34- CIB Meetings, Vietnam Movies and National Convention [16:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the H21 Southern Branch, Austin Chapter of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we summarize the topics discussed at the chapter meeting on Saturday, 8 August 2009.

Among the topics discussed were:

1.  Upcoming meetings –both Chapter meetings, as well as the Joint meetings with the 82nd Airborne Division Association in San Antonio.

2.  The database of the membership;

3.  Upcoming Movies now in pre-production: Jungle Warriors and The Alvarez Vietnam Story.

4.  The upcoming Combat Infantrymen’s Association National Convention in Branson, Missouri.

As you will hear in this audio episode, the next meeting will be held on Saturday, 12 September 2009, at the VFW Post 8787 (located on VFW Road, just off the access road Northbound on Interstate 35, just north of the Braker Lane exit).

Please contact Tony Martinez, the Finance Officer, to verify your information for the membership database that we wish to deliver to the group by Saturday, 12 Sept 2009.

And lastly, we will continue with interviews of other CIB recipients — especially from Korea, Afghanistan and Iraq. We will also try to have another World War II veteran, as well.

Stay tuned and see which veteran will be sharing his experiences and perspectives about the CIB in the near future.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

 

 33- Seeking ways to help combat veteran with treatment- Interview with Gayle Temkin [19:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the Southern Branch, H21, Austin Chapter, of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we bring you an excerpt from an interview that we had with Gayle Temkin, who has over 30 years experience in treatment of physical and cognitive issues.

In this informal discussion, Gayle seeks for ways to help the Combat Veteran with experiential treatment–either by trying to get a funding grant that would support the combat veteran audience, or by recommending to organizations (such as the VA) the type of treatments needed for veterans still suffering from the aftermath of combat.

From this audio episode, it is interesting to note that many people — even the professionals who provide healing treatment for others — have a difficult time in trying to understand the plight, the suffering, the symptoms and the actual episodes that the veterans suffer. The textbook-type treatments have proven somewhat ineffective when dealing with actual Vietnam Combat Veterans.

How true is that addage: “if you haven’t been in combat, then you can’t be expected to really understand.”

Gayle’s practice has given her a wealth of experience from which to draw, and her recommendations are such that the VA should note.

In addition to her therapy practice for over 30 years, she is also trying to advance her Coalition for Emotional Literacy.

However, unless the formal organizations receive either grant funding from this administration; or unless the VA seeks to really help the Vietnam Veterans (and not just “set them aside” because they have to make room for those returning from SouthWest Asia during this present conflict), then these types of treatment alteranatives that can really help veterans may fall on deaf ears.

However, it is great to realize that there are those individuals who really do care about the appropriate treatment that should be given to the veterans who are suffering from PTSD and other symptoms, so that they can have a chance to improve their constant adjustment to the “World” upon their return from their tours of combat or improve their quality of life after suffering for over 30 to 40 years.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

 

 32- Americal Combat Infantrymen and the CCB [13:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the Southern Chapter H21, Austin, Texas, of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we reflect on a reunion of Combat Infantrymen from the Vietnam War who served in the 23rd Infantry Division – Americal. This reunion was held in Bossier City, Louisiana, and hosted by the Americal Division Veterans Association.

During this event, we had the opportunity to witness a ceremony called the CORDON OF SWORDS. This is a ceremony where the detail honor guard extend their sabres, thus forming an arch, above the heads of those honored guests, who will pass underneath the series of arches of sabres or swords. This honor was given to the 8 attending World War II combat veterans of the Americal Division who served in the Pacific, especially Guadalcanal and New Caledonia (where the name “Americal” came from).

I had the chance to collaborate with other comrades-in-arms from the Vietnam War. And during the general meeting of the Association, I made a presentation of a copy of the audio narration of the book, Jungle Warriors, by  Bobby Briscoe, to Michelle, the past nurse who served in Vietnam. It was in memory of 1st Lt. Sharon Ann Lane, the only female killed in Vietnam as a result of hostile action.

This led others later in the day to discuss the role of the CIB (Combat Infantryman’s Badge) and the newly authorized and issued CCB (Close Combat Badge):

You can find out more about the CCB at the web site given, above.

As I mention during this brief audio podcast, we will be trying to contact and have an interview with Major Davis, a combat veteran of the Korean War. Not only did he earn his CIB during the Korean Conflict, but he was also an airborne infantryman that served with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team unit and made 2 combat jumps.

Also, a highlight of the Reunion was the display of two Huey UH helicopters (one a gunship and the other a UH-1D troop and supply carrier). These were brought and shown during the reunion, courtesy of Chuck Carlock and Ron Seabolt, who is the National Director of the 71st Assault Helicopter Company Association– the FirerBirds and the Rattlers.

And finally, we will be discussing the CCB a bit more in our future episodes of the CIB podcast series, so that our listeners will be aware of the fine differences and how these badges are being awarded today.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

 

 31- Mobile Liberty Bell honors those who fell in Combat- David Hall [7:32m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the H21 Southern Branch, Austin, Texas chapter of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we interview David Hall, a volunteer who drives the country’s only mobile replica of the Liberty Bell that is currently housed in Philadelphia.

David Hall was at the unveiling and dedication ceremony of the permanent replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Mineral Wells, Texas, on 30 May 2009. He preceded the ceremony of the unveiling by giving the entire crowd and audience a solemn and serious remembrance when he rang the bell 70 times.

As you will hear in this audio episode, David rang the bell 70 times–one time for each panel of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, where the 58,260 names of those killed in combat are engraved. We have also included a sample of the bell ringing  seven (7) times, with the special significance as explained by David himself in this podcast episode.

In addition to the bell, the mobile exhibit includes a stone monument replica on either end of the Liberty Bell of the Ten Commandments. David explains why this is significant in honoring those who fell to save our laws and country.

The website for this mobile monument is http://www.proclaimliberty.us/wordpress/ and it gives us not only the pictures of the Travelling Bell, but also:

- a History of the original Liberty Bell of the 1750’s;

- a History of this mobile Liberty Bell; and

- a chance for you to ring the bell yourself online– by just moving your mouse over the icon of the bell and clicking it.

We would like to thank David Hall for his patriotism and dedication to honor all those who had to make the ultimate sacrifice to defend the laws of the U.S. It is interesting and fitting to note that David’s brother is a Vietnam Veteran, and that he, himself, is of the Vietnam era.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights reserved.

 

 30- Replica of Vietnam Veterans Wall memorial- interview with Joe Galloway [8:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Over 58,260 names are engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. However, they are NOT just in Washington, D.C. or in the Moving and travelling WALLS that go from location-to-location in the US. Those names rest PERMANENTLY in an exact replica of the original Vietnam Veterans Memorial WALL found in Washington, D.C.

This replica is located in Mineral Wells, Texas, at the National Vietnam War Musuem gardens. And on Saturday, 30 May 2009, the dedication ceremony and the unveiling of the Memorial Wall took place.

The highlights of the event saw the following:

- A real, live UH-1 Huey Vietnam-era (“slick”) helicopter arrived, landed, and then took off with several passengers from the audience. It made several take-offs and landings after the ceremony–one of which you will hear during the interview in this audio episode.

- Dana Bowman, parachute onto the grounds after skydiving from his jump from a helicopter. What is amazing is that Dana–a prior Special Forces Soldier and a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division, as well as member of the U.S. Army’s elite GOLDEN KNIGHTS parachute team–lost both of his legs in a mid-air collision in 1994. However, with the artificial limbs, he still hit the target drop zone near the audience to begin the ceremony.

- The guest speaker was Joe Galloway, the author of the book, We Were Soldiers Once…and Young. Ia Drang–the Battle that Changed the War in Vietnam. This book later became a motion picture of the same title, starring Mel Gibson in 2002:

As you will hear in this audio podcast, we did get a chance to interview Joe Galloway after the ceremony.

- The ringing of the travelling and mobile Liberty Bell replica–a fitting mobile memorial dedicated to all those soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that have fallen in the line of duty.

- And finally, the unveiling of the replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, with all 58,260 names engraved.  This Wall is in the location of what is called the “Museum Gardens,” as the landscaping will add to the honor and respect for this solemn memorial.

After the ceremony, we had a chance to speak with Joe Galloway and get his perspectives of the dedication of this monument. Amidst the background sounds of the “chop-chop” turning of the Huey’s rotor blades (a sound you will NEVER forget), Joe explains to us in this audio interview how much he honors the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, and what an honor it is to have earned it.

Now, although Joe was a civilian and correspondent during the Vietnam War, he is the ONLY civilian to have been awarded the Bronze Star, with “V” for VALOR, for what he did during the battle of Ia Drang in saving a soldier’s life. But you will hear him, as he states that the medal he most wishes that he could have is the CIB.

Joe is a noted author, now with the follow-on book, We Were Soldiers Still: A Journey Back to the Battlefields of Vietnam. He is also a public speaker at major events, as well as a supporter of the troops. His support and fervor agrees with the motto portrayed by the association of the Vietnam Veterans of America: “Never again shall one generation of Veterans abandon another.”

Our tribute to Mr. Galloway is to proclaim Joe’s mantra: “Hate War…but love the warrior.”

Thank you, Joe, for your service and for your support of the combat infantrymen–especially to those who have fallen.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

 

 29- Memorial Day ceremony honors fallen Combat Infantrymen [6:38m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

To those who gave “their last full measure of devotion” and placed themselves in harm’s way to fight our enemies–but whose lives were taken away by the hostile actions of our enemies–we pay them tribute, along with those who did survive and came back home alive. We did this as a team on Memorial Day, 25 May 2009, at the Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville, Texas, during the Memorial Day Celebration ceremony.

In this audio episode of the Southern Chapter H21, Austin, Texas group of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we briefly summarize the events of this ceremony, in which we especially give honor to the fallen combat infantrymen who earned their CIBs–even though many of them would never live to be recognized for their service, or to receive it.

In this ceremony, a surprising element–which ended up being a nice coincidence–was that the politicians usually invited to attend and read their proclamations and give their speeches–were not in attendance (there was a type of “filibuster” raging on the Texas State Representatives floor at the time).

But this led to the total time of the hundreds who had gathered there to be more meaningful, as the entire content of the day was dedicated to those who had fallen.

Amidst the memorial services, the placing of the wreaths in front of a pair of jungle boots, helmet and rifle staked in the ground with a bayonet (i.e., symbol of a fallen infantryman) marked the highlight of the day.

The Combat Infantrymen’s Association, H21 Southern Chapter in Austin, Texas–led by Commander Bobby Briscoe–marched together in uniform and solemn seriousness to place the wreath of the CIB Association in honor of those who died. With Bobby Briscoe were Howard Cooper, John Torres and Tony Martinez.

In addition, two of the CIB members (Fred Castaneda and newest member, Duane Williams) were participating on behalf of their beloved 82nd Airborne Division Association. Both had been paratroopers during their active duty with the 82nd Airborne Division (also: you may remember that Duane Williams earned his CIB by being one of those who made a nighttime parachute combat jump into Panama). Along with their fellow paratrooper, Matt Rayson, Duane and Fred placed the wreath of the 82nd Airborne Division Association during the ceremony (by the way, the inscription on the wreath lists the number of KIA, MIA and WIA casualties for all 92 airborne operations over 65 years in all the conflicts since WWII).

It is also fitting that the musical piece Taps end this podcast, as it followed the release of the doves and the 21-gun salute given by the Travis County Council VFW Honor Guard at the ceremony.

For those who died in their military service to the U.S. , we salute them and grieve with their families–for we will never forget that this is, indeed, the ultimate sacrifice. . .a sacrifice from which we, the living, benefit.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

 

 28- Joint Meeting of 82nd Abn Div and CIB Assoc, Austin [18:50m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

On 9 May 2009, the two associations gathered in Austin for a joint meeting of the 82nd Airborne Division Association (Alamo Chapter, San Antonio, Texas) and the Combat Infantrymen’s Association (H21 Southern Chapter, Austin, Texas).

The meeting was special because it centered around the annual memorial service usually celebrated at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, at the 82nd Airborne Division Museum, around the monument with the bronzed jungle boots, rifle and helmet to honor those 82nd Airborne paratroopers who died in the Vietnam War, as they were part of the “Golden Brigade.” Ordinarily, this ceremony would take place during what is called “All-American Week” at Fort Bragg. But, because of the deployment of the 82nd Airborne Division in the Middle East, the veterans’ participation during All-American Week was cancelled.

Thus, we took it upon ourselves to perform this ceremony (called the “82nd Airborne Division All American Memorial Ceremony”) at the joint meeting. The crux of the ceremony is to remember each conflict in which the 82nd Airborne Division participated.

Since its activation in 1917 at Camp Gordon, Georgia, the 82nd Airborne participated in the following campaigns, and we had the following attendees at the meeting carry the photo of the campaign and render the memorial salute to those who gave their lives in the campaign:

- World War I – Gabe Garcia honored Alvin C. York, the hero of WWI, a member of the 82nd Infantry Division, for the heroic day of October 18, 1918, in the Muesse-Argonne offensive. A photo of Sergeant York was placed next to the 82nd Airborne Division wreath.

- Word War II - Matt Rayson was in the World War II D-Day airborne combat jump uniform and equipment, to honor General James Gavin, the WWII Division Commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, as well as the vets of World War II. He was accompanied by Darrell G. Harris, the WWII combat veteran of the European campaign (and author of the book Casablanca to VE-Day: A Paratrooper’s Memoirs), and Howard from the CIB Association, the WWII combat veteran of the Pacific Campaign in the Philippines with the 25th Infantry Division. The photo was a modern re-enactor boarding the C-47 for the D-Day parachute drop.

- Vietnam – Fred Castaneda was dressed in his original Vietnam jungle fatigues, with weapons and LBE,  flanked by Bobby Briscoe and Tony Martinez of the CIB Association. All 3 were veterans of the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal) and served in Vietnam in combat. They honored the 82nd Airborne Division Golden Brigade with the photo of the Huey helicopter air-mobility of the war.

- Grenada – We had an Air Force veteran, Airborne-qualified with nearly 100 parachute jumps, place the photo of the first 2 KIAs in Grenada, from B Company, 2nd Bn, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. The photo was of the Kevlar helmets placed on  the rifle butts which were staked in the ground with their bayonets along the Grenada coastline. This was the reminder of Operation Urgent Fury.

- Panama – We had Duane Williams place the photo of the 82nd Armour support in Panama. Duane was dressed in the woodland BDUs, with equipment and weapon–for Duane actually participated and made the combat parachute jump at night into Panama in Operation Just Cause.

- Desert Storm – We had Joe Franco of the 82nd Airborne Division Association place a photo of a combat infantryman of the 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment in Kuwait/Iraq next to the wreath of the “double-A.”

- Afghanistan and Iraq – We had John Trevino and Fred Castaneda stand in for our local hero, Alan Babin, and place a photo of an airborne officer saluting those who have fallen in Operation Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

- ‘WHEN YOU JUMP, IT’S JUST YOU…’ was the motto of the poster that signified the recruitment for the 82nd Airborne Division yesterday and today. This 1972 poster was carried by John Peed, the commander of the 82nd Airborne Division, Alamo Chapter, to signify that our traditions of never forgetting those who have fallen will be carried on by our future recruits and members of the associations.

After the ceremony, the group listened to the presentation from Fred Castaneda (filling in for Clint Riddell of the Austin Texas Veterans’ Commission) as he handed out literature and details about veterans’ rights, claims, benefits for education and employment, etc., for the State of Texas. Predominant in the conversation was the Hazlewood Act, which provides free college tuition for veterans who enlisted in the State of Texas.

Then the meeting wrapped up as each association conducted its monthly old business and new business –including events– with the update from the officers.

With the food having been provided by the 82nd Airborne Division Association, the meeting was a great success. And look forward to the next joint meeting during the final week of October to be hosted by the 82nd Airborne Division Association chapter on a Saturday in a favorable location in San Antonio. More details will be given at a later date.

The final round of camaraderie had everyone look forward to our next gathering — both in San Antonio and Austin — to honor those who have fallen at the Memorial Day Ceremonies on 25 May 2009.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

 

 27- From a combat jump in Panama to Desert Storm against Iraq- Duane Williams [1:17:22m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the H21 Southern Branch, Austin, Texas, Chapter of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we have an extended interview with a veteran who earned his CIB in one campaign, but then served in another campaign in the following year halfway around the world.

For Duane Williams, earning a CIB as an Airborne Infantryman in the 82nd Airborne Division meant that he went into harm’s way during the night parachute jump under fire in Panama. And just 8 months later, he found himself in the Middle East on the Kuwaiti border with Saudi Arabia. He was one of the 82nd Airborne Division troopers who helped to “draw a line in the Sand” and not allow the invasion of the Iraqi army into Arabia.

The interview is a bit longer than others, but it is because we explore Duane Williams’s pariticipation in both campaigns–

- Operation Just Cause (airborne assault into Panama); and

- Operation Desert Shield / Desert Storm (assault on Iraq to push the forces of Saddam Hussein out of Kuwait).

For the 8 years that Duane spent with the 82nd Airborne Division as a squad leader and airborne infantryman, the real moment of pride, honor, remembrance for those who were KIA or wounded, and accomplishment came with the award of the Combat Infantryman’s Badge after the operation in Panama.

In this audio episode, you will experience the preparedness that Duane Williams felt as he got ready for the deployment. You will feel the fear that went through his mind–just as it has for every combat infantryman–and you will rejoice in the elation of the pride, honor, strength and self-confidence that Duane had after he returned from his mission.

But Duane also goes into detail about his participation in the deserts of Kuwait and Iraq as the 82nd Airborne Division pitted itself agains the 4th largest army in the world at that time–Hussein’s Iraqi armored forces. The “Line in the Sand” that was drawn by the first troops to deploy to Arabia–the 82nd Airborne Division–meant that not one inch of ground would be given up while the rest of the Allied forces arrived by air-landing. This meant the rest of the 82nd Airborne Division, the 101st Airmobile Division, the rest of the Army and the Marines, etc.

As you will listen to Duane recount the story of the assault on Panama, you will realize that this was the last combat parachute jump — and airborne assault– in which the 82nd Airborne Division participated. Duane’s pride and courage are also reflected by the gold star that he wears on the canopy of his parachutist jump wings, which signifies that he participated in a combat parachute jump.

We thank Duane for his service and for being such a great role model today (as a law enforcement officer) for young troopers everywhere that earn their CIB in the campaigns today.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights reserved.

 

 26- Public Sector jobs for Veterans [23:59m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this bonus episode of the Southern Branch, H21, Austin, Texas, Chapter of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we bring a special report to make the combat infantryman veterans aware of a great number of jobs available now and in the near future in the Public Sector–especially the Federal Government.

While attending a Career Fair recently that was open to  the public and to Veterans at the University of Texas, we noted that a great amount of jobs are available at all levels of both public sector and non-profit sector organizations. This ranges from the local, municipal, City, County, State and Federal governments.  In particular, the Federal Government will be back-filling anywhere from 200,000 to 350,000 jobs within the next several years, as the Federal workforce continues its present retirement.

We were able to get several interviews to highlight this environment for those veterans who may not have a job at this time (either due to layoffs, reductions in force, being let go or downsizing from the private sector employers). These Veterans may not be aware of the agencies that are hiring and the required skill sets that are the keys to either part-time or full-time employment.

In addition to 2 interviews with several of the Organizers of this sixth periodic Career Fair at the University of Texas–with Lana Morris and Ronald Pollock–we also include a case-in-point overview from Donnie Banberg from the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration). These should give you a good indication of the environment of the availability of employment in the Public Sector, as well as recommendations, hints and tips for competing for the available jobs as Veterans. In particular, the preference points that are given for Veteran status –as well as disabled Veteran status– can deliver to the Veteran a competitive edge when applying for the targeted job.

Our thanks to Lana Morris (the Career Services Officer and Internship Coordinator for the Office of Student and Alumni Programs at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas) and to Ronald D. Pollock (the Director of Career Services for the School of Information at the University of Texas), as well as Donnie Banberg from the Federal Aviation Administration for their contributions to this episode and their support of combat infantry veterans.

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

 

 25- Don Bailey, an Airborne Combat Infantryman who earned his CIB in Grenada [49:55m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

In this episode of the H21 Southern Branch – Austin, Texas, Chapter of the Combat Infantrymen’s Association, we continue our interview series with soldiers who have earned their CIBs in various campaigns of the 20th Centrury. We are especially fortunate to have interviewed Don W. Bailey, a combat infantryman who was also an AIRBORNE PARATROOPER in the 82nd Airborne Division during his 21 years of service.

Don Bailey participated as a combat infantryman during the Grenada Campaign in 1983- also known as “Operation Urgent Fury.”.

As you will hear in this audio episode, there is a cross-reference to an earlier podcast episode for the CIB (episode 23, earlier) that dealt with the audio version of the VFW Magazine article titled “The Battle for Grenada – the Army Reborn.” In particular, Don Bailey affirms the different types of snafus that occured during the week-long campaign. And that included the communications incompatibility problems, the inter-branch rivalries between different branches of the military, and the lack of sophisticated military intelligence.

However, one thing was certain — the fact that these Airborne Infantrymen from the 82nd Airborne Division (as well as the Ranger Batallion and others who fought in this campaign) went into harm’s way. Case in point– as you can see from the photo below, there were casualties that result from hostile fire from the Cubans, Russian advisors and other enemy in this small island, and, yes, our men did go into harm’s way.

Notice that the first 2 KIAs from the 82nd Airborne during the assault came from B Co. 2nd Batallion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division.

Don Bailey, our interviewee, was in the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He was a team leader that followed his orders, took care of his men and accomplished the mission.

Although this interview is 45 minutes long, it is extremely informative and interesting–from the point of view of a paraticipant combat infantryman. A couple of things you may note from the audio episode–

- The media and press tried to show only the negative side against the US and did not support the mission;

- This was the first time that the 82nd Airborne Division infantry utilized the kevlar helmets, after they had given up their prior steel pot helmtes that were previously used during Vietnam); and

- This was the first time that a combat campaign utilized the Blackhawk helicopters for transporting infantry troops to make contact with sighted enemy: for instance, the 82nd Airborne Infantry soldiers would be transported by helicopter to engage the enemy when sighted on another part of the island.

And finally, Don Bailey also mentions the welcomed support from the local people of Grenada with the 82nd Airborne troops.

For additional material on Operation Urgent Fury (the Grenada campaign), you may wish to refer to episode 23.

All in all, we thank Don Bailey for his service and for his participation in the Battle for Grenada.

Airborne! All the Way!

Copyright (c) 2009, Matrix Solutions Corporation. All Rights reserved.