God Bless Our Vietnam Veterans!

God Bless Our Vietnam Veterans
Thank You For Serving and Welcome Home!

My Brother, USMC 1958-1967

James Richard Blattner (photo taken in September of 1958)
June 27, 1940 - July 3, 2000

Courtesy of Marine Corps and Patriotic Graphics by Doug Kidd

These are the medals by brother received for his service, plus 3 Good Conduct Medals.

*The song that is playing was one of my brother's favorites. I taped it off of one of our old '45 records.

My Brother, a United States Marine

My brother, Jimmy enlisted in the USMC in September of 1958, three months after his 18th birthday. I was three years old at the time. The first time I remember Jimmy coming home on leave was around the time the song, "Daddy's Little Girl" by Al Martino, was popular. I was some time before I started kindergarten, and we just bought that record. I don't know why I remember that. Jimmy stayed in the Marine Corps for 8 years, and in 1966, he was sent to Vietnam. He returned home in November of 1967.

While in Vietnam, Jimmy sent home pictures and some coins. He also brought home what used to be called 'oriental' dolls from Vietnam, for my little sister for Christmas. I guess they were dolls modeled after Vietnamese women. We still have a picture of my sister sitting in between the dolls on the dining room floor.

My brother never talked about his time in Vietnam. I have heard from other Vietnam Veterans that it was not something they talked about either, until years later. I do not know if the Marine Corps trained him for what happened a short while after he returned home. Both of my parents went into the hospital at some point, one from a heart attack, and the other for broken bones in their back. Jimmy was left in charge of the younger ones during the day because he worked nights, while my older siblings worked during the day.

If the Marine Corps did not teach the soldiers how to cook, then I can't really blame them for some of the things my brother made for us for dinner. I will never forget the time he made instant mashed potatoes for us. Instant mashed potatoes were a fairly new product that my mother refused to use. My brother added too much liquid and the mashed potatoes were like heavy cream. When my younger sister and I complained about them, he growled, "Ah, they're good for you. Just eat them!" Once a Marine, always a Marine, or so I've heard, so we ate them but we still didn't like them.

My brother was a lot of fun to ride in the car with. He was impatient with crazy drivers and he would roll down the window of his 1968 Red Mustang and scream obsenities at them. We used to laugh hysterically. But then he would holler at us for laughing. I never got my driver's license, but whenever I am in the car with someone and an idiot driver does something they shouldn't have, I push the button on the automatic window and yell obscentities at them. I think of my brother a lot when I'm traveling by car.

We used to tell Jimmy that he reminded us of Sgt. Carter, the character played by Frank Sutton, on the show, Gomer Pyle USMC. He would give us a dirty look and yell, "What are you talking about?", everytime we said it. I think the resemblance was there, and he liked to yell at us a lot. You decide:

"What are you talking about, Pyle?!"

Jimmy returned home safe from Vietnam. We were one of the lucky ones. He married and had children, and left his children with many wonderful memories, too. Unfortunately, my brother passed away just one week after his 60th birthday, too young and too soon. He left all of us with lots of funny stories to tell and his memory keeps my pride in America's servicemen and women alive and well.

"Welcome Home! Thanks For Serving!!

This tribute comes too late for those Vietnam Veterans who have passed on. Vietnam Veterans did not receive the heroes welcome they earn and deserved from their fellow countrymen, and for that I apologize. For enabling me to sleep under the blanket of freedom our Vietnam Veterans fought for, I want to say, "Thank You and Welcome Home!" This tribute is intended to convey a message to all Vietnam Veterans that their service to their country and to all of its citizens, is appreciated.

A "Gathering of Eagles"

On, March 17, 2007, veterans and all who support our troops went to Washington, DC wiht a 'Gathering of Eagles' to protect the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, an other war memorials to oppose the anti-war protesters' "march on the Pentagon".

For complete details on the event, visit the following websites:

It is Time to Take America Back!

Gathering of Eagles

Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally

The U.S. Veterans Dispatch

Find Out Why the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Needed to be Protected

Why I Joined the Gathering of Eagles in Washington, DC on March 17, 2007?

Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans

I'm glad I was born in America I'm grateful that I'm free But there are those I never thanked Who fought for you and me

They went away a long time ago Proud and happy to serve What they would face when they came home Was something they didn't deserve

It makes me sad to think about How disrespectful we were No ticker tape, no welcome home God, how did this occur?

They fought for freedom in a harsh land far away from their home They lived in conditions far worse than you or I have ever known

This message comes too late for some It's so sad but it's true Thank You, Vietnam Veterans I'm most grateful to you.

Our veterans are heroes In time of peace and war We mistreated the Vietnam Veterans It's time to say, "No more!"

Don't complain and moan and protest About what you do not know Be glad that the Vietnam Veterans went where you would not go

In Vietnam they fought to free those who wished to be We stayed home and closed our eyes We didn't want to see

If not for those who fought in Vietnam, Life would be different for me and you. It's time to say to Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home, God bless you and thank you!

© muldrake 1998

Find out more about the "Gathering of Eagles" by clicking on the button below:

And Still They Protest Too Much

The Vietnam War ended the year I graduated from high school. What I remember most about the war are the years I spent in high school listening to people protesting the war. It was always on the news and there were some incidents in my own school. What has been going on in this country recently regarding Operation Iraqi Freedom, has brought it all back. And it still makes me angry as hell!

Please visit the following websites to get views of the Vietnam war from Vietnam Veterans themselves. After all, they lived through it, literally, and they knew best what it was like

Vietnam Remembered

Back in the Delta

Scarface-Kingbee-219th VNAF

Several years ago, I belonged to a group that consisted mostly of Vietnam Veterans. They work hard to achieve a full accounting of all the POW/MIA's who never made it home to their families. Below are a few links to websites belonging to some of these Vietnam Veterans. Please visit their sites and see what you can do to help. I will be adding more as time allows.

They Still Serve

Welcome to the Meadow Years
The Meadow of Wildflowers - Period of American History

Karl's Korner
Let Us Never Forget Our Missing Heroes

Raptor's Nest
Working for a Full and Complete Accounting of our POW/MIA's

Viper's Vietnam Veterans Page
Lots of Information, Prepared to be Educated.

Col. Ted Guys' Hanoi Hilton Page
Gitmo's a country club compared to this place.

Bring Them All Home

There are POW/MIA's still unaccounted for from this country and others.
Please visit the following websites to find out how you can help these special groups bring them home.

Operation Just Cause

Task Force Omega, Inc.

P.O.W. Network

Forgotten in Philadelphia

On the weekend of October 22-26, 1987, a memorial was completed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial stands at Penn's Landing, near the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, two of the most famous Philadelphia landmarks. Philadelphia is the largest city in the state of Pennsylvania, whose state motto is "Virtue, Liberty, and Independence". Furthermore, the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall are two of the greatest reminders of the freedom we all enjoy. The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans' Memorial is a tribute to the six hundred and forty-three men from Philadelphia that gave their lives for the sake of freedom during the Vietnam War. The Memorial recognizes the names of the men that fought in the longest war in our Nation's history.

Although the memorial is a fitting tribute, it was not complete that day. Something was missing. There were twelve names omitted from the Memorial. Although the twelve men were born and raised in Philadelphia, officials left their names off the Memorial because their families had moved away from the Philadelphia area.

However, on the tenth anniversary of the completion of the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial, officials added the names of the twelve men. Now they join their brothers on the Memorial, finally given the recognition they so rightly deserve.

I apologize for any inaccuracies. I wrote this quite a few years ago and some information may have changed.)

(The twelve names added are as follows)

Richard Bariglio, SFC Army
Sept. 26, 1932- November 10, 1969

Patrick M. Corcoran, Seaman Navy
DOB: unknown Killed: June 3, 1969

Patrick T. De Marco, PFC Army
March 2, 1948- January 13, 1969

Richard J. Flagiello, PFC Army
June 29, 1949- May 12, 1969

Stephen B. Kirschner, PVT Marine Corps
June 22, 1947- January 8, 1968

Joseph E. Lauer
December 19, 1948-May 31, 1968

Thomas C. Mann, SGT Army Selective Service
October 12, 1948- January 11, 1969

Frank J. Mastromatteo, LCPL Marine Corps
February 3, 1949- April 8, 1968

Francis G. Patton, PFC Army Selective Service
December 6, 1945- May 13, 1969

Henry N. Rockower, PFC Army Selective Service
April 27, 1946- April 2, 1970

Charles E. Smith, PSG Army Regular
January 3, 1921- January 15, 1967

Guido Silvestro Reali, Jr.
April 26, 1943- February 7,1968

David H. Cooper III, 2LT Marine Corps Regular
June 22, 1941- March 25, 1967

Why Would Anyone Do This?

Philadelphia - May 28, 1996
Vandals Hit City Vietnam Memorial - The Monument Has Been Defaced Several Times

The Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial was defaced yesterday. Again. Vandals darkened part of the monument's granite walls, marking at least the fourth time the memorial has been soiled since its opening in October 1987. The vandals struck early on the day most sacred to veterans, who did not discover the damage until yesterday morning - during preparations for a Memorial Day ceremony. "I was kind of exasperated to think that someone would do something like this. I'm sickened,'' one veteran said.

Why Indeed??!!

Memories of Vietnam Veterans

Godspeed Willie!

Please visit a new page I did for a special Vietnam Veteran who recently passed away. I did not know him personally, but he helped me to understand what he went through as a Vietnam Veteran returning home form war. His name was Willie G. Dougherty. In addition to devoting his life to advocating for Veterans' Rights and Benefits, Willie also wrote the most beautiful poems. My tribute to Willie is the Welcome Home! he never received.

Welcome Home, Willie, Welcome Home

Close to Home

Robert James Sanders was killed at the young age of nineteen while serving his country. I decided on this special tribute to him because he came from the neighborhood where I grew up in Philadelphia. Athough I did not know this boy personally, he was the brother of my sister's best friend. I remember visiting his house one day with my sister and I recall seeing a picture of him on their stereo in his uniform. I cannot remember the date of that incident, so he may have already been killed in the Vietnam War by that time.

One day, while visiting his house with my sister, I remember seeing a picture of him on their stereo or television in his uniform. I wonder if he died before that day. I don't even know. Even those of us who did not lose a family member to the Vietnam War, have a memory or two that comes to mind whenever we think back to the turbulent decade of the 1960's.

In Memoriam

Robert James Sanders

SP4 - Army - Regular

173rd Airborne Brigade 19 years old Born on 09/11/48 in PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA Length of service 1 year. His tour of duty began on 03/07/67 Casualty was on 11/19/67 in Kontum, South Vietnam

This is an excerpt from A Note from The Virtual Wall

"Robert J. Sanders, W. Fisher Avenue, Olney section of Philadelphia, PA - Sanders wanted to become a paratrooper and joined the Army in September 1965 after graduating from Olney High School. The 19-year-specialist four (SP4), a rifleman and automatic weapons specialist, was sent to Vietnam and was assigned to Company C of the 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade, 101 st Airborne Division. Sanders died on November 19, 1967, while dragging wounded comrades to safety when his unit came under heavy fire."

Robert Sanders died in the battle for HIl 875. A summary and the list of the men who died during that battle is here at: Hill 875

Read about the 173rd Airborne 173rd History

There is a page of rememberance for Bobby Sanders Here also on the Virtual Wall site.

Robert James Sanders Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Page

I found these two photos from the battle for Hill 875 at Military Images. net

173rd Airborne Assault on Hill 875

Visit Military Images Net where you can look at other photos.

courtesy of StayArmy.com

There is another boy from my neighborhood who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country while in Vietnam. He was friends with, and went to high school, with my brother. I saw a message about him from his sister on the classmates website. He was also on 19 years old at the time he was killed. His friends and everyone in the neighborhood knew him as Joe, but his real name was Henry. People who knew him in the Army, left messages at the Wall online for him, calling him Henry. He was also wiht the Airborne Division.

Henry Joseph Wilhelmi Jr.

SGT - E5 - Army - Regular 101st Airborne Division
20 year old Single, Caucasian, Male
Born on Feb 06, 1947
From Philadelphia, PA
Length of service 1 year.
His tour of duty began on Sep 25, 1966
Casualty was on Jun 10, 1967

courtesy of VetsHome.com

Joe Wilhelmi's Page at the Virtural Wall

Go here to see the502ND INF RGT Virtual Wall Page

Also see the The Story of the 101st Airborne Division

Henry Joseph Wilhelmi's Page at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

A Tree Falls and No One Hears

There is a sad story of another man who died from injuries he sustained in the Vietnam War. I only recently found out that his real name was Fred Bluminger. I will always remember as Freddie 'Tree'. I think the nicknname was given to Freddie because he was extremely tall. I am not certain if all of this is true, but my brother used to hang around witth Freddie and a bunch of the same kids when they were teenagers, and this is what my brother heard as well.

Freddie's death was indirectly related to wounds he received during his tour in Vietnam. He injured his leg and apparently he developed a massive infection and the doctors said that his leg would have to be amputated. For this reason, and I suspect because of his memories of the Vietnam war, coupled with the way Vietnam Veterans were treated by society when they returned home from the war, Freddie took his own life. I believe he truly felt that suicide was the only way to relieve his anguish. The saddest part is that no one talked about their time in Vietnam, not even to their own family members.

What makes me more sad when I think of Freddie, is that he took his own life in a car that was in a parking lot that I passed by everday on my way to school. I took a alternate route to school from that day on.

I do have good memories of Freddie that I like to think about. His nickname for my brother was Elmer Fudd. So, naturally he called me and all of my sisters 'Little Fudd'. When I started high school, I had to take public transportation for the first time for my freshman year. Freddie took the same bus to work every morning. Every day, no matter I sat or stood on the bus, Freddie would see me and start hollering, "Little Fudd'!

He would say it in a high-pitched voice. I was 14 years old at the time, and a lot of my classmates rode that bus. It was embarassing to say the least. I tried to pretend I did not know who he was talking to, but that could not have lasted very long. Sometimes the bus was so crowded, and I remember sometimes he would be standing right next to me. Other times, I would pretend not to hear him [how could I not hear him?] and just ignore him. He never gave up. The bus ride was probably only about 10 minutes to school, but it felt like hours before I was able to get off the bus. I am glad I have that memory of him.

There are many casualties of war that touch each and everyone of us. Decades went by before I took the time to remember these three 'boys' from the Olney section of Philadelphia, whose names are etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, DC.

I just found out about another boy from Philadelphia, who was the only Philadelphia Fireman to die in the Vietnam War. I did not know him, but I knew his cousins who lived around the corner from me.

HARRY TURNER KITE JR

PFC - E3 - Army - Selective Service
25th Infantry Division
Length of service 0 years
His tour began on Aug 16, 1968
Casualty was on Nov 24, 1968
In BINH DUONG, SOUTH VIETNAM

You can find the rememberance page for Harry Kite at the Wall Online Here

There is also a page for Harry Kite at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Fund Here

Some of Our Brothers Are Gone

Living in the 'City of Brotherly Love', there is a passage from the Bible that comes to mind when I think of the ones who are no longer with us.

"Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers; for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."

Sites to Visit Regarding the Vietnam War and the Vietnam Veterans

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall Online

The Vietnam Wall
View the Wall
The Virtual Wall
American Experience - Vietnam
Vietnam Remembered
Vietnam Veterans Legacy Foundation

My Visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington DC

November 11, 1997

I visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington DC for the first time on Veterans Day 1997. I had been in DC one other time back in 1969 on an eighth grade class trip, thirteen years before the Wall was completed, four years before our troops came home. My visit to the Wall is an experience I will never forget.

You can feel it before you even get to the wall. There is a presence of some kind. I believe it is the spirit of the Vietnam Veterans beckoning us to remember and to understand what it was like for them. It is a sacred place, much more than a wall with names. I can't imagine what it must be like for Vietnam Veterans to visit the Wall. They must be filled with emotions that only those who were there can feel. Veterans Day is a time to rejoice for those veterans and their loved ones who returned home safely to their families. It is a day to wave the flag and be proud to live in a country with selfless, honorable men and women who fight for our freedom every day, no matter WHAT day it is.

May 17, 2002

I went to the Wall again, this time I took my 11 and 9 year olds with me. The amazing thing was that even though, to them the Vietnam War was so long ago, it might as well have been as long ago as when Lincoln was president. But they got the same feeling I did on my first visit. It was a chilly spring day, JFK's birthday, and there were not many people there. We were the only ones at the Wall at the time. But we all felt that we were not alone. To some it may just be a granite wall with names etched on it, but for many like myself and my family, there is a presence there. I can only hope that they will share this experience if they ever lean about the Vietnam War, and what we did to them when they returned home.

March 17, 2007

There was never more of a presence than this last time I visited the Vietnam Veterans Wall this on St. Patrick's Day. I particpated in the "Gathering of Eagles". We showed up to oppose the anti-war protesters' March on the Pentagon. We went to show our support for the Vietnam Veterans who were denied that almost 40 years ago. We also showed up in support of our troops now serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. The 58.000 faces behind the names on the Wall, stood tall and proud with us. It was an unforgettable event.

To read more about it, please visit the following site:

Why I Particpated in the "Gathering of Eagles"

Other Sites Paying Tribute To America and Its Veterans

America Supports You
American Patriot Council
AnySoldier
DefendAmerica
"Don't Tread On Me"
LTDanBand
Righting America
Veterans For A Change

Vipers Vietnam Veterans Pages

Also Visit the Websites of America's Armed Forces

The United States Air Force
Integrity, Service, Excellence!

The United States Army
Operation Enduring Freedom!

The United States Coast Guard
Readiness...We Do That Every Day!

The United States Marine Corps
The Few, The Proud, The Marines!

The United States Navy
Welcome Aboard!

God Bless Our Vietnam Veterans Guestbook

SIGN VIEW

I dumped the guestbook, because Lurking Liberal Leftards were spamming it with nonsense. If the sick, twisted moonbat freaks still want to spam me, they'll have to copy and paste my email but it will go directly to my email junk folder, because that's where trash belongs. After all, people who spam guestbooks ARE trash!

I apologize to any out there who wanted to sign the guestbook with a normal comment. You will still be able to View the comments in the guestbook, however.

If you want to leave comments, visit my blog which explores the phenomenon of Lurking Liberal Leftards, and leave your comments there. Comments there are moderated.

Anti American Traitors and Anti War Protesters:
Whose Side Are They On?

Thank You!

God Bless Our Vietnam Veterans is

so come back again!

If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, email me,
and let me know what you think.

bfmuldrake@comcast.net

Other Graphics by Ron Fleischer
#1 Clip Art
US Veterans Dispatch
Gathering of Eagles
Words by Muldrake
(unless otherwise indicated)
Who is Muldrake?

Visit Some of Muldrake's "24" Webpages

America's Unsung Heroes

This page is dedicated to the POW/MIA's from the Vietnam War who are from my hometown. These brave heroes never came home and their bodies were never recovered. Where are they? Don't they deserve to be buried on American soil? I have 'adopted' these men and the pages will remain until they all come home.

Brothers

This page includes the names of all the men on the Philadelphia Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. I also included the inscription that appears on the wall in Penns Landing. Philadelphia is a large city, but there are just too many names on that wall. They sacrificed their own lives for freedom. This is my way of honoring them.

God Bless America and Our US Troops

My tribute to the greatest country in the world, and to the heroes who fight for its freedom everyday. I am proud to be an American, and I am extremely proud of my fellow Americans who put their lives on the line fearlessly and selflessly, every day, to make America what it is.

Parenting is For Life!

The joys and the woes of the toughest job in the world, the job of being a parent!

Pets Are People Too!

My concern for the many homeless animals in shelters that desperately need a family to call their own.

Space...Not Science Fiction Anymore

My interest in NASA and the early manned space flights.

Write On!

I have even had a few articles published. Are you a writer? Perhaps we can share some ideas.

Muldrake's Main Beefs

Celebrity Anti-War Protesters

What can I say about this group of sniveling, whining pansies? Plenty! I despise them as much as the sign-carrying clowns from the 60's. I have some suggestions for these people.

Have You Offended Someone Today?

This is a page for the people who are sick of being politically correct. It is also for people, like myself, who are tired of being blamed for all of the woes of the world. Have you offended someone today? I'm sure I have!

The FDNY, the NYPD, and our US Troops

Who's to Blame for 9/11? How about the homicidal psychopaths who flew planes into the Twin Towers? Shame on the 9/11 Commission!

Keep God in Our Country

In the Pledge, on our money, and outside the courthouses. Funny that now on television, they can say any filthy, obscene word they want, but we can't say God in school or in the courthouse. Please!

No More Michael Moore

I hate this man. His documentaries are edited and distorted solely for the purpose of making money and feeding his face. He is a loud-mouth nothing and I wish he would just go away

Smoking Banned From Public Places

Here are some other things I'd like to see banned.

Stupid Beer Commercials

Growing up with an alcoholic father, I can't help thinking how these commercials send the wrong message. It makes people think it's cool to act stupid and so I have a few ideas for some ads I would like to see the beer distributors show to the public.

Who's Really to Blame for September 11th?

More of my opinion on the 9/11 Commission

Muldrake's Miscellaneous

A Few of Muldrake's Favorite Things
This is a brand new page I started, just for fun.

American Idol Goofed Big Time!
This is a page I put up after the 3rd season finale of American Idol!

Where is Harry Kalas When You Really Need Him?
Enjoying Baseball's Postseason? Are you a displaced NY Yankees fan?

Fix Your Credit Yourself
Ever have trouble with the three Major Credit Bureaus; Experian, Equifax, or TransUnion? Ever try getting them to correct items on your credit report?

Landlord-Tenant Complaints
Has your Landlord filed a Complaint against you? Has a Judge awarded a Judgment against you in favor of your Landlord? Then, you're not alone.

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