The Official Voice of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ®
An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress
March/April 2005
FROM THE NATIONAL CHAPLAINTaps
BY REV.PHIL SALOIS, M.S. Brian V. Abbey died recently in Rutland, Vermont. He was born March 16, 1947. Abbey was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Rutland Chapter 1.
Samuel David Alfred died December 14 in Houston. He was born June 14, 1947. Hudson served in the U.S. Marine Corps assigned to the First Marine Division in Vietnam and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Nacogdoches Chapter 931.
James D. Allen died May 4 in Cottondale, Alabama. He was born March 14, 1948. Allen served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Tuscaloosa Chapter 301.
Henry C. Baker, Jr., died January 18 in Camp Meeker, California. He was born April 11, 1922. Baker served in the U.S. Navy during World War II assigned to the Pacific theater. He was a life member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Santa Rosa Chapter 223.
Hollis Lee Baker died recently in Puyallup, Washington. He was born August 22, 1942. Baker was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Renton Chapter 319.
Michael Steven Bettis died January 15 in Ringgold, Georgia, of cancer. He was born October 10, 1948. Bettis served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam with the 3rd Marine Division and received a Purple Heart. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Chattanooga Chapter 203.
Bohdan Bortnyk died November 27, 2004, in Philadelphia of heart failure. He was born March 18, 1947, in Philadelphia. Bortnyk served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Liberty Bell (Philadelphia) Chapter 266.
James R. Boyles died August 3, 2004, in San Springs, Oklahoma, of a heart attack. He was born November 15, 1946. Boyles was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Tulsa Chapter 216.
Dennis Brewer died April 22, 2004, in Holland, Michigan. He was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Holland Chapter 73.
Richard A. Bridges died in August 2001 in Edgewood, Maryland. He was born November 26, 1946. Bridges was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Baltimore Chapter 451.
James Dean Bridwell died December 31, 2004, in Dayton, Tennessee, of an aneurysm. He was born in Dayton on January 12, 1945. Bridwell served in the U.S. Army with a tour of duty in Vietnam and he received the Bronze Star. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Chattanooga Chapter 203.
Larry E. Burchfield died November 7, 2004, in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, of a heart attack. He was born May 26, 1948, in Okmulgee, Oklahoma. Burchfield served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam from 1967-68. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Tulsa Chapter 216.
Maynard Charles Campbell, Sr., died November 15, 2004, in Lufkin, Texas, of cardiopulmonary arrest due to renal failure, bowel ischemia, and coronary artery disease. He was born September 26, 1918. Campbell served in the U.S. Air Force during World War II and Korea, and was serving in the Colorado Air National Guard when he was called up to active duty in Vietnam from 1968-69. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Nacogdoches Chapter 931.
Charles William Culp died October 13, 2004, in Wichita Falls, Texas, of myocardial infarction. He was born September 5, 1939. Culp served 14 years in the U.S. Air Force with a tour of duty in the Vietnam War at the Tuy Hoa Air Force Base. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Lawton (Oklahoma) Chapter 751.
Truzell Deramus died December 7, 2004, in Prattville, Alabama, of congestive heart failure, acute coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease due to diabetes mellitus type II. He was born October 12, 1934. Deramus served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1967-68 with the Fourth Infantry Division as a platoon sergeant and was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” device. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Birmingham (Alabama) Chapter 416.
Edward G. Dewald died June 5, 2002, in Ocala, Florida, of a massive heart attack. He was born September 3, 1947. Dewald served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1968-69. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Silver Springs Chapter 814.
Albert Norris Earle died December 4, 2004, in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, of a heart attack. He was born on May 4, 1943. Earle served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Hayden Lake Chapter 673.
Thomas E. Farrell died November 24, 2004, in Erie, Pennsylvania. He was born on February 21, 1939. Farrell served in the U.S. Navy with the Seabees with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Erie Chapter 435.
Jerry Rudolph Fink died recently in Davie, Florida. Fink was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Fort Lauderdale Chapter 23.William J. Fleischman died in his sleep January 8 in Neenah, Wisconsin. He was born October 15, 1950. Fleischman served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Appleton Chapter 351 and served as its past vice-president and member of its board of directors.
Hugh F. Foster, Jr., died December13, 2004, of a brain tumor. He was born March 2, 1918. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1941. He culminated his 34 years of dedicated military service as the Commanding General of the U.S. Army’s Electronics Command and Fort Monmouth in 1975. He was awarded the Army Commendation Medal twice, the Legion of Merit four times, and the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his service in Vietnam, as well as several foreign decorations. In recognition of his work with the codetalkers and his support of the Comanche Nation, he was made a Comanche blood-brother. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Doylestown (Pennsylvania) Chapter 210.
Sheldon L. Gotschall died July 3, 2004, in Canton, Ohio, in a motor vehicle accident. He was born April 22, 1951. Gotschall served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam and later in the U.S. Army Reserves. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Sharon Lane Memorial (Canton) Chapter 199.
Bernard A. Heeney, Jr., died December 31, 2004, in New York City of a heart attack. He was born February 1, 1948. Heeney served in the U.S. Army in the Vietnam War with the 1st Cavalry Division in 1969. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Bayonne Chapter 151.
Thomas J. Kropp, Jr., died November 1, 2004, in Smithfield, North Carolina, as the result of a motorcycle accident. He was born September 23, 1945. Kropp was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Sharon Lane Memorial (Canton) Chapter 199.
Edwin James died late in 2004 in Jackson, Michigan. He was born June 1, 1930. James served in the U.S. Army from 1966-70, with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Michigan.
John Johnson died November 3, 2004, in Junction City, Kansas. He was born November 13, 1947. Johnson was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Junction City Chapter 344.
Steve L. Kiess died recently in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He was born December 17, 1948. Kiess was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Maryland.
Alan R. Ladd died in October 2003 in Clermont, Florida. Ladd was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an at-large life member of Vietnam Veterans of America- California.
Richard C. “Wazoo” Langley died January 29 in Millville, New Jersey. He was born October 21, 1946. Langley served in the U.S. Army, with a tour of duty in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division. He was awarded two Purple Hearts and a host of other military decorations. He was an at-large life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-New Jersey.
Harry D. Lassak died May 9, 2004, near Filbert, West Virginia, of renal cell carcinoma. He was born September 22, 1949, in Welch, West Virginia. Lassak served in the U.S. Army and was disabled as a result of his service in Vietnam. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Blue-Grey (Princeton, West Virginia) Chapter 628.
Daniel J. Lucas died December 19, 2004, in Saint Bernard, Louisiana, at the age of 54. The cause of death was Agent Orange-related cancer. He was born November 1, 1950. Lucas served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Meraux Chapter 550.
David D. Maffitt died May 4, 2004, in Valparaiso, Indiana. He was born April 1, 1948. Maffitt was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Merrillville Chapter 285.
John J. Malloy III died April 15, 2004, in Twin Rock, Pennsylvania. He was born March 14, 1945. Malloy was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Johnstown Chapter 364.
Louanna McKeon died December 25, 2004, in Sugar Land, Texas, in an automobile accident. She was a member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Houston Chapter 343.
June Miller died December 19, 2003, in Shelton, Connecticut. She was the mother of Susan Chechoski, the AVVA Region One Liaison. Miller was a member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Milford Chapter 251.
William C. Miller died recently in Bruceton Mills, West Virginia. He was born October 30, 1940. Miller served in the U.S. Army from 1964-66 during
the Vietnam era. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Morgantown Chapter 306.Donald J. Minks died November 15, 2004, in Bossier City, Louisiana, of an Agent Orange-related brain tumor. Minks was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Shreveport Chapter 493.
John C. Moreno died December 21, 2004, in Birmingham, Alabama. Moreno was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Birmingham Chapter 416.
Burton A. Mosely, Jr., died January 25 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. He was born May 20, 1949, in Tuscaloosa. Mosley served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Tuscaloosa Chapter 301.
Joseph A. O’Leary III died September 25, 2004, in Philadelphia of lung cancer. He was born June 7, 1947. O’Leary served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Vietnam from 1966-67 and was awarded the Purple Heart. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Pennsylvania.
Louis George Pelletier died November 29, 2004, in Grass Valley, California. He was born July 3, 1947. Pelletier served in the U.S. Army from 1966-68, with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Grass Valley Chapter 535.Richard L. Phillips, 59, died October 25, 2004, in Kennesaw, Georgia, of renal cancer. Phillips served in the U.S. Army and Army Reserves for 30 years, including service in Vietnam from 1967-68. He also served in Desert Storm in Southwest Asia.
Martin Prast died recently in Grand Island, New York. Prast was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Grand Island Chapter 77.
William Richard Pressel, Sr., died November 12, 2004, in Tampa, Florida, of liver disease. He was born January 20, 1940. Pressel served in the U.S. Marine Corps for 26 years and retired at the rank of Sergeant Major. He served in-country in Vietnam. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Tampa Chapter 787.
Thomas F. Reese died recently in Barton, Maryland. He was born November 30, 1945. Reese was a veteran of the Vietnam War and an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Maryland.
James R. Robinson died several years ago in Asheville, North Carolina. Robinson served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Clyde Chapter 124.
Michael Romano died June 6, 2004, in Union, New Jersey. He was born June 9, 1948. Romano was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Westfield Chapter 688.
James W. Sanders died December 26, 2004, in Penfield, New York, of chronic lymphocytic leukemia related to Agent Orange exposure. He was born on September 30, 1946. Sanders served in the U.S. Army, with a tour of duty in Vietnam in 1969. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Bay Village Chapter 249.
Theresa Sandman died in September 2004 in Jacksonville, North Carolina, of cancer. Sandman was a member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Jacksonville Chapter 654.
James Schifferstein died September 9, 2004, in Meraux, Louisiana. He was born April 16, 1947. Schifferstein served in the U.S. Navy. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Meraux Chapter 550.
John Newbold Selby, Sr., died February 5, 2004, in Onancock, Virginia, of a heart attack. He was born on June 2, 1931. Selby retired after 22 years of service in the Virginia Army National Guard from 1947-69. He was a Vietnam-era veteran. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Onley Chapter 614.
Bob Shaner, Jr., died November 17, 2004, in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, of a massive heart attack. He was born April 27, 1953. Shaner served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Pottstown Chapter 565.
Doyle R. Shirley died August 8, 2004, in Atmore, Alabama, of a heart attack. He was born March 10, 1947. Shirley served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Atmore Chapter 190.
Paul Skoglund died October 28, 2004, in Cantonment, Florida, of cancer. He was born October 14, 1937. Skoglund served in the U.S. Army from 1964-77, with service in the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Arlington Chapter 227.
Emmett R. Sky died recently in Phoenix, Arizona. He was born July 1, 1945. Sky was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Phoenix Chapter 432.
Ralph E. St. George died in 2003 in Forestdale, Massachusetts. He was born June 29, 1932. George served in the U.S. Air Force from 1952-75, with service in Vietnam from 1968-69. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Hyannis Chapter 338.
Sam Sprague died August 22, 2004, in Brookings, Oregon, of liver disease caused by hepatitis C. He was born April 6, 1949. Sprague was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Brookings Chapter 757.
Jeffrey Charles Stahl died August 14, 2004, in Enterprise, Oregon. He was born April 25, 1950. Stahl served in the U.S. Marine Corps with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Cumberland Chapter 172.
Norman A. Strom died recently in Shirley, New York. He was born February 4, 1949. Strom served in the U.S. Navy from 1969-71, with service during the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Farmingville Chapter 11.
Rodney E. Struble died recently in Meridian, California. He was born January 4, 1944. Struble served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Merced Chapter 691.
Zadis D. Tackett died May 8, 2004, in Beaver, Kentucky. Tackett was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America- Kentucky.
Bruce E. Thornton died in October 2004 in Rochester, Washington. Thornton was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an at-large life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Washington State.Marlin D. Thorsgaard died September 27, 2004, in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Thorsgaard was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Mayville (North Dakota) Chapter 374.
Robert C. Tilly died recently in Bluff City, Tennessee. He was born July 18, 1930. Tilly was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Tennessee.
Franklin E. Tower died recently in Middletown, Delaware. He was born May 14, 1938. Tower was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-LeRoy (New York) Chapter 193.
Joseph Tyler died recently in Chester, Maryland. He was born September 20, 1948. Tyler was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Port Deposit Chapter 722.
Thomas M. Ullman died November 11, 2004, in Aniwa, Wisconsin. Ullman was a veteran of the Vietnam War and a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Wausau Chapter 479.
Robert F. Van Buskirk died May 17, 2004, in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Buskirk was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Norristown Chapter 349.
John F. Vickers, Jr., died August 29, 2004, in Lompoc, California. He was born June 16, 1932. Vickers was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Santa Barbara Chapter 218.
Suzanne P. Viol died October 15, 2004, in Cleveland. She was born October 17, 1955. She was a member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Parma Chapter 15.
Bruce Walker died recently in Martinsville, Indiana. He was a life member of Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America-Lawrence Chapter 295.Gary L. Weaver died January 27 in Goose Creek, South Carolina. He was born July 13, 1950. Weaver served in the U.S. Marine Corps with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a member and, along with his wife, a prime moving force in getting Vietnam Veterans of America-Charleston Chapter 780 started.
Garth W. Weedin died recently in North Bend, Washington. He was born September 25, 1947. Weedin was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was an at-large life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Washington.
Jeffrey S. Wernick died March 1, 2002, in Bayonne, New Jersey, of Agent Orange-related liver cancer. Wernick was a veteran of the Vietnam War from 1967-68. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Bayonne Chapter 151.
William Sheridian Weyand died January 3 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, of a massive heart attack. He was born March 11, 1948. Weyand served in the U.S. Navy, with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Beaver County Chapter 862.
Edward L. Whiteman, Jr., died recently in Perrineville, New Jersey. He was born March 16, 1951. Whiteman was a veteran of the Vietnam War. He was a life member of Vietnam Veterans of America-East Rutherford Chapter 800.
Floyd J. Williamson died August 23 in Jacksonville, North Carolina. He was born October 7, 1931. Williamson was a Vietnam-era veteran. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-North Carolina.
Carlton Ray Wright died May 18, 2004, in North Adams, Massachusetts, of a subdural hematoma resulting from exposure to Agent Orange. He was born July 26, 1936. He served in the U.S. Army from 1955-58 in Bordeaux, France. He also served in the U.S. Air Force Reserve from 1959-62. He then enlisted in the U.S. Navy Seabees Reserve in 1962, serving in Vietnam in 1968-69. He retired in 1987 with more than 30 years’ service. He was an at-large member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Massachusetts.
Ronald L. Zimmerman died January 12 in Bay City, Michigan, of cancer. He was born July 17, 1944. Zimmerman served in the U.S. Air Force, with a tour of duty in Vietnam. He was a member of Vietnam Veterans of America-Bay City Chapter 494.
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