From: jewell@MACE.CC.PURDUE.EDU (Larry Jewell)
Newsgroups: soc.veterans
Subject: 'NamVet Newsletter, Vol.5, no.6, (1/7)
Date: 6 Sep 92 02:34:12 GMT


     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991

     .                                  __                           .
     .    -*-  N A M   V E T  -*-  ____/  \_                         .
     .                            (      *  \                        .
     .        Managing  Editor    \    Quangtri                      .
     .        ----------------     \_/\       \_ Hue                 .
     .         G. Joseph Peck          \_Ashau    Phu Bai            .
     .                                   \_*       \_                .
     .      Editorial Assistants           \      *  )               .
     .      --------------------          _/     Danang              .
     .          Pete Farias       \|/    (            \_*Chu Lai     .
     .         Sarge Hultgren    --*--    \_    ------- \__          .
     .                            /|\       \_  I Corps    \         .
     .      Distribution Manager              \ -------     !        .
     .          ------------                 /\_____        !        .
     .          Jerry Hindle                /       !        \       .
     .                                      !       !___      \      .
     .        Section Editors               !           \/\____!     .
     .        ---------------               !                 !      .
     .  IN-TOUCH: Ray "Frenchy" Moreau     /  Dak To          !      .
     .  INCARCERATED VETS: Joyce Flory    /     *            /       .
     .  COAST GUARD: Jack Hawkins         !                  \_      .
     .  NEED-TO-KNOW:   Lefty Frizzell    !             Phu Cat\     .
     .                                     \    *            *  )    .
     .                                      \ Pleiku            )    .
     .   -**-  N A M    V E T   -**-         \                  \    .
     .                                       /                  /    .
     . "In the jungles of 'Nam, some of us  (       --------    !    .
     . were scared and wary, but we pulled  _\      II Corps    !    .
     . one another along and were able     /        --------     \   .
     . to depend on each other.  That has  \                      \  .
     . never changed.  Today, free of the   !                 *  /   .
     . criticisms and misunderstandings   _/           Nhatrang /    .
     . many veterans have endured,      _/                     /     .
     . NAM VET is a shining beacon,  __/                       !     .
     . a ray of hope, and a    _  __/  \                       !     .
     . reminder that the _____( )/      !               Camranh Bay  .
     . lessons learned  /               !__                    !     .
     . at such a high  /                   \                  /      .
     . price shall not \          Bien Hoa  \                /       .
     . be forgotten  -  !  Chu Chi       *   \            __/        .
     . nor the errors    \_   *   ---------   \       ___/           .
     . repeated!!!"  ____  \      III Corps    \    _/               .
     .       / \_____)   )_(_     ---------     !__/  Duplication in .
     .       !               (               ___/ any form permitted .
     .  _____!                \__      * ___/      for NONCOMMERCIAL .
     . !                          Saigon/            purposes ONLY!  .
     .  \___   --------           /  \/                              .
     .      \  IV Corps          /       For other use, contact:     .
     .       ) --------         /                                    .
     .      /                   !   G. Joseph Peck (413) 442-1660    .
     .     /               ____/           Managing Editor           .
     .    /         Mekong/                                          .
     .    !         Delta/  This newsletter is comprised of articles .
     .    !        ____/     and items from individuals and other    .
     .    !       /       sources.  We are not responsible for the   .
     .    !      /      content of this information nor are any of   .
     .    !   __/        NAM VETs contributors or Section Editors.   .
     .     \_/                                                   gjp .
     .                                                               .
     
     NAM VET Newsletter                                       Page    i
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991

     

     ==================================================================

                      T A B L E   O F   C O N T E N T S

     
     1.  Editorials
          Together then - Together NOW! ............................  1
          Can't Do It Alone! .......................................  5

     2.  Have You Seen?
          Soldier Search ...........................................  6
          Vet's Daughter Again Missing .............................  7

     3.  Forgotten - again?
          Come for Me!!! ...........................................  8
          Colonel Peck Resigns from POW/MIA Special Office! ........  9
          Did the US Betray its POWs in Vietnam?  KTBG review... ... 14
          What If??? ............................................... 18

     4.  Remember Them!!!
          Better VA Benefit Availability for Incarcerated Vets? .... 19
          A visit or note once in awhile? .......................... 25
          Vietnam Veterans, Incarcerated ........................... 26
          Incarcerated Veterans "Lifer's Club" ..................... 32

     5.  Ol' Glory n' Shiftin' Sands
          President Bush's "Liberation" Address .................... 38
          She Flies Ever High!!! ................................... 41
          For our GIs STILL in Saudi Arabia ........................ 42
          Soldier's Wife Pledges... ................................ 44
          MARS Messages to Saudi Arabia ............................ 45
          For Sale - CHEAP!!! ...................................... 46
          America - Clean up after yourself! ....................... 47
          Gen. Powell Pushed for 5-Star Position ................... 48
          General Schwarzkopf's Address to Congress ................ 50
          In Memory... ............................................. 53
          Hands Across Time ........................................ 58

     6.  Just across the river...
          Is there hope for Laos? .................................. 59
          Break out the Clearasil <tm>! ............................ 63
          Cry The Beloved Country .................................. 64

     7.  In-Touch
          It's Not Finished Yet .................................... 67
          In-Touch: What is it??? .................................. 69
          IN-TOUCH Registration/Request Form!!! .................... 72

     8.  The NamVet Chapel
          Tears For All Mothers .................................... 74
          The Electronic Chapel .................................... 76
          Memory Of 'Nam Will Never Go Away ........................ 77

     9.  Concentrated IVVEC/NamVet Service
          A NEW American "Bush"? ................................... 79
          Blind Veteran Requests Appointment With DVA's Derwinski .. 82
          Fresh Start" Pinches Pennies from Bingo .................. 84
          Soldiers & Sailors Relief Act ............................ 86
          American Legion Announces "VETNET"...  1-900- style! ..... 88
          ADF Foundation Promotes Concert .......................... 91
          Veteran Homeowners: Refinance? ........................... 93
          Washington State Veterans May Be Due Refund .............. 94
          A real heartwarming letter... ............................ 95
          Some Gave All... ......................................... 97














































     NAM VET Newsletter                                       Page   ii
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991



     ==================================================================
                                 Editorials
     ==================================================================

                       Together then - together NOW!
                             By G. Joseph Peck
                          NamVets Managing Editor
                        VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA
                              (413) 443-6313
     
     Wow!   Putting  this thing together is like learning how to do  it 
     all  over  again!   Didn't realize how QUICKLY one can  get  rusty 
     doin'  something  as  "simple"  (smile)  as  putting  together  an 
     electronic  newsletter.   I'm beginning to see that the production 
     of  NamVet  is kinda like a fine-tuned art.  <smile>  Guess its  a 
     matter  of  "format the articles WHEN they come in and don't  wait 
     until  hours  before deadline time  to  BEGIN!"  <procrastinator's 
     <patented> grin>.  I'll get it yet!  
     
     Memorial  Day  was one of the very best I've had in a  long,  long 
     time!   As  you  know,  things  here have been  pretty  tough  and 
     strained  (to say the least!).   Car insurance had been  cancelled 
     and  plates  were  due to expire 31 May 91.   I  was  planning  on 
     joining  many  of our echo (VIETNAM_VETS)  participants in a  get-
     together  at  The  Wall  as sort of a  "farewell"  to  my  driving 
     privileges and a "hello" to walkin', takin'  the bus,  and getting 
     around  the best way I could to get things done while I waited for 
     the rest of the walls here to crumble <smile>.  Besides,  it would 
     give  my  mind a much-needed break from the  nearly  24-hour-a-day 
     duty I've been doin' here at VETLink #1,  let my blood pressure go 
     back  down,  and  maybe  help me see things  in  that  "all-of-us" 
     perspective I've tried so hard to maintain.
     
     Firming  things  up,  I talked to our Herndon,  Virginia Board  of 
     Director member, Ray "Frenchy" Moreau.  "Joe," he said,  "Have you 
     considered coming down by plane?  Jane and I would be glad to have 
     you  here,  so why don't you check your budget and see how much  a 
     round-trip  ticket would cost?   We'll help with another  donation 
     (He and Jane have helped tremendously!) when you get here."  
     
     Three  separate donations totalling $110 came in from  California, 
     New Mexico and Washington.  The plane ticket would cost $158.   To 
     park  my car in the economy spot at the airport would cost another 
     $23.  "Yes!" I would do it! - and did!
     
     Frenchy  met me at Washington's National Airport.   We didn't have 
     much time to stand around 'cause we had to quickly shuttle over to 
     Dulles  and  pick up Joyce (Hi Joyce!).   Frenchy had made a  sign 
     welcoming  her  and I was standing there holding it high while  we 
     both scanned the deplaning passengers.  Suddenly, a heavy-sounding 
     "thud"  caught  my  attention  as this great lady sat  her  laptop 
     computer down by my feet.   Joyce!   The next few hours were spent 
     talking and finding Joyce's Washington, DC motel, making plans for 
     the next day (Sunday).  And Sunday was GREAT!
     
     Arriving early, Frenchy,  his fine son -  Raymond Jr.,  and I were 
     quite surprised when we found a parking spot so close to The Wall. 
     There before the rest of the crowds, we had time to casually visit 
     with  many of the veteran groups,  visit their tents and displays, 
     
     NAM VET Newsletter                                         Page  1
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991

     talk to other veterans.   At The Wall,  still,  is a hushed air of 
     somber silence, tears, and pained looks upon the faces of veterans 
     with  reawakened  memories  that had long been  tucked  away  from 
     conscious thought.   Look hard 'nuff,  though,  and ya can see the 
     sense  of RE-dedication and RE-commitment to the many things  each 
     of us battled for.
     
     As  if  out of nowhere,  appeared Joyce Flory (glad ya made  it!), 
     Faye Kahn (glad ya made it!)  Jim Henthorn (glad ya made it!)  and 
     Chick Curry (glad ya made it!).   Jim Hildwine,  another member of 
     our  Board  of Directors,  was going to TRY to make it  but,  that 
     failing,  he was definitely going to meet us at Frenchy's house in 
     Herndon.  "Together" we advanced towards The Wall...  to each view 
     our  separate  link  to  that quiet memorial  to  all  our  fallen 
     brothers  and sisters;  to touch;  to feel again.   For "me",  the 
     feeling  of  support and camaraderie kept growing and growing  and 
     growing  and  I  shared that with other veterans  whose  paths  we 
     crossed.  It was catchy, too <grin> - Frenchy, Chick,  Jim,  Joyce 
     and  Faye,  too,  were  busy talking and sharing with people  they 
     hadn't  known a scant few hours ago <smile>.   All of us made some 
     NEW  acquaintances  (Did you know there's an organization for  the 
     widows of Vietnam Vets?  I talked quite a bit with a few of 'em).
     
     Too soon, it seemed, the tight time-frame of the weekend caught up 
     with us and Frenchy, Raymond Jr.,  and I had to go.   Jim Hildwine 
     was  waiting  for us at Frenchy's!   And he had some  GREAT  news!  
     Taylor and Tucker Construction, Inc., hailing from Churchtown,  MD 
     "donated" to Berkshire Veterans' Center, Inc.  their old AT &  CPM 
     systems.  There was also a Novell <tm> networking system, software 
     and, on top of it all, a check for $50!   Jim,  who lives in Shady 
     Side, MD -  and his son,  had brought it all with them!  THANK YOU 
     Taylor  and Tucker Construction and our Board of Director  Member, 
     Jim Hildwine, for helping this happen!
     
     Excited  beyond any that I've felt for a long,  long time,  it was 
     nearly 3 that morning when I quietly climbed the stairs.   Another 
     computer;  networking  (I've never done THAT before <smile>);  all 
     kinds  of  software  and a positive indication of  the  directions 
     Berkshire  Veterans'  Center should continue to take!   All in ONE 
     day! <grin>
     
     Monday was consumed before it even began <grin>.   At first light, 
     Frenchy  and  Jane were up,  Jane doin'  her walkin'  and  Frenchy 
     tunin' up the ol'  lawnmower to make its confusing passes on their 
     lawn (Does it REALLY "confuse" the grass, Frenchy,  when ya cut it 
     in a different pattern each time? <grin>).   Stumbling downstairs, 
     I  found  my  way right to the computer room.   When  Frenchy  had 
     finished his lawn <smile>,  together we tackled setting up various 
     menu's and things on VETLink #2 which will soon be VERY functional 
     and  a veritable sea chest of veteran information!   We also spent 
     quite  a  lot of time checking out the  donated  equipment.   Some 
     things didn't quite work right and Frenchy, who also owns/operates 
     MicroComputer  Consulting Services in his SPARE time <WHEN does he 
     HAVE any!> <smile of admiration!>, told me: "When the equipment is 
     running RIGHT, I'll send it up to you.  In the meantime, you bring 
     home  the  documentation on the Networking system and learn  about 
     how  to  use it.   Your help will be needed,  too,  as I  continue 
     setting  up  VETLink  #2."   Making sure that even  the  slightest 
     hiccup is cleared out of the equipment,  Frenchy is busily helping 
     
     NAM VET Newsletter                                         Page  2
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991

     to  make  SURE that YOUR VETLink connections will be  informative, 
     helpful,  and a real pleasure!   (The excitement STILL hasn't worn 
     off  -  especially  as  I contemplate the many good  things  we're 
     tryin' and are about to accomplish for each of us.)  The hour-and-
     a-half plane ride home was spent reading networking documentation!
     
     Arriving home 'bout midnight, I quickly learned a "truth"  to what 
     Jim  Hildwine had told me during our visit:   God doesn't give  ya 
     what  ya WANT,  He gives ya what ya NEED!   VETLink #1 was barely, 
     barely chugging along.  In messages that our users had left,  many 
     of  'em  thought the problem of "There's a long,  long  time  that 
     elapses  between when I type a letter and when it's echoed back to 
     me" was, very discretely, bad phone lines.   I knew different when 
     I  saw the hard-disk making about a zillion rev's before it  would 
     even drop to DOS.  Haven't had a chance to do much else other than 
     keep VETLink #1 running, at least on a skeleton basis... 
     
     Bob Morris, our often echo participant, told me he had an ol'  80-
     meg  full-height  hard-disk "just gatherin'  dust on his  basement 
     shelf" and we were welcome to it.   I telephoned him Friday night, 
     May  31  and  saturday,  June 1,  I drove down and picked  it  up.  
     Should  have  filled my gas tank BEFORE I left 'cause when  I  got 
     down  there (Bob lives in Connecticut and I live in Massachusetts.  
     About 120 one-way miles separate us), I was runnin'  on Holy Water 
     (Like  Frenchy often does <grin>).   I asked Bob where I could get 
     gas and my out-of-state check would be honored.  "They don't honor 
     out-of-state checks here," he said.  "Take this..." and he gave me 
     money for gas.  He said I had NO choice 'cause he was bigger 'n me 
     (and he's right!).  THANKS Bob!
     
     I've  spent the last week workin'  on tryin'  to get the drive  to 
     format  (CDC 94155-86/SEAGATE ST4086)  so that it would yield  its 
     maximum  storage capacity.   I'm SURE there's a way to do it (I've 
     tried  DOS's  DEBUG g=c800:5 &  FDISKed it but cannot  access  any 
     logical drive on it beyond drive E:; tried SPEEDSTOR; and an older 
     version of Seagate's DiskManager which doesn't have provisions for 
     the  ST4086.   When VETLink #1 is in its quiet times,  I take  the 
     board down and try again-- each time,  though,  ending with "Well, 
     maybe I can do it later."  
     
     This  issue,  scheduled for June 9 will happen on the 10th  -  but 
     soon, as you've seen above,  we should be getting all our ducks in 
     a row and our scheduling tightened up a bit. My personal financial 
     and  employment  situation  has  NOT  changed  -  creditors  STILL 
     justifiably want their money );  the bank and HUD STILL want to be 
     paid  for the house we're living in;  the VA STILL has not decided 
     on  my  case/claim;  and it's a minute-by-minute struggle to  keep 
     utilities  on,  food on the table,  and teach my children -  by my 
     example  -  of what IS real and valuable in  life...  (Gosh,  that 
     sounds familiar <smile>...  
     
     There seems, though, to be NEW hope on the horizon and, as long as 
     I can, I'll still be here,  still tryin'  to keep the UNITY in our 
     veteran commUNITY!  If YOU were thinking about donating to help us 
     continue,  PLEASE  do  <grin>  -   and  send  your  tax-deductible 
     donations  (we're  America's FIRST electronic vet  center  granted 
     501(c)(3) status to do what we do) to: Berkshire Veterans' Center, 
     Inc., Post Office Box 2056, Pittsfield, MA  01202.
     
     
     NAM VET Newsletter                                         Page  3
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991

                      Together then --  Together NOW!
     
                              'til next month
                       Show a brother/sister veteran
                              That YOU care!!
     
                              Ci'ao for Ni'ao
     
                                 -  Joe  -
     

















































     NAM VET Newsletter                                         Page  4
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991

                            Can't Do It Alone!
                           Input by: Joyce FLory
               NamVet's Incarcerated Veterans Section Editor
                    Desert Dolphin BBS - Las Cruces, NM
                              (505) 523-2811
     Hi to All;
     
     I  just  received these new names and thought I'd pass them on  to 
     you readers. I realize some of the names aren't as complete as I'd 
     like,  but  I've  been reassured that the letters WILL get to  the 
     right person.
     
         Mr. Peterson 167626              Mr. Vaughn 145696
         Mr. Ron Duvall 119293            Mr. Corklin 159051
         Mr. Thomas Van Antwerp 184766    Mr. Michael Deen 201339
                              Cotton Facility
                                PO Box 3003
                           Jackson, Mich. 49024
     
     I've been reading so much about continuing the letter campaign for 
     the  Saudi troops in the Nam_Vet Echo,  that I have to pause for a 
     moment or two and wonder why such a campaign isn't being waged for 
     the  "Forgotten  Warriors"  (as the incarcerated Vietnam  Veterans 
     call themselves)??
     
     It may even be easier to write to these gentlemen, as you all have 
     something in common with them... Vietnam. As I have said before, I 
     write  to 18 different inmates in 14 states and never once have  I 
     had  contact with the proverbial "junky vet".  Yes,  some of  them 
     have PTSD, all are (rightly or wrongly) convicted of a crime,  but 
     all  have treated me with the utmost respect and,  at times are in 
     awe of this project.
     
     Though they would like to,  most of the gentlemen I write to would 
     correspond  with  some of the other inmates I have  contact  with. 
     I've sent at least three inmates my lengthy list of names. Alas, I 
     have  been let know that prisons are not allowed to write to other 
     prisons.  How  are  we  going  to keep these guys  up  on  current 
     programs for and about the Vietnam Veteran if we don't write them?
     
     I try my best, but I can't do it alone.   How about some help from 
     you folks?   Just as it's a sad day for a Saudi soldier to not get 
     any  letters  at  mail call,  think what it must be like  for  our 
     "Forgotten Warriors".
     
     As always, I can be reached through the Nam_Vets Echo,  the Desert 
     Dolphin BBS (1:305/105 <505) 523-2811>),  or by snail-mail at 1825 
     Evelyn  Las Cruces, NM 88001.
     
                                Later,Joyce
     








     NAM VET Newsletter                                         Page  5
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991



     ==================================================================
                               Have You Seen?
     ==================================================================

                          Looking for Information
                           Input by: Don Purvis
                         LSO Systems - Everett WA
     
     ... Looking for information on the whereabouts of the following:
     
         (Ranks given as of SEA service or last contact)
     
          Captain Ronald Fishman              Captain Herrlein
          Captain Wilbur Greene               SGM Ted Dabney
          SFC James Purkey                    LTC Mitchum
          Captain Edward F. Holland
     
     Would appreciate any information.....
     
     -- Don  --
     
     (NOTE FROM JOE:  Since Don enters his messages from a PRIVATE 
     system, about the only way you can contact him if you discover 
     anything about those for whom he searches is to place a notice in 
     the VIETNAM_VETS Echo Conference.) 
     

































     NAM VET Newsletter                                         Page  6
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991

                       Vet's Daughter Again Missing
                            By: G. Joseph Peck
                         NamVet's Managing Editor
                        VETLink #1 - Pittsfield, MA
                              (413) 443-6313
     
     Leaving a note for her parents that she "needed a couple of hours 
     to sort things out", Jill Elizabeth Flory disappeared Friday, May 
     31, 1991.  Her parents correctly suspected that she may have then 
     attended a local end-of-school party in the Las Cruces, NM area.
     
     Jill was found - with the help of many - June 2, 1991.  Together 
     with the cooperation of New Mexico's Department of Social Services 
     and those closely involved, a not-totally agreed-upon temporary 
     arrangement was worked out where Jill would stay at a friends home 
     until successful familial resolutions could be worked out. To her 
     parents dismay, Jill never showed up at the "friends" house.  As 
     of this writing (5pm - 6/10/91), Jill is missing again, has not 
     called nor contacted her family, the New Mexico Department of 
     Social Services, nor the Las Cruces, NM Police Department since 
     she left.  A Missing Persons report has been filed and verified.
     
     If you have information concerning Jill Elizabeth Flory, please 
     contact the Las Cruces, NM "CITY" (there's a CITY and a COUNTY of 
     Las Cruces) Police Department at 505-526-0795 or NETMAIL her 
     parents, Ken and Joyce Flory at Desert Dolphin BBS, FidoNet 
     1:305/105, 1-505-523-2811.  You can also NETMAIL any information 
     to VETLink #1 BBS, FidoNet 1:321/203, 1-413-443-6313 and any 
     helpful information will be relayed to our brother veteran and his 
     wife post-haste!
     
     Description:  Jill Elizabeth Flory, age 15
     Sex:  Female
     DOB:  7/25/75
     Ht:   5'4"
     Wt:   115#
     Hair: brown
     Eyes: hazel
     
                  With prayers for Jill's safe return...
     
                              Ci'ao for Ni'ao
     
                                 -  Joe  -
     














     NAM VET Newsletter                                         Page  7
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991



     ==================================================================
                             Forgotten - again?
     ==================================================================

                                 COME FOR ME!!!
                         Input by: Marsha Ledeman
                      Puget Sound TBBS - Edmonds, WA
                              (206) 745-6340
     
           Twenty years in the jungle has taken its toll on me,
                    I'm not the same man I used to be.
             But one thing's consistent... I long to be free.
                    Please, Mr. President, come for me.
     
                The scars of my torture will never go away,
              I'm fifty pounds lighter, my hair is now gray.
             But their shackles can't chain the freedom in me,
                      Please, lawmakers, come for me.
     
           If my family believed there's a chance I'd survived,
             They'd fight to their deaths to prove I'm alive.
                 I last saw my son when he was just three,
                    Please, loving family, come for me.
     
              Some captors say you don't know that I'm here,
              That I'm doomed to this prison year after year.
                 God Bless America, the land of the free.
              Please, friends and parishioners, come for me.
     
                 Other captors say you know that I'm here,
               But refuse to accept the evidence, so clear.
                  Will some caring citizens hear my plea?
                  Please, fellow countrymen, come for me.
     
             I'll have faith in my country 'till my dying day,
              I'll never believe you could leave me this way.
                        My country, 'tis of thee...
                  Please, Please, America, come for me!!!
     
                           c 1987, LeAnn Thieman
     
       With every single letter I write to anyone in congress and the 
     senate, I enclose a copy of these poems just for their consciences 
     to mull over. It is effective as I usually get answers to all my 
     letters, not that I always like the content, but they are 
     answered... 
     
                            Marsha Jean Ledeman
     










     NAM VET Newsletter                                         Page  8
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991

             Colonel Peck Resigns from POW/MIA Special Office!
                         Input by: Marsha Ledeman
                      Puget Sound TBBS - Edmonds, WA
                              (206) 745-6340
     
       =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=
     
     Date: 28 March 1991 Office: POW/MIA
     Subject:  A Farewell
     To: All Personnel
     
     1. The purpose of this memorandum is to bid farewell to the Office 
     and  to wish everyone the very best.   I will sincerely miss  each 
     one  of you,  and will always retain fond memories of our  efforts 
     together  and the many triumphs we were able to achieve as a team.  
     Because  of  the  intensity  of our  activities  and  being  under 
     constant  political  fire,  the  bonding that I felt for  you  was 
     similar  to that which occurs to soldiers in combat and I came  to 
     love you as brothers and sisters.
     
     2. The  attached document fairly well sums up how I feel about the 
     entire issue although,  I subsequently lined out several portions.  
     I  am convinced that no one working within the present "structure" 
     will  ever  satisfactorily resolve the question of whether or  not 
     U.S.  prisoners  were  held after the cessation of hostilities  in 
     Vietnam or elsewhere.
     
     3. It is my plan to pursue the issue via other avenues,  and while 
     so  doing,  will  work diligently to give the POW/MIA  Office  the 
     credit  it so richly deserves and to ensure that your  reputation, 
     in all circles, is defended and upheld.   Your honor and interests 
     will always be one of my highest priorities -- and when I say that 
     I mean it.
     
       4. Many  thanks to everyone,  for your support;  your  devotion; 
     your hard work; and your dedication to excellence.   God bless you 
     all.
     
                                    Adieu, Millard A. Peck Colonel,
                                           Infantry USA
     
       =*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=*=
     
     Date:  12-Feb-1991                                    memorandum
     
     REPLY TO
     THE ATTENTION OF: POW/MIA                         U-0173/POW/MIA
     SUBJ:  REQUEST FOR RELIEF
     TO: DR
     
     1. PURPOSE:  I hereby,  request to resign my position as the Chief 
     of  the Special Office for Prisoners of War and Missing in Action. 
     (POW/MIA)
     
     2. BACKGROUND
     
     a. Motivation.   My  initial acceptance of this posting was  based 
     upon  two primary motives:   first,  I had heard that the job  was 
     highly  contentious and extremely frustrating,  that no one  would 
     
     NAM VET Newsletter                                         Page  9
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991

     volunteer  for it because of its complex political nature.   This, 
     of course, made it appear challenging.  Secondly, since the end of 
     the  Vietnam  War,  I had heard the persistent rumors of  American 
     Servicemen  having  been  abandoned in  Indochina,  and  that  the 
     Government   was  conducting  a  "cover-up"   so  as  not  to   be 
     embarrassed.  I was curious about this and thought that serving as 
     the  Chief  of POW-MIA would be an opportunity to satisfy  my  own 
     interest and help clear the Government's name.
     
     b. The  Office's  reputation.   It was interesting that   previous 
     exposure to the POW-MIA Office, while assigned to the DIA, both as 
     a  Deputy Director for Intelligence (DDI)  and as the Chief Of the 
     Asia Division for Current Intelligence (JSI-3) was negative.   DIA 
     personnel  who worked for me,  when dealing with or mentioning the 
     office,  always  spoke about it in deprecating tones,  alluding to 
     the  fact that any report which found its way there would  quickly 
     disappear into a "black hole."
     
     c. General  Attitudes.   Additionally,   surveys  of  active  duty 
     military personnel indicated that a high percentage (83%) believed 
     that  there were still live American prisoners in  Vietnam.   This 
     idea  was further promulgated in a number of legitimate  veterans' 
     periodicals  and  professional journals,  as well as the media  in 
     general,  which held that where there was so much smoke there must 
     be fire.
     
     d. Cover  up.   The  dark  side  of  the  issue  was  particularly 
     unsettling  because  of the persistent rumors and innuendoes of  a 
     Government conspiracy,  alleging that U.S.  military personnel had 
     been  left  behind  to  the victorious  communist  governments  in 
     Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia,  and that for "political reasons"  or 
     running  the  risk of a second Vietnam War,  their  existence  was 
     officially  denied.   Worse  yet  was the implication  that  DIA's 
     Special  Office  for  POWs and MIAs was an integral part  of  this 
     effort  to  cover the entire affair up so as not to embarrass  the 
     Government nor the Defense Establishment.
     
     e. The  Crusade.   As  a Vietnam veteran with a certain amount  of 
     experience  in Indochina,  I was interested in the entire  POW-MIA 
     question,  and willingly volunteered for the job,  viewing it as a 
     sort of holy crusade.
     
     f. The  Harsh  Reality.   Heading  up  the  Office  has  not  been 
     pleasant.  My plan was to be totally honest and forthcoming on the 
     entire  issue  and  aggressively  pursue  innovative  actions  and 
     concepts   to  clear  up  the  live  sighting  business,   thereby 
     refurbishing  the image and honor of the DIA.  I became  painfully 
     aware, however,  that I was not really in charge of my own office, 
     but  was  merely  a figurehead or whipping boy for  a  larger  and 
     totally  Machiavellian  group of players outside of DIA.   What  I 
     witnessed during my tenure as the cardboard cut-out "Chief" of the 
     POW/MIA could be euphemistically labeled as disillusioning.
     
     3. CURRENT IMPRESSIONS, BASED ON MY EXPERIENCE
     
     a. Highest  National Priority.   That National leaders continue to 
     address  the  prisoner of war and missing in action issue  as  the 
     "highest national priority" is a travesty.  From my vantage point, 
     I  observed that the principal government players were  interested 
     
     NAM VET Newsletter                                         Page 10
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991

     primarily  in  conducting  a  "damage  limitation  exercise"   and 
     appeared   to  knowingly  and  deliberately  generate  an  endless 
     succession  of  manufactured  crises and  "busy  work".   Progress 
     consisted in frenetic activity,  with little substance and no real 
     results.
     
     b. The  Mindset to Debunk.   The mindset to "debunk"  is alive and 
     well. It is held at all levels,  and continues to pervade the POW-
     MIA  Office,  which  is  not  necessarily the fault  of  the  DIA.  
     Practically  all  analysis is directed to finding fault  with  the 
     source.   Rarely  has  there  been any  effective,  active  follow 
     through on any of the sightings, nor is there a responsive "action 
     arm" to routinely and aggressively pursue leads.  The latter was a 
     moot point, anyway, since the Office was continuously buried in an 
     avalanche  of "ad hoc"  taskings from every quarter,  all of which 
     required  an immediate response.   It was impossible to plan ahead 
     or  prioritize courses of action.   Any real effort to pursue live 
     sighting  reports  or  exercise initiative was diminished  by  the 
     plethora  of  "busy work"  projects directed by  higher  authority 
     outside DIA. A number of these grandiose endeavors bordered on the 
     ridiculous  --  quite  significantly --  there was never an  audit 
     trail.  None of these taskings was ever requested formally.  There 
     was,  and  still  is,  a refusal by any of the players  to  follow 
     normal intelligence channels in dealing with the POW/MIA office.
     
     c. Duty,  Honor,  Integrity.   It appears that the entire issue is 
     being  manipulated  by unscrupulous people in the  Government,  or 
     associated  with  the Government.   Some are using the  issue  for 
     personal  or  political advantage and others use if as a forum  to 
     perform and feel important, or worse.  The sad fact,  however,  is 
     that  this  issue  is being controlled and a cover up  may  be  in 
     progress.   The   entire  charade does not appear to be an  honest 
     effort and may never have been.
     
     d. POW/MIA Officers Abandoned.  When I assessed the office for the 
     first  time,  I  was somewhat amazed and greatly disturbed by  the 
     fact  that  I was the only military officer in an organization  of 
     more than 40 people. Since combatants of all Services were lost in 
     Vietnam,  I  would  have thought there would at least be  a  token 
     service  representation  for  a matter of  the  "highest  National 
     priority".   Since the normal mix of officers from all services is 
     not  found in my organization it would appear that the  issue,  at 
     least at the working level, has,  in fact,  been abandoned.  Also, 
     the  horror stories of the succession of military officers at  the 
     0-5  and 0-6 level who have in some manner "rocked the  boat"  and 
     quickly come to grief at the hands of the Government policy makers 
     who  direct the issue,  lead one to the conclusion that we are all 
     quite  expendable,  so by extrapolation one simply concludes  that 
     these   same   bureaucrats  would  "sacrifice"   anyone  who   was 
     troublesome  or  contentious  --  including prisoners of  war  and 
     missing  in  action.   Not  a comforting  thought.   Any  military 
     officer  expected to survive in this environment would have to  be 
     myopic, an accomplished sycophant, or totally insouciant.
     
     e. The  DIA  Involvement.   DIA's  role  in the  affair  is  truly 
     unfortunate. The overall Agency, has generally practiced a "damage 
     limitation drill" on the issue,  as well.   The POW/MIA Office has 
     been  cloistered  for all practical purposes and left to  its  own 
     fortunes.   The  POW office is the lowest level in the  Government 
     
     NAM VET Newsletter                                         Page 11
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991

     "effort"  to  resolve  the issue,  and oddly for  an  intelligence 
     organization,  has  become  the  "lighting  rod"  for  the  entire 
     establishment  on the matter.   The policy people manipulating the 
     affair  have maintained their distance and remained hidden in  the 
     shadows, while using the Office as "toxic waste dump"  to bury the 
     whole  "mess"  out  of sight and mind in a facility  with  limited 
     access  to public scrutiny.   Whatever happens in the  issue,  DIA 
     takes  the blame,  while the real players remain  invisible.   The 
     fact   that  the  POW/MIA  Office  is  always  the  center  of  an 
     investigation  is  of  no  surprise.   Many  people  suspect  that 
     something  is  rotten about the whole thing,  but cannot  find  an 
     audit  trail  to  ascribe blame,  so they attack  the  DIA/POW/MIA 
     "dump", simply because it has been placed in the line of fire as a 
     cheap, expendable decoy.
     
     f. "Suppressio  Veri Suggesto Falsi".   Many of the puppet masters 
     play  a confusing murky role.   For instance,  the Director of the 
     National   League   of  Families  occupies  an   interesting   and 
     questionable position in the whole process.   Although assiduously 
     "churning" the account to give a tawdry illusion of progress,  she 
     is  adamantly  opposed  to any initiative to actually get  to  the 
     heart  of the problem,  and,  more importantly,  interferes in  or 
     actively sabotages POW-MIA analyses or investigations. She insists 
     on  rewriting or editing all significant documents produced by the 
     Office,  inserting her own twist or meaning to what was originally 
     prepared.   This  is  then  touted  as  the  DIA  position.    She 
     apparently has access to top secret, codeword message traffic, for 
     which  she  is supposedly not cleared,  and she receives  it  well 
     ahead of the DIA intelligence analysts.  Her influence in "jerking 
     around"  everyone  and  everything involved in the issue goes  far 
     beyond  the "war and MIA protested gone straight"  scenario.   She 
     was  brought from the "outside"  into the center of the imbroglio, 
     and  then,  cloaked in a mantel of sanctimony,  routinely  impedes 
     real progress and insidiously "muddles up" the issue.  One wonders 
     who she really is and where she came from. . .
     
     4. CONCLUSIONS.
     
     a. The Stalled Crusade.  Unfortunately,  what began on such a high 
     note never succeeded in embarking.  In some respects,  however,  I 
     have managed to satisfy some of my curiosity.
     
     b. Everyone  is Expendable.   I have seen firsthand how ready  and 
     willing the policy people are to sacrifice or "abandon" anyone who 
     might  be  perceived as a political liability.   It is  quick  and 
     facile, and can be easily covered.
     
     c. High-Level  Knavery.   I feel strongly that this issue is being 
     manipulated and controlled at a higher level, not with the goal of 
     resolving  it,   but  more  to  obfuscate  the  question  of  live 
     prisoners,   and   give   the   illusion   of   progress   through 
     hyperactivity.
     
     d. "Smoke  and Mirrors".   From what I have witnessed,  it appears 
     that  any soldier left in Vietnam,  even  inadvertently,  was,  in 
     fact, abandoned years ago, and that the farce that is being played 
     is  no  more  than  political legerdemain  done  with  "smoke  and 
     mirrors", to stall the issue until it dies a natural death.
     
     
     NAM VET Newsletter                                         Page 12
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991

     e. National League of Families.   I am convinced that the Director 
     of  this  organization is much more than meets the  eye.   As  the 
     principal actor in the grand show,  she is in the perfect position 
     to clamor for "progress",  while really intentionally impeding the 
     effort.  And, there are numerous examples of this.  Otherwise,  it 
     is  inconceivable that so many bureaucrats in the  "system"  would 
     instantaneously do her bidding and humor her every whim.
     
     f. DIA's  Dilemma.  Although greatly saddened by the role ascribed 
     to the Defense Intelligence Agency,  I feel,  at least,  that I am 
     dealing  with honest men and women who are generally powerless  to 
     make  the system work.   My appeal and attempt to amend this  role 
     perhaps never had a chance.  We, all, were subject to control.   I 
     particularly  salute the personnel in the POW-MIA Office for their 
     long suffering, which I regrettable was unable to change.   I feel 
     that  the Agency and the Office are being used as the "fall  guys" 
     or "patsies" to cover the tricks of others.
     
     5. RECOMMENDATIONS
     
     a. One Final Vietnam Casualty.   So ends the war and my last grand 
     crusade, like it did actually did end, I guess.  However,  as they 
     say in the Legion, "je ne regrette rein..."  For all of the above, 
     I respectfully request to be relieved of my duties as Chief of the 
     Special Office for Prisoners of War and Missing in Action.
     
     b. A  Farewell  to Arms.   So as to avoid the annoyance  of  being 
     shipped  off  to some remote corner,  out of sight and out of  the 
     way,  in  my  own "bamboo cage"  of silence somewhere,  I  further 
     request  that  the  Defense  Intelligence  Agency,  which  I  have 
     attempted  to  serve loyally and with honor,  assist me  in  being 
     retired immediately from active military service.
     
                                       Signed Millard A. Peck
                                       Colonel, Infantry USA
     
                     --------------------------------
     





















     NAM VET Newsletter                                         Page 13
     Volume  5, Number  6                                 June 10, 1991

                     Review of "Kiss the Boys Goodbye: