USO Canteen FReeper Style ~ POW/MIA Recognition Day ~ September 20, 2002

FRiends of the USO Canteen, Snow Bunny and LindaSOG

[Snow Bunny]

Vietnam - America's Most Controversial War American Prisoners of War – American Soldiers Missing in Action These men are our sons, our husbands, our brothers, and our fathers. We sent them from the arms of their loved ones to a hostile nation. There, they endured the horrors of war - fighting for freedom. Fighting for your Freedom. And now we must fight to bring them home. The first Americans were captured in 1954 in South Vietnam. They were held three weeks and interrogated before being released. Others captured later were not so fortunate. During the entire Vietnam War there were 771 POWs, 60 civilians and 2,585 missing in action. Statistics from the Department of Defense reflect that 971 were killed in action and 35 were known to have died in captivity but their remains were not returned. The DoD has made a presumptive finding of death for 878 prisoners.  13 remain classified as missing and 8 remain classified as prisoners. The death rate in South Vietnamese POW camps was 20 percent, compared with 5 percent in North Vietnam. Why? Vietnam's Ho Chi Minh capitalized on the Vietnamese hatred of foreigners, resulting in the deplorable treatment of POWs. Prisoners were shuffled from camp to camp and given very little food.  They suffered disease and received no medical care.  They suffered injuries during “interrogation” and were injured during pressure to confess and to sign anti-war propaganda. Most American POWs were pilots who had been shot down and were held in camps. Camps these prisoners nicknamed The Hanoi Hilton, The Plantation, Briar Patch, The Zoo, Alcatraz and others. Held the longest was Floyd Thompson, who endured nine years; and the second longest held was Edward Alvarez, held captive for eight years. African Americans were singled out for abuse, the Vietnamese felt that due to prejudicial treatment at home, they might be more likely to agree with their captors and sign statements against America. Maj. Fred Cherry was the highest ranking black POW. He was shot down in 1965 and spent 57 continuous weeks in solitary confinement as well as being tortured for 97 straight days. Treatment of American POWs in Vietnam was exposed in a number of ways.  One way was through the drawings of journalist Mike McGrath depicting methods of torture used. The Vietnamese put Capt. Jeremiah Denton before their cameras in 1966. The world looked on in horror as Capt. Denton denied poor treatment with his words and used his eyes to send a very different message, blinking the word TORTURE in Morse code. Cmdr. Dick Stratton was filmed bowing to a panel of men, but he went on to bow to the blank walls beside and behind him. The American public took his actions to be those of a man gone insane during captivity. Another form of torture was that the men were forced to listen to loudspeakers broadcasting propaganda five hours a day, propaganda that sometimes came from Americans, Americans like Jane Fonda. Former POW Pat Mendoza has said that our freedom as Americans gives us the right to disagree with our government, but those who disagree should not be in the country of our enemies and be associated with enemy troops. After POWs were forced to listen to Fonda's statements, they were forced to sign a statement saying they agreed with her statements.  If they refused, they were beaten.  Some were beaten to death. In 1969 when Ho Chi Minh died, treatment of American POWs improved slightly. A 1970 raid staged to gain freedom for POWs in Son Tay Prison was unsuccessful because the Vietnamese had removed all the prisoners. However it is believed that the raid may have scared the North Vietnamese, Americans had come to get their POWs. As a result, most POWs were taken to Hanoi and there, they had contact with each other and gained strength from each other to continue to endure. A 1972 bombing by America provided a moral boost to those POWs who could hear the bombs being dropped.  Historians believe it was the catalyst which brought the eventual release of POWs in 1973 - Operation Homecoming. Most of us don't know what it's like to lose our freedom for even a day, much less for nine years. Most of us don’t know what it is to suffer through torture.  Our veterans have paid that price for us - some came home, some did not. Their sacrifices are the very reason why we can truly celebrate our freedom. They fought for us and now we must fight for them. We must bring them home. Official intelligence indicates that Americans known to have been alive in captivity in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia were not returned at the end of the war. In the absence of evidence to the contrary, it must be assumed that these Americans may still be alive. As a matter of policy, the U.S. Government does not rule out the possibility that Americans could still be held. Joint field operations in Laos are very productive. The Lao recently agreed to increase the number of US personnel permitted in-country and allow greater flexibility during field operations. Agreements between the U.S. and the Indochina governments now permit Vietnamese witnesses to participate in joint operations in Laos and Cambodia when necessary. POW/MIA research and field activities in Cambodia have received excellent support. Over 80% of US losses in Laos and 90% of those in Cambodia occurred in areas where Vietnamese forces operated during the war, but Vietnam has not yet responded to countless US requests for case-specific records on loss incidents in these countries. Records research and field operations are the most likely means of increasing the accounting for Americans missing in Laos and Cambodia.
Just as we "STILL" wait for accountability for our POW/MIA's from Nam and Korea, we now add to the list, those from the Persian Gulf as well.. Visit the Memorial listing their Names.
What can you do? Write or call the President: The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. Washington DC, 20500 Comment Line : 202-456-1111 ~ FAX 202-456-2461 E-Mail the President E-Mail the Vice President E-Mail the First Lady Write or call your Senators The Capitol Washington DC, 20510 Senate Switchboard -- 202-224-3121 E-Mail Senators Write or call your Representatives The Capitol Washington DC 20515 House of Representatives Switchboard - 202-224-3121 E-Mail Representatives
Click a link
	To restore your faith in America's youth visit this 13 year old girl's website. She is the one who started this petition. Just click on the graphic. Please sign her guestbook.
Beamer says... Please don't miss Snow Bunny's April Tribute to POW/MIA's ~ Click on Beamer and he will take you there.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Aeronaut I always smile when I get to see you. Thank you for being here and for the flyover.

Aeronaut, thank you for all you do , for serving our country and for still serving even now with your love for America and being a Freeper.

[Snow Bunny]

Thank you Tonkin for the links for such important things. I apprecaite all you do so much. Your support of the Canteen, serving our country,the P.O. Box and so many things. God bless you Tonkin.

[Snow Bunny]

Hi Cote, ok I will right now. I am going right to bed. Thank you. heh heh

[tomkow6]

Good morning, Snow! Good morning, EVERYBODY!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

[tomkow6]

Today's FEEBLE attempt at humor:

One time when I was home visiting my folks, my mom asked
me to set the table for dinner. I opened the refrigerator and
taped to the inside of the door was a risque picture of a lovely,
slender, perfectly built, but scantily-clad young woman.

"Mom, what's this?" I asked.

"Oh, I put that up there to remind me not to over-eat," she
answered.

"Is it working?" I asked.

"Yes and no," she explained. "I've lost 15 pounds, but your
dad has gained 20!"

[tomkow6]

Good morning, Pippin!

[tomkow6]

Good morning, Sassy!

[tomkow6]

Good morning, Radu!

[aomagrat]

Today's classic warship, USS Jarvis (DD-393)

Bagley class destroyer
Displacement. 1,850
Lenght. 341'4"
Beam. 35'6"
Draft. 10'4"
Speed. 35 k.
Complement. 158
Armament. 4 5"
4 .50 cal. mg.
16 21" tt.
2 dct.

The USS Jarvis (DD-393) was laid down by Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton, Wash., 21 August 1935 Iaunched 6 May 1937; sponsored by Mrs. Thomas T. Craven, wife of Vice Admiral Craven, and commissioned 27 October 1937, Lt. Comdr. R. R. Ferguson in command.

Clearing Puget Sound 4 January 1938, Jarvis operated along the California coast and in the Caribbean until 1 April 1940 when she departed San Diego for fleet exercises off the Hawaiian Islands. She arrived Pearl Harbor 26 April, cruised the Pacific to Midway and Johnston Islands and steamed to San Francisco 8 February 1941 for overhaul. Returning to Pearl Harbor 17 April to commence more than seven months of intensive maneuvers, she put into Pearl Harbor 4 December following exercises off Maui Island.

Three days later the Japanese executed the carefully planned, devastating attack on Pearl Harbor. As the first wave of enemy bombers raked Battleship Row with torpedoes and bombs, Ens. W. F. Greene laconically appraised the situation with the following entry in Jarvis Deck Log: "0758 Hostilities with Japan commenced with air raid on Pearl Harbor. Went to General Quarters." Moored next to Mugford (DD-389) at the Navy Yard, Jarvis opened fire with 5-inch guns and machine guns and made preparations to get underway within minutes of the initial attack Her 5-inch guns were among the first to challenge the enemy raiders, and her gunners proudly claimed four planes.

Emerging from the attack with no loss of crew and only superficial damage, Jarvis sortied that morning with several cruisers and destroyers to conduct surveillance and ASW patrols. On the 16th she cleared Pearl Harbor with Saratoga (CV-3) and joined Task Force 14, steaming to relieve the beleaguered defenders on Wake Atoll. Recalled to Pearl Harbor 23 December, after the rescue mission aborted, Jarvis returned the 29th to resume ASW patrols. While operating with Lexington (CV-2) and her screening cruisers, Jarvis rescued 182 survivors of the stricken fleet oiler Neches (AO-5) 6 hours after she was torpedoed during mid-watch 23 January 1942

Jarvis departed Pearl Harbor 5 February to escort a convoy to Brisbane, Australia. Following her return 27 March, she sailed 8 April for San Francisco to undergo alterations. She returned to Pearl 18 May escorting 13 ships and proceeded 5 days later via Fiji to Sidney Australia. Arriving 18 June, she commenced convoy escort and ASW patrols from Australia to New Caledonia, continuing this duty until called to participate in the invasion of Guadalcanal.

Steaming from Sidney 14 July, Jarvis arrived Wellington, New Zealand, the 19th to join Task Force 62, which sailed 22 July for the Solomons. After conducting rehearsal landings in the Fiji Islands 28 30 July, the invasion force of 84 ships and 20,000 marines steamed for Guadalcanal 31 July. Protected from Japanese search planes by rain and heavy mists, the force arrived off the landing beaches at dawn 7 August.

Following naval and air bombardment of enemy defenses, the first amphibious operation of the war commenced at 0650. Jarvis patrolled watchfully as part of the protective screen while Marines established a beachhead. As landing operations progressed, Americans expected the Japanese to strike vigorously at the transports with land-based planes. However, during two attacks which occurred that afternoon the Americans sustained only minor damage on Mugford (DD-389) while splashing 14 enemy planes.

Following night patrol off the southern end of Savo Island, Jarvis returned to Lunga Point to screen the unloading transports. Warning of an impending air attack suspended these operations; and the transports and their protective screen of destroyers and cruisers deployed in the body of water between Guadalcanal and Florida Island, soon to be called "Ironbottom Sound." When enemy torpedo bombers appeared about noon 8 August. they met a lethal stream of antiaircraft fire. Only 9 of the 26 planes breached the deadly defense of flaming lead but they set George F. Elliot (AP-13) ablaze and torpedoed Jarvis.

With 5-inch shells and machine gun fire pouring out at the attackers, Jarvis maneuvered between Vincennes (CA-34) and one of the planes during the thick of the fight. As antiaircraft fire consumed the plane, its torpedo exploded against Jarvis' starboard side near the forward fireroom, stopping her dead in the water. Her valiant crew jettisoned the port torpedoes and quickly brought under control the fires that followed the explosion. Dewey (DD-349) towed her to shallow anchorage off Lunga Point; and, after the attack, she crossed "Ironbottom Sound" to Tulagi, where she transferred her wounded and commenced emergency repairs.

Despite a 50-foot gash in her side, she was considered seaworthy and ordered to proceed under cover of darkness to Efate, New Hebrides. Apparently unaware of the order, her capable skipper, Lt. Comdr. W. W. Graham decided to steam to Sidney, Australia, for immediate repairs from Dobbin (AD-3). Unnoticed by her own ships, Jarvis departed Tulagi at midnight 9 August and moved slowly westward through "Ironbottom Sound" and between Savo Island and Cape Esperance. At 0134 she passed 3,000 yards northward of Rear Admiral Mikawa's cruisers, steaming to meet the Americans at the costly Battle of Savo Island. Mistaking her for a cruiser of the New Zealand Achilles-class, they fired torpedoes, and destroyer Yunagi later engaged her briefly, all without effect.

The gallant destroyer, continuing to retire westward, had little speed, no radio communications, and few operative guns; but she refused aid from Blue (DD-378) upon being sighted at 0325. After daybreak, a Saratoga scout plane sighted her 40 miles off Guadalcanal, trailing fuel oil and down by the bow. That was the last time Americans saw her.

The Japanese, however, still mistaking Jarvis for an escaping cruiser, dispatched 31 planes from Rabaul to search out and destroy her. Once discovered, the determined, but badly damaged, destroyer was no match for bombers raking the ship with bullets and torpedoes. According to Japanese records, Jarvis "split and sank" at 1300 on 9 August.

Although she went down with all hands, her sacrifice served a noble purpose. Had not the enemy planes located her, no doubt they would have maintained course for Guadalcanal and pounded the battle-weary American ships as they prepared to depart for Noumea, New Caledonia.

Jarvis received three battle stars for World War II service.

[tomkow6]

At sea aboard USS Nimitz, Sept. 18, 2002 — Safety checkers aboard USS Nimitz (CVN 68) give the thumbs up to signal the o.k. to launch an F/A-18E Super Hornet assigned to the “Tophatters” of Strike Fighter Squadron One Four (VFA-14). The Super Hornet will reach a speed of 175 mph (152 knots) within 2½ seconds over a distance of about 250 feet. Nimitz is undergoing Tailored Ship's Training Availability (TSTA) Two and Three off the coast of California. This is the first time that a full air wing has embarked aboard Nimitz since 1997. U.S. Navy photo by Airman Apprentice Mark Rebilas. [020918-N-2385R-002] Sept. 18, 2002

[tomkow6]

At sea aboard USS George Washington, Sept. 18, 2002 — The aircraft director guides an F/A-18 Hornet onto the catapult on the flight deck of USS George Washington (CVN 73) as other members of the flight deck crew standby for the launch. Homeported in Norfolk, Va., George Washington, her embarked Carrier Air Wing Seventeen (CVW 17), and her battle group are on a six-month's deployment conducting combat missions in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman Jason Zalasky. [020918-N-1082Z-002] Sept. 18, 2002

[JustAmy]

Good Morning!!!!
How are you this beautiful fall morning, Pippin?
I'm up early getting ready for our FRiday Night FReep to Support Our Troops. The one's who have been standing on the corner of Shaw and Blackstone every Friday night for the past year are true patriots. I thank them for joining Jim and me in protesting the war protestors!

[SpookBrat]

Good morning Troops! Good morning FRiends! Good morning world! Have a wonderful day everybody!

<------click on the eagle

(Aeronaut, are you feeling better)?

[Victoria Delsoul]

Good morning, everyone! Thank God it's Friday.

Fantastic job, Linda. I love the layout and the information and graphics you provided.

Flag Man , thank you for your service to our country. Thank you for being a man of Honor. I live in the land of the free and the home of the brave because of you and other Veterans that served and our POW's and MIA's.

I am blessed and honored to know you and call you friend.

Well said, Bunny. 4Theflag is not just a Freeper but someone who has been in the battlefield, someone whose love and devotion for the country makes him a "has been" as opposed to a "never was" and therein lies the difference.

Hope everyone has a great day. See you all later.

click on the graphic

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks Spooky. Cya later.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thanks so much for the flowers, Tonk!

[deadhead]

GOD BLESS ALL

~~~Colleen~~~