Home Contact AFVN Past Contacts AFVN Roster POWS: The Honored Taps: Those Departed AFVN Organization AFVN Reunions
AFVN History AFVN Photos & Stories AFVN Group Conversations Audio Archives Video Archives AFVN Guest Book
Project Jenny KLIK - 1st Inf Di v Women in Vietnam RELATED-- To AFVN To Saigon To Vietnam Further Afield Index
From: Ken Gilder
Dated: February 11, 2021
Subject: Joe C.
Joe is good people. May he have faith in his medical team, and his God, and quickly recover from whatever ails him. As my docs told me when I was on active duty, "Take two tablespoons of Turpin Hydrate and Codeine Elixir, and call me in the morning." (That stuff would grow hair on bowling balls)
From: Walt Christiansen
Dated: February 12, 2021
Subject: Joe C.
Mike...
You have expressed our sentiments so very well. We leave JOE in the Lords hands.
Walt
AFVN Group Conversations
From: Ken Kalish
Dated: February 11, 2021
Subject: Joe C.
Friends, Joe is not doing well. He has begun eating very little and is visibly weaker. A mutual friend says he’s been telling Joe to eat, even if he’s served buzzard puke, but he’s having little sway over Joe’s lack of interest.
Ken Kalish
From: Frank Rogers
Dated: March 4, 2021
Subject: Not good
So sad to hear. Glad I got to see him at nursing facility, along with Mary & Lisa, in 2019, I believe.
FrankR
From: Ken Kalish
Dated: March 4, 2021
Subject: Not Good
This is Joe C's status as of yesterday.
Subject: NOT GOOD
Just returned from San Diego,
Joe has taken a turn for the worse. Is in hospice. Extremely weak. Cannot speak. For a short moment he recognized me. Let me know how he felt about me, without words. And waved to me as if saying goodbye.
Not sure when, but it will be sooner rather than later. Sliding fast.
Ken
From: Ron Hesketh
Dated: February 15, 2021
Subject: Joe C.
I will always remember our reunion in San Diego & he was the most gracious host. I can never forget the Marine graduation and especially the Midway.
Ron
Joe Ciokon - Messages before and after his Death
September 2020 - March 2021
From: Ken Gilder
Dated: February 14, 2021
Subject: Joe C.
Several years back, Joe and I, along with his lovely wife, had dinner together in the township of Cranberry, PA, north of Pittsburgh. A gentleman in every sense of the word. A privilege to meet and know him.
Ken G
From: Ron Hesketh
Dated: March 4, 2021
Subject: Not Good
This is vary sad news. God bless.
Ron
From: Randy Kafka
Dated: February 12, 2021
Subject: Joe C.
Mike,
Spot on. Tks,
Randy
From: Dick Ellis
Dated: March 4, 2021
Subject: Not Good
Double Damn!
From: Bob Morecook
Dated: March 4, 2021
Subject: Sad News -- Joe Ciokon
Hi all I have just read at a Facebook site that Joe Ciokon is gone. RIP Joe Good guy
Bob M
From: Bob Morecook
Dated: February 12, 2021
Subject: Hang in there Joe C
Joe Hang in there if you can. If you go, you go with the love of your friends who will tenderly bear memories of you till our last days.
Bob M
From: Ken Gilder
Dated: March 4, 2021
Subject: Not Good
Thoughts and prayers for a good, gentle man. May he be granted the miracle of recovery.
Ken G.
From: Guy Slater
Dated: March 4, 2021
Subject: Not Good
Go when you must, Joe. And go in peace.
Guy
From: Ken Kalish
Dated: September 24, 2020
Subject: Joe C Visit Report
This arrived in my inbox this morning. I’ll share these when they arrive and are suitable for public distribution:
Returned from San Diego after visiting Joe. He is doing well. Still required to only communicate thru a screened window. Joe seems well and is adjusted to his environment. His voice is still at a very low volume. And is quite stingy with his words. But his voice may be low volume but is entirely clear. His mind appears totally whole and as sharp as ever.
My only frustration is that all our lives we have been casting faux insults at each other, but now, he does not shoot back. He has no longer called me the words he used to. His most favorite pet names for me, dumbass and shithead. He now, instead of defending himself, he just looks at me. As in, 'keep it up, when I decide, I will make you pay'. Oh, crap.
All is well with Joe. The image of him when he was right on the edge, still haunts me. Seeing him now is such a real great feeling. Between all of us, Lisa, Ramon, Joe Jr. and I, teasing him, we actually made him laugh at least two or three times. Mary tries real hard to defend him but our gang of four show little mercy sometimes. A good time was had by all.
Ken Kalish
From: Randy Kafka
Dated: March 4, 2021
Subject: Not Good
Damn.
Randy
From: Mike Kumm
Dated: February 12, 2021
Subject: Joe C.
Prayers ascend for a true friend and man of God. It sounds like Joe is tired of the fight.
Lord God, into Your hands we commend our friend and brother in arms, Joe, his body and soul and all things. Let Your holy angel be with him, that the evil foe may have no power over him. Amen.
From: Tim Abney
Dated: February 14, 2021
Subject: Joe C.
I want to remember Joe as he was the last time I saw him.
From: Walt Christiansen
Dated: February 12, 2021
Subject: Joe C.
Amen!
Our prayers continue to be with JOE in this very difficult time. Truly the next steps are in the hands of God