The Official Voice of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ®
An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress
January/February 2006
FROM THE NATIONAL CHAPLAINTaps
BY REV.PHIL SALOIS, M.S.
Raymond M. Asmus died April 27, 2005, in Clinton, Iowa, at the age of 59. The cause of death is unknown. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Davenport Chapter 776.Jerry L. Boise died recently in Xenia, Ohio. He was born February 3, 1944. Boise served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Dayton Chapter 97.
Robert O. Brown, Jr., died recently in Houston. He was born August 10, 1944, in Houston. Brown served in the U.S. Air Force as a medical service specialist from 1964-68. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Houston Chapter 343.
James A. Chambers died September 19 in Athens, Alabama, of cancer. Chambers was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Athens Chapter 511.
Thomas J. Collins died recently in Milford, Pennsylvania. He was born February 28, 1947. He served in the U.S. Army from September 1966-68, with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Dingman’s Ferry Chapter 623.
John E. Damron died July 25, 2005, in Show Low, Arizona. The cause of death is unknown. He was born October 13, 1948, in Grants Pass, Oregon. Damron served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War from November 1967-68 with the 1st Infantry Division, 1/28th Black Lions, Company A, and attained the rank of sergeant. He was an at-large life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Arizona.
Larry H. De Jaeghere died recently in Chesterfield, Michigan. The cause of death is unknown. He was born October 9, 1947. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Mt. Clemens Chapter 154.
William M. Evenson died October 30, 2005, in Gladwin, Michigan. The cause of death is unknown. He was born January 2, 1955, in San Bernardino, California. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Sterling Chapter 390.
Joseph L. Ferreira died October 10, 2005, in Henderson, Nevada. The cause of death was pancreatic cancer. He was born January 13, 1941. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Las Vegas Chapter 17.
David Jay Fogle died recently in Spokane, Washington. The cause of death is unknown. Fogle was born March 4, 1951. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Spokane Chapter 879.
Bruce F. Gastmeier, Sr., died recently in Warren, Michigan. The cause of death is unknown. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Mt. Clemens Chapter 154.
Gary D. Graham died March 31, 2005, in Libertyville, Illinois. The cause of death is unknown. He was born August 6, 1940. Graham was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was an at-large life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Georgia.
Michael A. Graham died recently in Houston. The cause of death is unknown. He was born August 12, 1927. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and retired at the rank of Master Sergeant. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Houston Chapter 343.
James N. “Gunny” Hatch died September 1, 2005, in Berkshire, New York. He was born August 9, 1939. He served in the U.S. Army, Navy, and Marine Corps from 1961-66. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Owego Chapter 480.
Curtis L. Hatterman died December 14, 2005, in Enid, Oklahoma. The cause of death is unknown. He was born January 28, 1946. He served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam with Charlie Company, 5/60, 9th Infantry Division, from June to October 1968, and then with Charlie Company 1/16, 1st First Infantry Division, from October 1968 to June 1969. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Enid Chapter 940.
John A. Helley, Sr., died September 16, 2005, in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The cause of death is unknown. He was born March 1, 1937. Helley served in the U.S. Navy from June 1954 to August 1978, with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was an at-large life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-North Dakota.
James Ellis Helms, Sr., died November 23, 2005, in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. The cause of death is unknown. He was born March 1, 1949. He served in the U.S. Army from October 1968-71, with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a life member
of Vietnam Veterans of America-Myrtle Beach Chapter 925.Thomas P. Herlihy died of cancer on December 12, 2005, in North White Plains, New York. He was born May 29, 1948, in the Bronx, New York. Herlihy served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War with the 4th Infantry Division. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Pleasantville Chapter 49. 3
James E. Herula died recently in Warren, Michigan. The cause of death is unknown. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Mt. Clemens Chapter 154.
Raphael M. Hoff died of a heart attack September 6, 2005, in Fargo, North Dakota. He was born November 20, 1932. Hoff was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a
member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Fargo Chapter 941.Ronald C. Hoffman died August 25, 2005, in Butler, Pennsylvania. The cause of death is unknown. He was born August 30, 1945. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Beaver Falls Chapter 862.
John Ray Hopperstad died in March 2005 in Boise, Idaho. The cause of death is unknown. He was born August 12, 1947. Hopperstad was a veteran of the Vietnam War and was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Boise Chapter 872.
James Whedon Howe died November 14, 2005, in Grove, Oklahoma. The cause of death is unknown. He was born June 23, 1941, in Escondido, California. Howe served in the U.S. Navy from 1959 to 1965. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Grove Chapter 878. He was a retired pastor.
James J. Justus, Jr., died recently in Kerrville, Texas. The cause of death is unknown. He was born August 9, 1946. A veteran of the Vietnam War, he was a permanently hospitalized member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Kerrville Chapter 863.
William Kieffer died recently in Henderson, Nevada. The cause of death is unknown. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Mount Clemens (Michigan) Chapter 154.
Dennis G. Klein died June 8, 2005, in Middletown, New York. The cause of death is unknown. He was born August 18, 1951. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps from August 1969 to April 1971, with a tour of duty in the Vietnam War. Klein was an at-large life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-New York.
Charles W. Lawhorn died recently in Eaton, Ohio. The cause of death is unknown. He was born March 5, 1948, and served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Dayton Chapter 97.
George E. Marley died recently in Houston. The cause of death is unknown. He was born in Niagara Falls, New York, on March 24, 1951. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Aviation Ordnance from April 1968-70. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Houston Chapter 343.
Jesse B. Massey died in September 2005 in Athens, Alabama. The cause of death was heart failure. He was born September 5, 1949, and served in the U.S. Army from 1971-74. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Athens Chapter 511.
Michael B. Matney died October 2, 2005, at the Ohio State University Medical Center. A resident of Heath, Ohio, he died from cancer. He was born April 25, 1947, in Ironton, Ohio. Matney served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War with two tours of duty with the 5th Special Forces S.O.G. He was the recipient of the Distinguished Service Cross, the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and six Purple Hearts. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Newark (Ohio) Chapter 55.
Hubert McAlister died recently in Roseville, Michigan. The cause of death is unknown. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Mt. Clemens Chapter 154.
Patrick J. McGarvey died September 26, 2005, in Mays Landing, New Jersey. The cause of death is unknown. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Somers Point Chapter 228.
Danal Maurice Meza died September 7, 2005, in Boulder City, Nevada. The cause of death was heart failure. He was born November 26, 1941, in New York City. Meza served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Las Vegas Chapter 17.
Christopher N. Mike died recently in Superior, Wisconsin. The cause of death is unknown. He was born July 15, 1953. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Wisconsin.
Herman W. Mims died in September 2005 in Athens, Alabama. The cause of death is unknown. He was born May 3, 1948. Mims served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Athens Chapter 511.
Charles D. Murray, Jr., died February 15, 2005, in Montclair, New Jersey, from cancer. He was born November 10, 1948, in Newark. He served in the U.S. Army from April 1969 to January 1971. In Vietnam, he served from May 1970 to January 1971 with the Americal Division, the 25th Infantry Division, and the 3/18th Artillery Unit. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Cedar Grove Chapter 510.
Robert Nielsen died December 26, 2003, in Waukesha, Wisconsin. The cause of death is unknown. Nielsen was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Oconomowoc Chapter 635.
Jerry M. Nix died November 15, 2005, in Comfort, Texas. The cause of death is unknown. Nix was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Fayetteville (Tennessee) Chapter 580.
Jimmy L. Perry died recently in Troy, Ohio. The cause of death is unknown. He was born May 4, 1952. Perry served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Dayton Chapter 97.
Darryl L. Petersen died July 8, 2004, in Clinton, Iowa. The cause of death was Agent Orange-related cancer. He was born December 31, 1939, and he was a veteran of the Vietnam War. Petersen was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Iowa.
Thomas B. Price, Sr., died July 9, 2005, in Pittsville, Maryland. The cause of death is unknown. He was born November 10, 1925. Price was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Princess Anne Chapter 624.
Paul A. Pulkkinen died December 15, 2005, in Worcester, Massachusetts. He was born November 1, 1946, in Gardner, Massachusetts. He served in the U.S. Army from September 1968 to April 1970, with a tour of duty in Vietnam. Pulkkinen received the Purple Heart for wounds sustained in combat action. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America- Auburn Chapter 554.
Clayton C. “Chief” Pyle died of pulmonary hypertension December 12, 2005, in Bloomington, Minnesota. He was born September 5, 1930, in Rockford, Illinois. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War and in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War, where he served in Thailand. Pyle was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Saint Paul Chapter 320.
Kent E. Rehnback died December 4, 2004, in Long Beach, New York. The cause of death is unknown. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Hicksville Chapter 82.
John Marvin Schmidt died December 6, 2005, in Kansas City, Missouri. The cause of death is unknown. He was born October 19, 1948, in Springfield, Nebraska. He served in the U.S. Air Force for six years from June 1967-71, with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Kansas City Chapter 317.
Robert Michael Schmidt died December 8, 2005, in Ames, Iowa. The cause of death was Agent Orange-related cancer. He was born November 22, 1946, in Sidney, Nebraska. He served in the U.S. Navy from October 1965 to December 1968 with a tour in Vietnam at Danang and I Corps as a combat construction builder from August 1966 to April 1967. He was an at-large life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Iowa.
Arthur Schwartz died in December 2004 in Johnson City, New York. The cause of death is unknown. Schwartz was born October 28, 1943. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Endicott Chapter 896.
Robert H. Shepherd died December 5, 2003, in Berryville, Virginia. The cause of death is unknown. He was born September 21, 1948. He served in the U.S. Army from April 1967 to November 1969 with an in-country tour in the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Woodbridge Chapter 617.
Robert J. Slocum died October 4, 2005, in Commerce City, Colorado. The cause of death is unknown. He was born February 24, 1948, and was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Arvada Chapter 819.
Richard A. Smith died recently in Aquebogue, New York, after being struck by a motor vehicle while crossing Interstate 75 on foot. He was born June 6, 1947. He served in the U.S. Army from January 1967-69, with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Georgia.
Edward G. Sobjack died recently in Eastpointe, Michigan. The cause of death is unknown. He was born July 7, 1946. Sobjack was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Mt. Clemens Chapter 154.
Kenneth L. Stalnaker died September 11, 2005, in Mount Storm, West Virginia. The cause of death is unknown. He was born May 4, 1950. Stalnaker served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam from January 1969 to August 1970. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Cumberland Chapter 172.
John W. Stephenson died in 2004 in Rogers, Arkansas. The cause of death is unknown. He was born November 10, 1944. Stephenson was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Fayetteville Chapter 323.
Thomas H. Thompson died November 12, 2005, in San Antonio, Texas. The cause of death is unknown. He was born August 20, 1937, in Knoxville, Tennessee. He entered the U.S. Army in 1960 and retired 31 years later at the rank of command sergeant major (E-9) with a tour of duty in the Vietnam War. Among his many military awards were the Bronze Star and the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Lawton (Oklahoma) Chapter 751.
John G. Timulak died July 23, 2005, in Somerset, Pennsylvania, from complications associated with hepatitis C. He was born June 5, 1946. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War from January to October 1967. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Somerset Chapter 587. He was a member of the Somerset County Honor Guard and the VVA Chapter Honor Guard. He was also the Hospital Committee Chair at the Altoona VA Medical Center.
Faye Todd died of cancer September 17, 2005, in Lithia Springs, Georgia. She was born July 25, 1950. She was a member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Douglasville Chapter 935.
James H. Ulrey died September 30, 2005, in Victoria, Texas. He was born June 17, 1938. Ulrey served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War from October 1971 to May 1974. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Victoria Chapter 898.
Michael J. Venezia, Jr., died August 23, 2005, in Newport, Vermont. The cause of death is unknown. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Rutland Chapter 1.
Herman A. “Herm” Voellings died October 31, 2005, in Brockton, Massachusetts. He was a resident of Worcester, Massachusetts; the cause of death was dementia. He was born in Worcester on June 23, 1925. Voellings served in the U.S. Army from September 1950 to June 1953 with a tour of duty in the Korean War from March to December 1951. He also served from 1955-63 and then again from 1964-73, with a tour of duty in Vietnam from 1971-72. He was a charter member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Auburn Chapter 554.
John E. Wilkerson died July 22, 2005, in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, from brain cancer. He was born December 10, 1950, in South Pittsburg. He served in the U.S. Army from March 1970 to February 1972, with a 1971-72 tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Chattanooga Chapter 203.
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