Conv-How Are You Doing?

From: Steve Pennington

Date: April 5, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Still missing Dickie's Daily Appeal, but am enjoying Preston's daily offerings. All is well for us here in Edmonds, Wa. Went to the commissary a couple of days ago and everyone was complying with the social distancing. The place was pretty empty for the day after payday. Having a virtual meeting this evening for our Masonic, Veterans Support Committee. Cheers.

Steve Pennington

From: Ken Gilder

Date: April 5, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

From sunny St. Petersburg, FL, I'm out of bed. but since I'm not going anywhere, I'm sitting around in my underwear, drinking Southern Comfort, and feeding the cat Temptations treats. Lost 30k playing internet poker, but I played stupidly. Glad it was only play money.
Stay healthy and safe
Ken

From: Ken Kalish

Date: April 9, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Jim, got a good laugh out of the “He looks like a foreigner” bit. Glad your spousal unit is back with the outfit! Hugs and stuff.
Ken

AFVN Group Conversations

From: Stan Pratt

Date: April 9, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Thanks, Dickie,
During the last month and one half of my tour in-country, I had the opportunity to work with Westy and a number of other brass a bit as well.
Sometimes it all seems like so long ago and at other times like yesterday.
A few years back our local historical society came along and after first telling them no, caused me to dig back into forgotten memories and photographs to help them raft a 50-year display of photos from those years. Then Marc came along and revived even more memories and brought me to this group.
At the time the display at the museum opened I had some second thoughts about it but today I feel very good, having has a number of veterans of that war and others tell me how much it helped them address some of their own issues. I now believe that being able to help in some way has also helped me just as reading the messages sent by many of your members.
After leaving Vietnam and returning to the USA I went to Fort Monmouth, where, for a little over a year I was a Still Photography Instructor. When I left the military in September of 1967 I returned to my home town in Northeastern, PA where I opened a photographic studio that I ran for many years.
Overall, my military experience was quite positive for this kid from a small town in NE PA. Thanks for what you are doing here.
Stan
P.S. Photos are from the museum display. The young lad is my son Grant, now 15 who was helping me hang the display on a show day from school. (Click Here)

Group Conversations
H to M

Group Conversations
A & B

From: Dick Ellis

Date: April 9, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

No interlopers here Stan...we were all in the same boat doing the same job.....glad to have your input.

Dickie in Dixie... 67–68.

TV Star, war hero, media adviser to General Westmoreland and Saigon Champion BS Artist!

From: Ken Kalish

Date: April 9, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Good to hear from you, Steve. You’re not that different from some of our people who went into the field for film and photos. Welcome to our messy nest.
Ken

From: Chuck Adams

Date: April 10, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

A quad Script Ohio done by TBDBITL. Thank you, Forrest. And when does football season begin -- or does it?
Chuck the Buck(eye)
P.S. For those who may not know, TBDBITL stands for The Best Damn Band In The Land. I've been watching it since 1961, my freshman year. And I enjoyed it so much, Ohio State, that is, I got my masters in 1967. From there I did post-graduate work in the U.S. Army from '67 to '71, with Benning School for Boys followed by AFNE and then AFVN. I was due for an Army assignment, and chose to get out mid-71. That was followed by a checkered career in pro sports and the media: AP in Columbus and NYC, the Cosmos and NASL, Baseball Commissioner's Office, Chicago White Sox and the PGA Tour. The latter was kind of my salvation. My first marriage ended in Chicago after 23 years and two children. NE Florida gave me 12 years at the Tour and 10 years with a "mom and pop" paper, the Beaches Leader. My second wife and high school classmate retired me from the Leader in 2012. I lost her to lung cancer in 2017. She never smoked. Life does go on....

From: Bob Morecook

Date: April 7, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Hi Frank Sadly I aged out of the Texas State Guard three years ago, but I was honored that rather than just being discharged I was transferred to the "Honorary Reserve". (They gave me an ID card which will get me on to Camp Mabry near Austin - but no commissary or other privileges. So I guess I am still a "Texas colonel"). The TXSG is only modestly involved at this time. To the best of my knowledge it is not [at this time] involved in the quarantine of folks from Louisiana or setting up of hospital. Elements of the NG are very active.

Best wishes,

Bob

From: Mike Kumm

Date: April 11, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Hi Ken, et. al.,
Well, from the tip of South Dakota, where I can literally see Iowa and Nebraska, we are doing very well. We have all we need, walk every day, and I'm eating too much. But a Scotch and good cigar every afternoon, (and maybe one in the evening too), keeps me from being too much of a pain in the beloved Janet's backside. God bless you all! Blessed Passover, and Easter, to all!
Mike Kumm

From: Forrest Brandt

Date: April 9, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Hello Chuck! Two Buckeyes in the group! A couple more and we’ll do Script Ohio.
Jim, great news from you. Glad you weathered the storm and that Sachiko is up and about again. Seems odd that the virus jumps from China to Europe, then to the US and them back to Japan.. Be prepared to fight boredom. I think today is my first day of cabin fever and judiging from comments I’m hearing from my fellow Cincinnatians, I’m not alone.
Forrest

From: Ken Kalish

Date: April 5, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Friends:
I know we have lots of lurkers on the list, but perhaps it would be a good idea for us to some kind of check-in. Not necessarily daily, and not necessarily in-depth, but just something we can do to know the pulse of our membership.
Up here in the middle of Minnesota’s Northland, our county has yet to report a case of Covid-19 even though we are surrounded by others that have reported cases. St. Louis County, where Jean Leroy lives, has several reported cases. Most of the Minnesota cases are in nursing homes and prisons so far.
We have something of an unusual family situation. My daughter had emergency surgery two weeks ago on a Saturday morning. She’s dealing with a lot of restrictions that make our house the perfect place for her to be. Her son is here, too, occasionally practicing his tuba and scaring off any brave squirrels that have so far outrun our dog, Arrow. My son has been going through a lot of mental issues and his doctors said it might be nice for him to get away, so he will be here Tuesday to dwell for a week or so in our camper. We are being handwashing freaks and wear masks away from the farm. We are all well.
With Spring here, the llama poo has become redolent, luring Arrow out for the occasional manure bath.
We rehomed a llama yesterday, a huge 6’8” boy who is going to an alpaca farm in Duluth as a herd guard. The folks who came for him brought their alpaca trailer which has a 4’6” roof. Poor Simon was all scrunched up in there until the trailer began to move at which point he, like all camelids in trailers, lay himself down for the trip.
Our snow is almost all gone, showing us the trees our rabbit herd has killed by eating the bark around the part of the tree they could reach – about three feet off the bare ground.
You folks take care, especially those of you in the various hot spots.
Wash your hands! Don’t touch your face! Call for help if the going gets tough, and please, let us know how you and yours are doing.
Ken Kalish
Carma Lama Rescue

From: Jim White

Date: April 8, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Hi,
I left the house about 0815 this morning and went to bring the wife home from the hospital after she had been hospitalized with a broken hip on March 11th. Actually, I woke up at 0400 or so and was afraid to go back to sleep for fear I would oversleep. When I gave Sachiko a table clock to keep at the hospital, I didn't realize it was the only alarm clock we had. Got to Izumigaoka Station a little early so had to wait about 25 minutes for the hospital's bus. She wasn't ready, mainly because when I had taken her some clothes so she could come home I had forgotten to include a pair of pants. She said "goodbye" to her many new (patient) friends, the doctor and the nurses. Evidently no one really believed that she was 93 years old even when they could read her date of birth on her medical record. I also said thanks to everyone. The doctor said she was a real "record" in relation to recovery speed, mostly likely most of it being due to her diligence in walking around, etc., during rehabilitation.
When I got there, I did get a laugh out of those in the nurses station by announcing "I'm here to transfer the prisoner to the state prison." I also had a chuckle of my own when Sachiko introduced me to one of her room mates. The room mate must must have rather poor eye sight, because she peered at me for a second and then pronounced "He looks like a foreigner." I thought that that was really good news.
Paid the rest of the bill which was only another $610. I had figured that since the first three days had cost $227 or about $75 a day, the total of 29 days in the hospital would cost about $2,175. Evidently the first three days were "front-loaded" with X-rays, etc. So, the total cost of only $837 (of which, I should get perhaps 75% back from my military tri-care insurance) was a pleasant surprise. Now, I'm beginning to understand why I live in Japan.
We got back home by 1230 or so. She took my various house repairs (plumbing and electrical) and improvements (hand rails on the stairs, etc.) in stride. Had the usual "fried egg on toast" for lunch. Right now she is out shopping. Due to the virus, I asked her to go into the store, get what she wanted, and then get out again without her usual "looking around just for the heck of it." Also, I told her to be careful and not fall because I didn't want to take her back the same day I had gone to get her.
Now all we have to worry about is the coronavirus. The Tokyo area, the Osaka-Kobe area and the Fukuoka area (southern most island) are under lock down. It isn't looking good.
Hope you are all safe and well.
Jim W

How are You Doing? (Corona Virus Pandemic)

April 2020

From: Robert Wilford

Date: April 5, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Doing just fine here in Atlanta Georgia.

Bob Wilford 1969 to 1970, Saigon, then Dets 3 and 4.

Thanks

From: Brian Wickham

Date: April 6, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

We are holding up well here in NYC, the belly of the beast! Fran has COPD so she stays in. I go out grocery shopping twice a week as we have always done. The store is short on some items and deliveries are cut back but I usually manage to get what I need and have not run out of anything that is part of our normal dining routine. We live in a co-op building that is run very well and they have been wiping down all the surfaces on a regular basis. No one is allowed in the building so all deliveries are met outside the doors. We have a cleaning lady come in every two weeks but when this started I told her to stay home and I pay her what she would normally get. We are getting a lot of sleep and that is something unusual for me! I am also shedding a few pounds which surprised me as I can’t use the gym and haven’t really been doing much exercise. I’m just eating less and enjoying it more. I don’t know of anyone in my extended family ho has caught the virus but I hear some anecdotal stories - my cousin in Ireland was sick in Dec & Jan and he described it as the worst case of flu he ever had. My nephew’s wife had the same experience in North Carolina and said a few of her friends did also. My wife got sick in Oct and it kept coming back, first around Thanksgiving and then again around Christmas.
I worry about two nephews, one my wife’s and one mine, who are EMS officers in the NY Fire Department. They have families yet must be out on the street all the time supervising their EMTs. They really are on the front lines!
Brian Wickham

Group Conversations
N to T

From: Robert Tucker

Date: April 5, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

From the Mebane, NC Det, doing well here and hope everyone else is, too.

Thanks,

Robert Tucker

From: Chuck Adams

Date: April 9, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Sachiko and you are both amazing people, Jim White. I am so glad you have her home again, as I'm sure you are. And I'm intrigued you let Sachiko go shopping by herself. Interesting. Getting to know you and the AFVN Group has proven to be a lot of fun, after all my years with the AFNE folks, members of my OCS class (OC-504-68 at Benning) and my 1961 high school class, all of whom I've stayed in close contact with lo' these many years. And you'll notice I haven't even mentioned THE Ohio State University yet. I've enjoyed reading what so many AFVNers have to offer. Sure wish my wife/high school classmate Nancy were still along for the ride. I lost her a little over three years ago, and will always appreciate the shy of five years of married life we had together. Wish it could have been a lot longer, but... All my best, JW.
Chuck the Buck(eye) Adams

From: Stan Pratt

Date: April 9, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Good Morning All,
Sometimes I feel a little like an interloper an this group. I am Stanton Pratt. I did serve in-country in 1965-66. I was assigned to the Photo Platoon of the 593rd. Signal company at first. Later we were attached to 69th. Signal Bn. My job was mostly to cover combat operations for the 173rd. Abn. and 101st. Abn. Worked out of our lab at Tan Son Nhut and Nha Trang.
I very much enjoy many of the communications from the group and wish all well during this difficult time in our lives and the life of our nation.
Be safe and healthy
Stanton Pratt

NB: By definition, anyone interested in AFVN can not be considered an "interloper." Jim White, Webmaster

Group Conversations
C to G

From: Garry Brill

Date: April 5, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

From San Luis Obispo,ca....doing well. Recorded out 1st death which was a 60 year old man with health issues. Personally speaking, I do an oldies radio show Saturday night on a local station. I have 15 sponsors on the show, well, I did have, we lost 5......considering the situation, guess I can’t complain.
GarryB

From: Frank Rogers

Date: April 6, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Hi All, No Daily Appeal is another reason to delay the day. San Diego is not hard hit. Fortunately for us but unfortunately for her our daughter is stuck here. She was working in US when all this began and has been a big help in the house & with limited shopping, but can’t fly back to her hubby in Denmark. He’s still traveling all over that country & working. We did not get to our normal winter residence in Bataan which is very restricted. A barangay (community) permit is needed to cross boundaries manned by police & military, & going out is certain days by area. Sister-in-law & niece at assisted living near Atlanta tested negative but some residents were positive & moved to hospital. In San Diego we can only get doctor visits by phone right now but already have military & civilian hospital appts starting May 3. In the meantime, “She” gives her opinion on how to survive my severe body-wide pain, said to be arthritis, that came on suddenly in late January. Local USMC Exchange pharmacy 4 miles away where I get refills is closed. Looking forward to getting back to simple things out of d house. No strength to set up the BBQ, so you’d have that task if U came here.

FrankR

AFVN Home

From: Frank Rogers

Date: April 9, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Hi Jim W,
Great Sachiko is home and not slowing down. I note you couldn’t go shopping with her. Maybe too sleepy from the early start of the day. Daughter just got back from picking up my new medicine because on top of diabetes I now have PMR… (no not PMS) Poly Myalgia Rheumatica. These medications not compatible, so, complications. And just got call chest X-ray shows beginning pneumonia symptoms in bottom left lung, so daughter going to get antibiotics. The hits just keep on coming. Some time I’ll relate my Philippine hospital stay and difficulty getting part back from TRICARE.

Yoroshiku.
FrankR

Frank. I don't go shopping with the wife very often because with my bad knees she walks faster than I do. Jim W

From: Frank Rogers

Date: April 6, 2020

Subject: How are you doing?

Just noticed Texas is quarantining arrivals from Louisiana and setting up hospitals. I wonder if Dr Bob & Texas State Guard are involved in this situation.

FrankR