From: Bob Morecook

Date: August 4, 2014

Subject: AFVN Reunion Details [mis-named]

Hi Michael
And you are so welcome. You made me feel really proud today that such a good thing should have come from our group and efforts. But it was you and AFVN that earned the ribbons -- that I have not forgotten. It's this sort of thing -- your results -- that in my heart of hearts hoped might come about.

Bob Morecook

From: Michael R. Goucher

Date: August 4, 2014

Subject: AFVN Reunion Details [mis-titled]

Bob--
I need to express my thanks to you and all in the AFVN Group who made it known to the group about designation of all the AFVN detachment members during 1967 - 1969 for the Meritorious Unit Citation. That kicked off a chain of events which led to discovery and correction of several errors in my DD214, all of which became noticed and corrected because I asked for the MUC ribbon. They say the Lord moves in mysterious ways and I feel your forwarding of the Army Records Unit address was the cue ball that started almost a 2-year pool game that ended with me finally receiving:
          JSCM for Meritorious Service at MACV & AFVN
          Meritorious Unit Citation
          Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars
          RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation
This would never have happened but for the AFVN Group you began in 1998 and the subsequent FaceBook page, and the resulting communications shared among our members.
Thanks, Bob. And thanks AFVN Group and AFVN Facebook Group members who communicate almost DAILY.
Ain't life just full of surprises?
Michael R Goucher
AFVN, Det. 3, Pleiku 1967 - 1968

wFrom: Jim White

wtDate: December 23, 2012

Subject: Feeling Good About Helping Others

You're right about sometimes it feels good to be able to help someone. I remember a somewhat "overage Sp4" who sorely needed a promotion to E5. This was when I was at the Engineer School at Fort Belvoir in 1966 or so. He was a welding instructor and could probably weld two pieces of Kleenex together without scorching them. But, at the same time, he came on as a rather uneducated hick from the back hills of West Virginia (which he could well have been) and therefore couldn't do very well in front of a promotion board. As an E-8 I was in charge of the Brigade promotion board to E4 and E5 and, after he had appeared and failed a couple of months in a row, I took the bull by the horns and convinced the promotion board that he deserved the promotion regardless of his "before the board" performance. They finally agreed with me and was the guy ever happy. As I recall, he was billeted near the small PX where my wife was working and, somehow he knew that she was my wife. He even told her how happy I was that I had helped him.

wFrom: Jerry Nelson

wtDate: December 21, 2012

Subject: Feeling Good About Helping Others

Up at 4 in the morning. Winter has come. Snow and 50mph winds. Things keep banging around outside and the electricity keeps going off and on. You're right, so much of the things that we did we considered routine but were very important in the lifes of the people we served. I remember one time that I was able to process an early out for college for one of our men. He was ever so grateful and that made me feel that I was doing something worth while.

wFrom: X

wtDate: December 21, 2012

Subject: Babydoll?

I was at AFVN Saigon 70-71. [My brother was in another section]. I always carried a .45 in a shoulder holster under my shirt. One evening I went out to an establishment with a couple of Army acquaintances and while I did not partake, they did and rather liberally, buying (tea) for the ladies who visited with us at the table. They knew I was armed and kept wanting me to show it to the ladies. Being naive, I unbuttoned my shirt and opened it exposing the pistol. When I did, one of the guys reached in, grabbed the pistol and handed it to one of the girls. PURE TERROR on my part. I quickly retrieved the weapon and got up to leave. When I turned around, sitting at an adjacent table was you staring at me. You did not say a word as I left, I thought that I'll probably wind up in the brig over this. Sure enough, the next day I was summoned to your office and there was some rather loud language ricocheting off the walls all coming in my direction. It was not as bad as I thought it might be though and you never said anymore about it.

An opportunity presented itself back home which I wanted to take advantage of but it required me to be back the first part of August. But my rotation was not due until the 1st of September. I discussed it with you. I had not taken any R&R and asked if I could apply that to an early rotation. You were very skeptical about the situation but had me fill out a request. Lo and behold, a couple of weeks later orders came down for me to rotate back to the States in mid July. I call that taking care of me. To answer you inquiry about being stationed in Japan, no I never was stationed there however I have been to Issahya, Osaka, Tokyo and Kariya several times professionally. Its a beautiful place and the trains go fast. I've often thought that we need an Atlantic to Pacific high speed rail here both passenger and freight with the slower lines going north and south off of it. One day in the future I believe we'll be forced to look at something like that. In any event, I wish you the best and I appreciate the offer to aide if needed.

wFrom: Jim White

wtDate: December 18, 2012

Subject: Babydoll?

My apologies!!!!! I confused you with another person with the same last name who was also in AFVN when we were there. I was just talking with Jerry Nelson who was in the Admin Section with me. He knew you worked in one of the sections along with your brother, Y and was able to get me straightened out. I really don't have anything about you in my diary which may mean you must have never been in my hair as well as possibly never came to me for anything in particular. However, I would like to know more about how "I took care of you a couple of times." Again, I'm in Osaka, which is some distance from Tokyo, but, again, please let me know if there is ever anything you think I might be able to do to give your daughter.

wFrom: X

wtDate: December 18, 2012

Subject: Unknown

My babydoll is my 23 year old daughter who is in Tokyo teaching ESL. She is over there trying her wings and resume building. I want you to know that I always enjoy your posts and I remember you taking care of me a time or two.

wFrom: Jim White

wtDate: December 18, 2012

Subject: Babydoll?

I don't mean to be snoopy, but was intrigued by your "My babydoll is in Japan right now" comment.

I've lived in Japan for 48 of the past 58 years and have been in Osaka for the past 38. Am curious as to who "Babydoll" may be? Wife? Daughter? Also, where she may be? Can I be a liaison or of help in any way?

It's true that it seems that no one is 100% save anywhere anymore. But I find Japan relatively safe as long as reasonable precautions are taken.

Jim

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Helping Others and Sometimes Saving their Necks

December 2012 and August 2014

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Also some names and positions have been changed to protect the innocent.

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