me out with this. Send me your photos and I'll sent them back after I scan them in. You don't have to do anymore work. My address is:
Colin Broussard
1835 E. Main
El Cajon, CA 92021If you need my phone number Email me. Colin Broussard
4 - 5 May 2000
1.
CBS News Report on CBS Website. They interview Ken Maloney, Doug
Potratz, Ken Crouse and Steve Johnson. Excellent Article.
2. Steve Stratton's wife just found us and gave us Steve's EMail address which is steves@inforum.com . Also added Steve to our EMail Roster. Please give him a welcome aboard.
3. Dwight McDonald is writing his Congressman tonight to change the end date of the Vietnam Service Medal. Thank you Dwight.
4. I'm looking for LCol Kean's article on MSNBC. Does anyone have the URL? How about you Ken Crouse?
1 May to 3 May 2000
1. Build Memorial/25th Reunion Pages
2. Need more Historical Pictures
3. Need pictures from Memorial/Reunion
4. Need to get with Steve Hasty for Can Tho Detachment's Story
5. I need to start receiving the stories people told me they would write.
6. Bill Newell I need to get with you with our web host http://www.icom.com
7. Need EMail Addresses from:A. Top Valdez - Vice President
B. Bill Newell - Treasure8. Received Mail from Senator Diane Feinstein about the Vietnam Service Medal. Keep those letter going out to our Senators and Congressmen. Don't let a few do all the work. The more we solicit Congress the better our chances.
Friday, 21 April 2000
1. Add John Steward to our EMail page. He found us through our website. All of our Marines should give him a welcome aboard. He was with Judge & McMahon when they died. His EMail address is
jcsstewa@txucom.net
Monday, 24 April 2000
1. Kevin found Dwight McDonald. I have been looking for him for the last 3 1/2 years and nothing. All of sudden Kevin Emails with with his EMail/Number. I talked to him Monday at 6:00 AM and he will at the reunion in the afternoon on April 29, 2000. Dwight's EMail is dmcdo81520@cs.com. Everyone please give Dwight a welcome aboard.
Thursday, 20 April 2000
1. Our website is now official. http://www.fallofsaigon.org and we have finally moved from http://www.geocities.com/pentagon/camp/4006 I have put a link on our geocities link that links to our new web site. This was not a easy feat believe it or not. I'm taking off Thursday and Friday (20-21 April 2000) to clean each page and to put on a counter. During the big NBC show on 29 April 2000 I expect lots of hits. If anyone needs a EMail change or something you want to add/delete now is the time. It would be nice to have an Editor to check my grammar/spelling.
Tuesday, 18 April 2000
1. Worked all evening trying to get http://www.register.com to change my Domain Paths from Geocities to our new Website on http://www.Icom.com. This has been extremely frustration. I think after 6 hours I finally got most things worked out with them. I also uploaded all "Fall of Saigon" files to our new website. It ran the remainder of the night and was finished Wednesday morning before work.
Monday, 17 April 2000
1. Added the Vietnam Veterans Website. This is the official Vietnam Veterans of America Webring.
2. Ken Crouse put his money down on our new website location: http://www.icom.com. This is not our address but where are files will reside. They will maintain our site and domain name. We are getting real official now. The Geocities site sucked not only because of the stupid logo but because of size and still having our files on http://www.geocities.com. I talked to the tech person at http://www.Icom.com and the charges on the below is $49 setup fee and $35 every quarter or $100 a year. So what I'm going to do tonight is to get our site up and running and pay the setup fee and purchase one quarter of website space. That is why I would like to get a Treasure to handle this money. So every quarter it will cost us $29.85.
Below are the features of our new website provider: http://www.icom.com
1. 45 MB Web Server Space
2. 1 - Pop e-mail account (For each extra EMail account will $3 a month).
3. Each EMail account will be like colin@fallofsaigon.org or yours
4. Unlimited EMail forwarding
5. Unlimited Traffic Hits/Updates
6. Your on cgi-bin directory
7. Your on Java directory
8. High Speed Connections
9. Compatible with FrontPage 2000 (My website builder)
10. No hidden charges or fees.3.
I talked to Mr Allen Green (Vietnam Veterans of America) about our membership (which we are eligible.) and they send me a membership kit. I am hoping that all of you will ask for a kit as well. The phone number is (202) 628-2700. Website is http://www.vva.org . They sent me an awesome package of information. It included Veteran Collectibles book, Veterans Magazine. I noticed that one of the collectibles they have is the Vietnam Service Medal with the year you served. It looks exactly what's on top of our banner.
. They have one for each year up to 75. Its mad out of medal and you can use it for a lapel pin.
4. I also added the Vietnam Veterans of America WebRing. So we can be part of all the sites.
Wednesday, 19 April 2000
1. I did a interview with NBC. They wanted me to show our website and asked lots of questions about it, our planned reunion and the whole story about the evacuation. When I got home I continued to work with http://www.register.com to get our path assigned correctly to our new website. I'm hoping by this afternoon it should be up and running. This was a bad time to make all these changes with the media and the reunion but I think everything will work out OK. Ken I will add Major Kean's story tonight.
Sunday, April 15-16, 2000
1. Created a badly needed new Guestbook. Archived our old Guestbook and created and linked a new paged name Second Guestbook. in only 5 1/2 hours. I think the Second Guestbook is easier to read and manage. I am going to figure out how to send a EMail back to our senders to thank them and invite them back for any updated items.
2. Added our site to the Top 25 Marine Corps Site
and provided them with our banner. The top 25 Marine Corps Websites are based on total hits so we should get on the top real soon.
3. I will be switching websites from the free Geocities to a real Internet Service Provider. One of the reason for leaving GeoCities is because of the ugly icon it puts on our front page and lack of space for growth. This will be a permanent website that will cost $8.00 a month. This Internet service provider will give us 45 MB of web space for growth, free counter, java scripts and cgi-script and use with FrontPage 2000 which I'm using. My little brother Randy Broussard uses the same ISP for his website the "Texas Brigade". His website is http://www.texas-brigade.com if anyone wants to take a look at the speed etc... Whats good about this switch is that I have already started to change links all over the net to our new http://www.fallofsaigon.org website. So it will not effect our new domain name at all. So for the next 5 years our only bill will be $8.00 @ month. In five years from now we will have to renew our domain name. Any questions please EMail me @ colinbroussard@cs.com
Friday, April 14, 2000
1. NBC News wants some interviews. I have EMailed alot of you already about it. If you want to interview please EMail me and I will provide you with all the contact information.
Thursday, April 13, 2000
1. Good news today. The Vietnam Veterans of America has accepted us for membership. I sent off a letter to them asking if we qualify and explained our dilemma on the Vietnam Service Medal. Below is his response:
Vietnam Veterans of America
http://www.vva.org/Mr. Broussard:
Eligibility for VVA membership is Feb 28, 1961 - May 7, 1975 if you served
in Vietnam. You and your group would be very welcomed in VVA. Please send
me your address and I'll forward an info packet.
Allen Green
Tuesday, April 11, 2000
1. Went through each webpage and reviewed spelling and grammar.
2. If there are any changes of EMail Addresses please send them in.
3. Updated all htm page and sent them to the Internet.
4. Deleted WebRings and will reinstall with new http://www.fallofsaigon.org URL.
5. As soon as the URL is active will write letters to all webmasters to change our URL including HQMC and the MSG Schoool. All search engines must all so change, Yahoo, Infoseek, AltaVista, Excite, AOL, CompuServe.
Wednesday, April 12, 2000
1. Very happy to say that our new domain http://www.fallofsaigon.org is up and working.
2.
This site has been reviewed by History Television staff and has
now been added to the Archive in the Wars & Conflicts section. I received this from the History Channel today. What an honor. This link is on the frmMain page which is the right page in the frames.
Monday, April 10, 2000
1. Used funds from one our Fall of Saigon Marine to purchase our website
The Domain Name we wanted http://www.fallofsaigon.com was taken one month before we tried to get it. I asked to purchase it. They told me its for some museum.
We also purchased a Redirector Services to redirect http://www.fallofsaigon.org to http://www.Geocities.com/Pentagon/Camp/4006 This way we have a free website space provided by Geocities/Yahoo. We have the http://www.fallofsaigon.com for 5 years. I only purchased one year of redirection service. The reunion Marines should figure for $50 a year to maintain this redirection service if you want to contribute to this fund. I would not like to be the treasure of this money and I would be pleased if we appoint a treasure at our reunion. I'll be pleased to contribute money and time.
I figured it will take me 6 months to get all the links directed back to http://www.fallofsaigon.com Please be advised that it will take about 3 days for all the services to come up. So continue to use the http://www.Geocities.com/Pentagon/Camp/4006.for three more days.
Monday, March 27, 2000
2. Corrected Kevin Maloney EMail address. KevOTBeach@aol
Friday, March 24, 2000
2. Updated the Vietnam Service Medal page
3. Updated the Main page with link to Vietnam Service Medal w/ltr to the Congress.
Saturday, March 18, 2000
1. Completed the web site transfer
From: http://www2.4dcomm.com/amhorse
To: http://www.Geocities.com/Pentagon/Camp/40062. Changed Ken Crouse's EMail to kcrouse@mericom
2. I cannot tell you guys how please I am to get this Domain Name. Its been a constant hassle for me because everytime I moved to a different Internet Service Provider it took me 6 months to get everything unscrewed.
3. I'm getting interview request for our 25th reunion. I think it would be nice if we appoint a Media Manager or Public Affairs Officer for our organization. We also need to get more personal stories in "Our Story" section. You guys see the comments we get in the guestbook. I would also like to have an Editor to unscramble my grammar.
4. If anyone has any comments or concerns or wants to add or delete something please EMail them to me at colinbroussard@.cs.com.
5. Fixed pictures of Marines in South China Sea in "Our Story".
Sunday, January 16, 2000
1. Changed the following Marines EMails:
Steve Hasty stevehasty@ex-pressnet.com
Ken Crouse KenCrouse@prodigy.net
Kevin Maloney KevOTBeach@aol.com
Steve Johnson sejohnson2@mmm.com
Colin Broussard colinbroussard@cs.com* I know I left out one of our Marines. Ken if you remember please email me. Thanks. Colin
2. Note from the WebMaster. I have moved my Internet services to CompuServe. The are offering $400 rebate if you buy a new computer which I did. Its a 530 MHz with 4 barrel crab, headers and a 4 speed.
I will keep my old Internet site open for 1 month until I can update and move to our website to CompuServe. We are talking about obtaining our on Domain Name. "fallofsaigon.com" but still looking for funds. Maybe we can all chip in. Will be checking on the actual prices. I believe there is a one time fee and additional annual fees. There are problems when I move because of all the links and indexing. We have usmc.mil, Marine Embassy School and tons of other Vietnam related links to us that must be change. Plus I have to reIndex all Search Engines. Lots of work and time. So our site will be interrupted. When we get our Domian Name it doesn't matter where I move. All links and indexing will maintain the same. Any thoughts are appreciated.
We are getting lots of request for students doing reports. I don't know how you feel about it but I'm proud that we can tell history the way it was. If any of you would like to write up something for them I will post it on the website.
3. Updated each web page and copied it to the server.
Happy New Years. Saigon Marines.
Colin Broussard
Saturday, December 18, 1999
1. Scanned in 24 photos
3. Added LCpl Judge's grave picture to our Rest n Peace page.
Monday, December 13, 1999
1. With Front Page 98 I was able to use the Spell Check and get most of my typos fixed. I assure you there are many still out there.
Sunday, December 12, 1999
2. New main picture on front page.
Our Story || Marine Roster
|| Rest in Peace || Reunions || Members
EMail || Pictures of the Embassy || Vietnam Service
Medal || Media || Ltr from President
Ford || Saigon Ladder to Roof || Misc
Photos || Tribute to Pilots and Crew || Tribute to U.S.
Navy || Bibliography || Students
& Educators || Street Map of Saigon || Web Site
Awards || Previous Messages from Visitors
|| Ltr from President Ford || LCpl
Judge || Cpl McMahon || NVA
Victory || PPSU House || Fall of Saigon Officers and Association
Business || Links || Whats
New ||
