2013 Mar-Ap

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

Bill Walsh, C 2-7 Cav and MEDEVAC Medic '70, career Chicago PD, informs us that he has Stage IV cancer, and is now taking chemotherapy. He says, "Ain't no stages after that..." If you want to give Bill more to live for, encourage and support his fight, contact him at cpd9283@comcast.net

Executive Director, 1st Cavalry Division Association Dennis Webster e-mailed, "We were just informed of the death of COL (Ret) W. Rex Davis, MD. He died on 12 June 2012 after a year-long battle with cancer. He commanded the 15th MED in Vietnam from June 1967 – July 1968 and was concurrently the Division Surgeon. First Team!"

Again, the 16th Annual 15th MED Assn. Reunion will be held in OLD SACRAMENTO at the Holiday Inn Capital Plaza 300 J St. April 17-21,2013. (916)446-0100. For more info. contact Jim Calibro, Secretary (209)573-0701 jimcc4@att.net .

Art Jacobs, 15th MED Assn. President writes, "My Dad flew down from Massachusetts to visit us. He was in the Army Air Force in Europe in World War II – 87 and still going strong. While he was here we drove to Halls, Tennessee (near Dyersburg in the northwest corner of the state). They have a wonderful little World War II museum there because during the war it was a B-17 training base. The tarmac is a little worn and with tufts of grass in the cracks, but the pictures and memorabilia inside brought the place alive. It was worth the five hours in the car just to see the look in my Dad’s eyes. He remembers being in the co-pilot seat in 1945 and hearing the announcement of President Franklin’s death. That was his 'JFK 22 November 1963' moment. I tell you this story because there are very few World War II veterans left today. They lived in a country that was filled with patriotic pride, and where self-reliance and doing your part (and more) were routine. I fear that the general public today in this land knows precious little about true service to country, duty, honor, and the character of the Greatest Generation. I pray that my children will not live in a debt-ridden and selfish country whose best days are behind them." Read more from Art on the 15th MED Assn. Website President's Corner. Also, be sure and read the latest newsletter.

From Phil Willis, Sp4, 15th MED, KOREA 1962-1963, pawillis@goeaston.net , "Mike, I was reading your column in the Jan\Feb issue of SABER, and down where you were quoting Art Jacobs, and about wearing your 1st Cav gear: I made several trips to Knob Creek Machine Gun shoot in KY with a buddy who operated a booth. I got some 1st Cav decals, and begin placing them on my vehicles, then got a Maryland 1st CAV license plate for my truck and the recognition has been awesome. Salutes from other drivers, but my best recognition was the small 1st Cav pin I received when I joined the Association. Upon exiting an International flight at BWI in Baltimore, a young Customs Officer on the gangway made eye contact, then shifted his eyes to the pin on my hat: I got a polite nod. Later after passing thru Immigration, baggage and entering Customs, he was standing there. He took me out of line and processed me personally, and wanted to talk about the Cav. Evidently his grandfather had served in Korea and left him some memorabilia from his service. He had no way of knowing that my service was in Korea also. Needless to say, I was the last thru Customs in my group, but the recognition and “thank you for serving” was much appreciated. I still wear that pin on my hat when I travel as it helps connecting with other vets, and the 'thank you' from total strangers. It has truly come full circle since Vietnam and I wasn’t even there, and 'thanks for your service.'"

Harry E. Peters (then SP/4), Crew Chief, OH-6A, E Btry 82nd Arty (Avn), 1st Cav Div May 1969 – Aug 1970 CCed me in reply to Al (Frenchy)-Albert Benamou abenamou@hotmail.com who was in Qual Loi in '69-'70 with the 15th MED. "Albert – Saw your note in the 1st Cav Div 'Saber' – Jan/Feb 2013. I was with the 1st Cav Div working out of Phouc Vinh, Song Be, LZ Buttons, Lai Khe, and Quan Loi. What caught my eye was the Quan Loi location. You guys took great care of both myself and a good friend (fellow crew chief) of mine on the evening of Nov 17, 1969. We were both wounded on the flight line (across the flight line from your location if I remember correctly).

We were working out of Quan Loi with the 1/21st Arty and/or the 1/77th Arty. We received rocket fire that evening as usual right before chow. Both myself and my partner were just closing up our helicopters (OH-6A, LOCH’s) and an AF Caribou was taxing by us and of course we waved at the load master – and then nothing – I came to across the revetment and someone was dragging me away and through the wire as the SP yard. They carried me by jeep to the aid station and I was so happy to see my partner – both of us sort of OK but with added metal all around. The AF load master was killed (I learned later) and the AC took a rocket right through the wing. You guys took care of us, patched us up, and got us on a MEDEVAC to the 93rd EVAC in Long Bien.

Thanks so much for taking care of us. You guys saved our life’s and took good care of us. I wish I knew who carried me through the wire of the SP yard and to the aid station. I vividly remember getting worked on at the aid station, being carried to the helicopter and part of the flight to Long Bien. Next I remember was being carried off of the helicopter and then waking up in post op after the first of a few surgeries."

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