2009 Sep-Oct

MEDEVAC 15th Med\15th FSB
Mike Bodnar
307B N Main Copperas Cove, TX 76522
1704 254-542-1961
E-mail: mbodnar27@juno.com

I got a telephone call from '69-'70 MEDEVAC PSG L. Don BARTON, who also lives in AZ. He mentioned that his wife, who was also an Army vet, recently-and tragically-died. If you want to contact Don, his e-mail is: mudmedic70@hotmail.com . You can encourage Don to come out to the 2010 Reunion.

Don was an E-7 Combat Medic in A 1-5 Cav in '69 at the same time that I was in C 2-7 Cav, before we converged in MEDEVAC in Jan. '70. I found it hard to believe that an E-7 would be a Medic out in the field-not just working in the Bn. Aid Station, but he said that he had marveled many doing that. Coincidentally, one of my platoon sergeants in 1st Plt., C 2- 7 Cav '69, Mark SMITH, had been in A 1-5 Cav on his first tour, 1967 to Tet '68, and when Combat Medic Charles C. HAGEMEISTER earned the CMOH, 20 March 67.

Webmaster\past president 2003-2006 15th MED Association Murray GIBBS, MEDEVAC '67-'68, gunnermadmur@neo.rr.com writes, "Greeting 15th MED Members, I just recently found out that one of our members died last month on June 23rd, 2009. His funeral was held on July 1st, 2009. Richard 'Tiny' MELLON will be remembered and missed. He was very active at all the Reunions since 2003 where we met him. We gave a nick name to him at the 2003 Reunion, 'TINY.' It was great to listen to him talk and tell stories. He was very liked by all the members. He was our auctioneer at the 2004 Reunion and he was good at it. We have pictures of him from some of the Reunions, and at the 2006 Reunion we took pictures of him dancing with other members and the band leader." Murray says that photos of "Tiny," and his obituary, are linked on the Webpage, July Newsletter. Here is the MELLON family's address and phone number: The MELLON Family, 1765 Bay St., Taunton, MA 02780 Phone: 508-822-0904. E-mail: mellonco@msn.com .

E-mail from MEDEVAC gunner\Assn. past president Jim CALIBRO: "By now most of you have heard that Tiny passed away toward the end of June. His funeral was July 1. We didn't know of Tiny's passing until Velma & Mike [SMITH] called to check on them Sunday morning. Mike SMITH attached a copy of the obituary to this e-mail for those of you that didn't get the info.

"I spoke to Dorothy, Sunday morning. She said, 'Tiny was in good spirits up until he passed away.' She also informed me that over 300 people attended his funeral.

"Dorothy said, 'He had a lot of friends, and loved us all. Tiny put up a good fight until his kidneys failed him.'

"I first met Tiny in 2003 when we held our Reunion in Orlando. That was his first Reunion. We immediately became friends and remained good friends over the years. I have a lot of fond memories of Tiny. He was very humorless and kept us laughing like we were still 19 & 20 years old. I will miss him, he's gone but will never be forgotten. My minister commented his legacy remains in the form of freedom and his great friends. Jim." On Monday, July 27, 2009, '69-'70 MEDEVAC gunner, David PARKS, was hospitalized after a road rage incident shortly after 5PM. The local newspaper said, "The incident happened south of the intersection on HWY 95, just west of HWY 19 (Simplot Blvd) towards Garmin hill where both men were pulled to the shoulder of the road. Mr. PARKS recalls the attacker approaching him in a boxing type of stance, arms up like most boxers do, and did so almost at a run ready to throw blows/swinging. Mr. PARKS attempted to defend himself only to be taken to the ground, beaten and kicked by the attacker who continued attacking even after Mr. PARKS had stated that he thought his legs could be broken and was unable to get up. The suspect expressed his pleasure and stated that, 'maybe this will teach you old men not to @#$% with us young guys.'

"He was then left on the pavement in the middle of the southbound lane of the highway by the suspect, who fled the scene. Mr. PARKS then had to struggle back to the side of the road, dragging himself, unable to get up or walk, to his vehicle contacting his family for help before emergency responders had arrived at the scene. Although numerous cars passed by during the attack, only one individual stopped to help. Passerby(s) were the ones who contacted 911, as the person who stopped did not have the ability to contact emergency services.

"The victim, a disabled veteran who was awarded the Silver Star, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart, for his service in Vietnam, was air transported to Seattle where he is undergoing surgery to repair injuries from the attack, including full hip reconstruction.

"The attacker was described as being a 35-45 year old male, 6' to 6'4" tall, approximately 180 lbs, short dark hair grey on the sides, moustache, goatee, and dark tan. He was last seen driving what may be an earlier model, possibly 1992-1997 body style, blue & white two tone Chevrolet dually pickup with Owyhee County plates. Sources will remain confidential. Canyon county case # C09-207 31."

Murray GIBBS also mentions, "I just got this e-mail concerning Dan WEAVER. He was our Vice President 2003-2004. He has passed away just recently. The e-mail is from our Treasurer Bob MCKINLEY: 'Murray, I just got a phone call from Quin WEAVER to let me know that Danny passed away this morning. He didn't give me all the details. His service will be 8/11/09 in Lockport, IL, where he lived. Please put out to all the MED guys so they know. We should send flowers from the Association. Bob'"

Always remembering our 1st Cav troops on duty around the world; over and out.

FIRST TEAM!
Garryowen,
Mike Bodnar C 2\7 '69
MEDEVAC 1-7\70
SO THAT OTHERS MAY LIVE