Twenty years ago I was one of the early members of a small group of Vietnam Veterans that had a fire inside to do something in Illinois for the remembrance of Vietnam Veterans. At that time I was Assistant Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans and had coordinated the state of Illinois participation in the National Vietnam Memorial in Washington D.C. It inspired two Illinois Vietnam War veterans, Richard Stahl and Mike Ferguson to have an Illinois memorial honoring the state’s Vietnam War causalities. It was when I met Mike that the fire was ignited in me. The Illinois Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Committee was created to raise the $1.25 million needed to construct the Memorial. No one knew how to raise that much money, especially with a goal to raise it from private rather government sources.
My wife and I left on a trip to see America, for almost two years we traveled the country. But before I left I got Governor Thompson involved in the effort to build the Memorial. His presence and belief in the need for the Memorial was a driving force to acquire the funds. The Memorial was dedicated on May 7, 1988 as a permanent state memorial under the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency.
Inscribed on the five walls representing the five branches of services are the names of those who died or are still missing. An eternal flame burns atop the Memorial. The inscription on the outer walls reads: To Those Who Died Honor and Eternal Rest, To those Still in Bondage Remembrance and Hope, and To Those Who Returned Gratitude and Peace.
The Veterans Memorial Vigil, Inc. holds an Annual 24-hour Vigil and Remembrance ceremony that honors those who died, who are still unaccounted for, and those who honorably served their country.
This 20 year remembrance event welcomes Vietnam Veterans home and thanks them for their service to the country. The official ceremony starts at 11:00 a.m. on May 3rd with speakers, laying of Wreaths, passing of the torch, and ending with a P.O.W ceremony. Sunday May 4th the ceremony continues with the final watch of the 24 hour Vigil and closing at 1:00 p.m. with a rifle salute, taps and flag-raising.
If you are in Illinois on these days join the many that will be showing their gratitude for those who served their country in Vietnam, welcoming them home and giving thanks for their service.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
My day on a National Guard KC-135 Stratotanker
April 18, 2008 I took a plane ride. Not the usual commercial flight from point A to point B. It was on a National Guard KC-135 a Stratotanker, whose principal mission is air refueling. It also provides aerial refueling support to Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps aircraft as well as aircraft of allied nations. It is a big plane, based on the same basic design for the commercial 707 passenger plane.
I was honored to be one of the community members invited to participate in this experience, a Diversity Orientation Flight put on by the Air National Guard’s 183rd Fighter Wing. We attended a morning presentation led by Colonel Michael Meyer, Commander of the Fighter Wing, about the 183rd roles and missions in the Air National Guard. After the morning presentation and a brief tour we boarded a KC-135 from the 126th Air Refueling Wing to observe F-16 Fighting Falcons refueling in the air.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a highly maneuverable, single pilot, compact, multi-role fighter aircraft used in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. Seeing one take off, get a few feet off the ground, hit its afterburner and disappear into the sky is an amazing sight. We had the chance to see the cockpit and walk around some parked F-16s. It is an electronic marvel. Electrical wires relay commands, replacing the usual cables and linkage controls. A side stick controller is used instead of the conventional center-mounted stick. Hand pressure on the side stick controller sends electrical signals to actuators of flight control surfaces such as ailerons and rudder. It is a tight fit for pilots. It was clear to me that a seven foot person could not fit in the cockpit. Also, it took a lot of skill to listen to the radio, watch the various instruments in front of you and fly the plane.
The KC-135 four turbofans, mounted under 35-degree swept wings made a smooth take off and climbing to it operational altitude quickly. The KC-135 is equipped with a flying boom for fuel transfer. The boom operator lies on his stomach peering out of small windows operating the boom with small joy sticks. I shared the view, lying next to the boom operator. All I can say is what a ride, what a view watching the F-16 come up to the boom. The jets come up to about 10 feet to the underbelly of the KC-135 and boom is extended, connecting to the jet and the fuel transfer begins. The KC-135 pilots maintain a speed of about 535 miles per hour during the refueling.
Back on the ground we had a chance to fly in an F-16 simulator where you could crash a couple of times and walk away to try again. The whole day was a great and different experience and I thank the Air National Guard’s 183rd Fighter Wing for it. Though I am an old Vietnam Veteran, I felt a common bond with these young military men and women who are now serving their country.
I was honored to be one of the community members invited to participate in this experience, a Diversity Orientation Flight put on by the Air National Guard’s 183rd Fighter Wing. We attended a morning presentation led by Colonel Michael Meyer, Commander of the Fighter Wing, about the 183rd roles and missions in the Air National Guard. After the morning presentation and a brief tour we boarded a KC-135 from the 126th Air Refueling Wing to observe F-16 Fighting Falcons refueling in the air.
The F-16 Fighting Falcon is a highly maneuverable, single pilot, compact, multi-role fighter aircraft used in air-to-air combat and air-to-surface attack. Seeing one take off, get a few feet off the ground, hit its afterburner and disappear into the sky is an amazing sight. We had the chance to see the cockpit and walk around some parked F-16s. It is an electronic marvel. Electrical wires relay commands, replacing the usual cables and linkage controls. A side stick controller is used instead of the conventional center-mounted stick. Hand pressure on the side stick controller sends electrical signals to actuators of flight control surfaces such as ailerons and rudder. It is a tight fit for pilots. It was clear to me that a seven foot person could not fit in the cockpit. Also, it took a lot of skill to listen to the radio, watch the various instruments in front of you and fly the plane.
The KC-135 four turbofans, mounted under 35-degree swept wings made a smooth take off and climbing to it operational altitude quickly. The KC-135 is equipped with a flying boom for fuel transfer. The boom operator lies on his stomach peering out of small windows operating the boom with small joy sticks. I shared the view, lying next to the boom operator. All I can say is what a ride, what a view watching the F-16 come up to the boom. The jets come up to about 10 feet to the underbelly of the KC-135 and boom is extended, connecting to the jet and the fuel transfer begins. The KC-135 pilots maintain a speed of about 535 miles per hour during the refueling.
Back on the ground we had a chance to fly in an F-16 simulator where you could crash a couple of times and walk away to try again. The whole day was a great and different experience and I thank the Air National Guard’s 183rd Fighter Wing for it. Though I am an old Vietnam Veteran, I felt a common bond with these young military men and women who are now serving their country.
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Aerial refueling flight
The Illinois National Guard has invited me on board a KC-135 Stratotanker while it refuels a F-16 Fighting Falcon. WOW. It promises to be an exciting mission and I am look forward to it.
As I read the orientation flight guidance sheet a few things caught my attention. Everyone receives a pre-flight briefing in order to fly on a military aircraft. When I was in the military I was on a lot of different planes, never had a pre-flight briefing. In order to experience a refueling, they say you will be lying on your stomach in the rear of the aircraft. The only time I laid down in an aircraft was on Choppers taking fire in Vietnam. The aircraft is very loud and they will provide earplugs. I found it interesting the under the section "What to leave behind" was the statement: Firearms are not permitted on Federal military installations or on military aircraft. I have found that when you see an statement like that it probably means someone tried to bring a gun on board. Wonder what they were thinking?
Under "Sickness/injury section" head cold or sinus problems could result in serious head injuries during pressurization of the aircraft (this is not a commercial aircraft designed for passenger comfort). I have never been on commercial plane that refueled another plane, fair is fair.
Under the section "Operation of equipment" in bold capital letters: YOU ARE PROHIBITED FROM OPERATING ANY MILITARY EQUIPMENT ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT. Wonder why they had to state that so forcibly? I had visions of someone saying they always wanted to fly a really big plane or push the buttons to lower the fuel boom to refuel a F-16, even though they never had a flying lesson or plane refueling training. I am glad they will not let us because I know I would not have any idea of what to do. I only know for sure you can't stay in the sky forever and how you get back on the ground is very important.
Not everyone gets the chance to be apart of such an event I am looking forward to it and will share my experiences with you when I get back on the ground.
As I read the orientation flight guidance sheet a few things caught my attention. Everyone receives a pre-flight briefing in order to fly on a military aircraft. When I was in the military I was on a lot of different planes, never had a pre-flight briefing. In order to experience a refueling, they say you will be lying on your stomach in the rear of the aircraft. The only time I laid down in an aircraft was on Choppers taking fire in Vietnam. The aircraft is very loud and they will provide earplugs. I found it interesting the under the section "What to leave behind" was the statement: Firearms are not permitted on Federal military installations or on military aircraft. I have found that when you see an statement like that it probably means someone tried to bring a gun on board. Wonder what they were thinking?
Under "Sickness/injury section" head cold or sinus problems could result in serious head injuries during pressurization of the aircraft (this is not a commercial aircraft designed for passenger comfort). I have never been on commercial plane that refueled another plane, fair is fair.
Under the section "Operation of equipment" in bold capital letters: YOU ARE PROHIBITED FROM OPERATING ANY MILITARY EQUIPMENT ON BOARD THE AIRCRAFT. Wonder why they had to state that so forcibly? I had visions of someone saying they always wanted to fly a really big plane or push the buttons to lower the fuel boom to refuel a F-16, even though they never had a flying lesson or plane refueling training. I am glad they will not let us because I know I would not have any idea of what to do. I only know for sure you can't stay in the sky forever and how you get back on the ground is very important.
Not everyone gets the chance to be apart of such an event I am looking forward to it and will share my experiences with you when I get back on the ground.
Peoria Illinois Book Signing
Peoria Heights, IL—Two authors, two wars, two perspectives. I Know You Like A Book presents two historical fiction authors for its next Local Author book signing event on Saturday, April 19th at 2:00 p.m. Brooks Carver of Canton and Thomas Jones of Springfield both explore the effects of war on the American soldier.
Carver’s first book, “The Angels’ Share” is set in the reconstruction period after the Civil War. The story follows Jack Grady, his son, and two other veterans as they make an epic journey across the war-torn South. The novel won the Bronze Medal for historical fiction in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year competition in 2004. Carver’s second novel, “Give My Love to Ivy Rose” tells the story of the grandchildren of “The Angels’ Share” hero. Both books will be available at the book signing.
Jones took his experiences as a Marine in the Vietnam War and crafted his novel, “Lost Survivor: The Novel of a Black Soldier’s Journey to Vietnam and Back”. The premise of the story is that one of the hardest lessons for a soldier is to realize that past experiences are not valid during combat, and what is lost, in order to survive, is what is needed to live. Tom and Lost Survivor have been featured by Illinois State Library Authors Book Fair and his book placed in the Illinois Authors Collection at the IL State Library, Gwendolyn Brooks Building
An articulate and engaging speaker, Tom shares his particular war experiences of the survival journey required by the return to civilian life plus anecdotes garnered from his work as a counselor to other veterans and their families. For Street-Wise, Newspaper of Chicago, he wrote a requested article entitled, “What does America owe its veterans?”
I Know You Like A Book, 4707 Prospect Road, Peoria Heights, IL hosts Local Author Book Signing Event, Saturday, April 19th, 2:00 to 6:00 pm. Mary Beth Nebel, Owner (309) 685-2665.
Carver’s first book, “The Angels’ Share” is set in the reconstruction period after the Civil War. The story follows Jack Grady, his son, and two other veterans as they make an epic journey across the war-torn South. The novel won the Bronze Medal for historical fiction in the ForeWord Magazine Book of the Year competition in 2004. Carver’s second novel, “Give My Love to Ivy Rose” tells the story of the grandchildren of “The Angels’ Share” hero. Both books will be available at the book signing.
Jones took his experiences as a Marine in the Vietnam War and crafted his novel, “Lost Survivor: The Novel of a Black Soldier’s Journey to Vietnam and Back”. The premise of the story is that one of the hardest lessons for a soldier is to realize that past experiences are not valid during combat, and what is lost, in order to survive, is what is needed to live. Tom and Lost Survivor have been featured by Illinois State Library Authors Book Fair and his book placed in the Illinois Authors Collection at the IL State Library, Gwendolyn Brooks Building
An articulate and engaging speaker, Tom shares his particular war experiences of the survival journey required by the return to civilian life plus anecdotes garnered from his work as a counselor to other veterans and their families. For Street-Wise, Newspaper of Chicago, he wrote a requested article entitled, “What does America owe its veterans?”
I Know You Like A Book, 4707 Prospect Road, Peoria Heights, IL hosts Local Author Book Signing Event, Saturday, April 19th, 2:00 to 6:00 pm. Mary Beth Nebel, Owner (309) 685-2665.
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