From: Billy Williams

Date: January 27, 2016

Subject: Roger Carroll Shows (Carry-over subject)

And for those of us working Orient Express in Saigon, there was the AFVN snack bar during the canned C&W show from 4-5AM followed by Barbara Randolph from 5-6AM (in 1972). Around 25 minutes to eat before the disc change in the middle of AFRTS shows.
Billy

From: Billy Williams

Date: January 27, 2016

Subject: Roger Carroll Shows (Carry-over subject)

Wasn't a Sgt Banks involved someway with that snack bar?
Garry Brill
Saigon 69-70

From: Jim White

Date: May 1, 2012

Subject: Snack Bar

Just a little more on the Snack Bar. I never knew Sgt Banks. But, if he "ran the Snack Bar" then he must have been the Admin NCO because I did much the same thing when I was there. AFVN had it's 8th Anniversary party on August 15th, 1970, not too long after I arrived. As I recall, it was held in and in front of the Snack Bar. By this time, there were some picnic tables outside the snack bar. They consisted of a table with attached benches on both sides and could seat perhaps six or eight people. Whoever made them, however, either (1) wasn't much a designer of picnic tables or (2) had a very strange sense of humor. Because if there were people sitting on both sides and then everyone on one side or the other got up, the entire table (with benches, drink and food) would tip towards the side of those who were still sitting and dump them and everything else on the ground. After just a few times of this, everyone began to be a little more careful.

JimW

From: Tim Bodle

Sent: April 30, 2012

Subject: Saigon Billets

I remember watching the girl behind the counter picking her feet or toes and when someone came in and ordered something she would jump up and begin preparing the order. No washie hands there. Aaaahhhh, the memories.

[I'm not sure if this is from Tim or not, but it is too true to simply be ignored. JimW]

From: Jim White

Sent: April 30, 2012

Subject: Snack Bar

Joe, Yes, there was a "snack bar" on the Saigon AFVN. And, it was there from at least as early as January 1970, and perhaps even before. It was located at the very back of the compound and was actually a rather small building divided into a kitchen area and a dining area with a number of tables and chairs. We had a couple of Vietnamese women cooks and perhaps several other clean-up people, etc. I remember that I used to go there as soon as I got to the station and get a sweet roll and coffee for breakfast. A number of others did the same. I would take them to my desk in the Admin the office to eat. Also, at noon, I woud usual get a sandwich and coke, again to eat at my desk. Not sure how many others did this, but I do recall we had a "noon-hour" bus that would take whomever wanted to go and was free to do so to the Ky Son at noon, then bring them back by 1300.

Note to all: The correct spelling for the "Ky Son" is as I have written it (and, as it is on the maps of Saigon). I realize that memories fade and so on, but "Keyson," etc are not really correct--understandable, yes, but not correct.

Jim W

From: Bob Morecook

Date: April 30, 2012

Subject: Snack Bar

Jim, The snack bar was there in 72/73 also. But the noon bus was gone. Everyone was on separate rats and we had to buy all our own meals. [Even so I did take dinner at the Walling BEQ.]

Bob M

From: Joe Ciokon

Sent: April 29, 2012

Subject: Saigon Billets

I was billeted with Marine Sgt Dan Ziegler and an Army SP4 at the Kyson Annex on the corner of Tran Hung Dao and that triangle intersection next to the Shell gas station. The Kyson was around the corner to the left and across the street. It was temporarily occupied by the VC during TET and we exchanged sniper fire from the rooftop. The Plaza was in the middle of the block towards the market and the Brinks and away from Cholon which is where Ziegler and I were first billeted. The MP compound was also near there as well as the Army Dispensary. Does anyone remember the designation of that medical unit and the MP company? Dickie and I helped unload a medevac helo there.

AFVN Snack Bar

April & May 2012 (and later)

AFVN Group Conversations

From: Billy Williams

Date: January 27, 2016

Subject: Roger Carroll Shows (Carrry-over subject)

And for those of us working Orient Express in Saigon, there was the AFVN snack bar during the canned C&W show from 4-5AM followed by Barbara Randolph from 5-6AM (in 1972). Around 25 minutes to eat before the disc change in the middle of AFRTS shows.
Billy Williams

From: Jim White

Date: February 3, 2016

Subject: AFVN Snack Bar

Garry,
There was a MSG Raymond Banks, USA, who was the Radio NCOIC in 1969-70. I got to AFVN in August 1970 and, as the Admin NCOIC, was responsible for the AFVN Snack Bar. Fortunately, it required little intervention or maintenance. About the only thing I had to do is related above.

Jim W

From: Mike Jackson

Date: December 27, 2013

Subject: AFVN Cafe 1971

Mick Smith enclosed this picture in a Christmas card and said he thought it was Doug Jennings at the counter. I think the guy looking at the camera was an Air Force officer. I can’t remember his name. Mick says he hope to have more pix coming.

From: James Brigham

Sent: May 1, 2012

Subject: Saigon Billets

Here is a photo of "Bro. Sweetback" and one of the Vietnamese workers taken in front of the AFVN snack Bar, 1972.

From: Garry Brill

Date: May 1, 2012

Subject: Snack Bar Girl

Wasn't that [the snack bar] run by Sgt. Banks? (Now, there's a name to remember!)

From: Rick Fredericksen

Date: April 30, 2012

Subject: Snack Bar Girl

Damn, NOW I find out she was dating everyone! Her name was Mai. Yes, that little stand at the end of the hall was the only snack bar I recall (mostly 1969) although I was interviewed by NBC in the day room out back during the censorship controversy.

Rick

[NB: It may that what Rick remembers as the "Day Room" later became the "Snack Bar." I also seem to remember someone at the end of the hall (next to Engineering) selling sandwiches, etc. at noon after I got there in August 1970. Or, is this just a hallucination? JimW]

From: Joe Ciokon

Sent: April 29, 2012

Subject: Snack Bar

Jim, Thanks a bunch for filling in some blanks. “Snack Bar”? You guys had a snack bar? When did that happen? I remember being on the night shift when TET 68 hit. We were trapped in the compound for 56 hours before we could get relief. We were surrounded by VC. We found a couple cases of old WW II C-rats and had a field day. If it weren’t for ARVN Rangers on the “dry” side and ARVN Marines on the “wet” side (Saigon River), I wouldn’t be here. They kept the bad guys off our backs until the MPs and some US infantry could relieve us. Nick Palladino found a way to sneak through enemy lines the first day and join us in the News Room. CDR Eaves also took a chance weaving through town to get to us. I remember sleeping on the TV studio floor with a bunch of MPs. Anyone else on this net who was there and remember more details?

JoeC

From: Jim White

Sent: April 29, 2012

Subject: Saigon Billets

Joe, The dispensary was the 218th. The MP Battalion was the 716th. Marine MSG Tom Segel and I went over to their compound in mid-November 1970 to report that their men were coming into the AFVN Snack Bar late at night and leaving it a mess. I think we had the only "24/7" snack bar in Saigon so it was popular among the MPs. And, after being told that if they didn't straighten up and fly right we would bar them--we had no further problems.

Jim