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January 1 2012
PO Box 55446
St. Petersburg, Fl. 33732-5446
Re-Enlistments: Michael M. Keohane, Stephen Czepiel
Donations: Michael M. Keohane
New Members: None
Change of Address: Bill Spicer Gerald Keenan
2752 E. 54th St. N. 15 Ridge Road
Tulsa, Ok. 74130-1811 Bangor, Pa. 18013-9771
Deceased: LTC Sheldon Kirsner died in May, 2009. He was in the Air Force but had a large collection of Sixth Infantry pins that his widow gave to Jefferson Barracks. He was originally in the Army Air Corps and later served in Berlin. That is probably where his collection started.
Introduction:
Several members have emailed me and want their Emails available for other members.
As of now the list is:
Name Email Address Era
======================== ========================== ==============
Jan Milles janmilles@hotmail.com 'Nam and Berlin
Charles Farrell cturkfarrell@aol.com Berlin '68-69
William Zirkel ziirkel@earthlink.net Berlin '57-59
James Porter ms8x60s@yahoo.com Vietnam '68-69
Gary Kirsten garykirsten@snet.net Berlin '53-55
John Frye JFrye13@tampabay.rr.com Berlin '70-74
CSM Stanley Thornburgh onefive68@yahoo.com Berlin
Charles McDonald cmcd5052@sbcglobal.net Berlin '67-69
CSM Mike Foreman mandbforeman@aol.com
Thomas Lynn lynn9493@bellsouth.net
Don Wilson donniew32@verizon.net Berlin '53-55
James Sim Simj@Comcast.net Berlin '62-63
Lawrence Simonson vikingls36@yahoo.com Berlin '57-60
Lt. Col. Todd Mercer todd-mercer@us.army.mil Germany 87-89
Peter Carroll gmwh@epix.net
Dr. Virgil Likness vlikness@yahoo.com Berlin '55-56
Danny Brosnan dbrosnan@cox.net Berlin '51-53 & '60-62
LTC Lynn D. Baker whiteriverwoodturning@yahoo.com 1/6 Vietnam
Harry L. Payne jlhlpayne@att.net Berlin '51-54
Clark Cottrell ccott2@zoomtown.com Berlin '67-68
Lawrence Gloe gloel@ipbiloxi.com Berlin '77-80
Richard W. Waters soapywaters@hotmail.com Berlin 1947-52
Duane Oakley doakley2469@wowway.com Berlin 1962-63
Michael M. Keohane Longwalker21@aol.com
The 6th Infantry arrived back at Fort Bliss, Tx. from Iraq on December 15.
On September 15, the President awarded the Medal of Honor to Marine Corporal Dakota Meyer. His citation is in this newsletter. Former Army Captain Will Swenson has been nominated for the Medal of Honor for his actions in the same battle.
I despise the liberal lean of the St. Petersburg Times, but it is a top notch newspaper. In November they reported that Dover Air Force Base cremated left over body parts of the deceased in Iraq and Afghanistan. After cremation, they were incinerated and then dumped in a Virginia landfill. Lt. General Darrell Jones likened the procedure to the disposal of medical waste. General, you are wrong. The government has to stop autopsies of deceased vets. They did it during the Vietnam War and appear to be doing it again now. I wrote my congressman and got a response on November 21. A Lt. Col. cited Title 10 USC 1471 which sets out the authorities for the Armed Forces Medical Examiner to conduct forensic pathology investigations, including an autopsy of service members and others of federal interest. I think it is time to bring this practice to an end. Basically, anyone killed in a combat zone should have their remains returned to the family without a forensic pathology investigation and autopsy. Furthermore, the Armed Forces Medical Examiner cannot request permission of the family to perform an investigation and/or autopsy. They can only be performed at the request of the family or in the case of murder. The law clearly states that the Medical Examiner's Office can conduct a pathological investigation and/or an autopsy on any veteran whose cause of death is "not natural." That includes all killed in a combat zone. I faxed my congressman on December 1 to request a change to the law. Who does the Medical Examiner's Office work for? The Defense Department. Lovely. If anyone would like a copy of what was faxed to send to their congressman, contact me with the information on the first page.
If you are on active duty and looking for a career, you might want to look into a degree program in computer science. I made a very good living for 30 years in that field. I worked with three people who
attended East Tennessee State and their knowledge as they came out of school was far above any other institution. Fordham has a good program, but it is a very expensive school now. They charge about $39,000 a year now. If the GI Bill would cover it, I'd go for it. The bank at which I worked in the 80s was so impressed with the people they hired from East Tennessee State that they interviewed exclusively at that school. Once you get a few years experience you can assess whether you want to make a career of it at that company or want to look into consulting. That is where the big money is. Working on the road, as I did for many years, is a rough way to make a living, but well worth it. The most I made on a contract was with IBM and I made $97 an hour. That was 20 years ago. If I could do now what I did 15 years ago, I could easily make $250 an hour or more. It is pretty much a recession-proof field.
The trick is getting a foot in the door to get your experience. If you want a company in which to get that experience, try any of the twelve Federal Reserve Banks. When I worked at the Fed in New York in the 1970s, they would pay for any education program that could benefit the Fed. Business and computer science are two I can think of. I knew someone the Fed paid for his law degree. Once he passed the bar he moved to Miami. Another good profession to consider is as a pharmacist. Both pay well. A third field to think about is a degree in mathematics. You need to have the education to succeed in all of these. Getting that education is up to you. If any of you are thinking of college and would like to talk, my phone number is 727-563-9362 and my email is cturkfarrell@aol.com. Just contact me and give me your number and I'll call you back on my dime. I'd gladly go to that expense to help any vet make the right decisions. If your interest is law enforcement, go to John Jay in New York City. If college is not your thing, a business hiring is truck driving. A neighbor of mine just finished school for that and is sitting on four job offers. The VA should cover the cost of that training.
I read of Obama's plan to change the military retirement plan and to put it mildly I don't agree with it. This guy wants to raise taxes to reduce the deficit and the only budget cut he can come up with is to overhaul the military retirement plan. His jobs plan will never make it through Congress. With any luck, he'll be a one term president.
VFW Magazine had an update on the Cold War Medal. It said one big problem might be the cost of $440 million as there are 35 million eligible for the medal. The cost per medal is $13. I can't see 35 million requesting the medal. It has passed both houses of Congress. It has taken since 1997 to get it this far. The effective dates for the medal are September 2, 1945 and December 26, 1991. The budget cuts mandated by federal law because of the failure of the super committee don't take effect till 2013. That may mean the medal is safe. If the medal is issued and you'd like one, fax your congressman's Washington office and request it. Be sure to also fax a copy of your 214.
Barack Obama may have 14 months left in his first term, but his supporters in Congress are already preparing for the day he'll be an ex-president by introducing legislation that will allow him to keep his personal and presidential documents secret.
The Edge Magazine that came with the November 7 issue of the Army Times is a must read for anyone contemplating college. They sent out inquiries to hundreds of colleges and universities as to how they recruit and support military veterans. Hundreds responded. In Edge Magazine they rated the top responders. I am knowledgeable with three of the top 57. My niece graduated from Rutgers, which was #3. She then went on to get an MBA at Fairleigh Dickinson. #9 is D'Youville College in Buffalo, NY. My older sister got a degree in Nursing there in 1963. She went on to get two masters degrees at the University of California San Francisco and taught psychiatry at Fresno State. She later got a Law Degree from Stetson University in St. Pete. #34 is Fordham that I attended at night between 1972 and 1976. There are some good universities on that list. Look it over carefully.
If you are thinking of college and still have time to be deployed in the States or Germany, it would look good on your paperwork for school if you have the Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal. You should qualify for it if you teach religion classes on Sunday mornings. When I was in Berlin, I taught classes, but no one knew I was teaching the classes except the chaplain. They didn't find out till the day I got out for a European Discharge. At a later date I got an Army Commendation Medal. Simply talk to your chaplain about it.
The National Association of Atomic Veterans is searching for 195,000 vets exposed to radiation during atomic tests between 1945 and 1962 or served as part of occupation forces in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They could receive a one time $75,000 benefit as part of The Radiation Exposure Compensation Act
of 1990 or a monthly disability up to $2,673 from the VA if they contracted any of 21 cancers related to radiation exposure. To date few vets have filed. Their widows and children are also eligible. Applicants need medical records and place of exposure. For information, call 800-729-7327.
Member Mike Keohane sent me information about a company on Long Island that will make decals or magnetic of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions in Berlin and the Sixth Infantry crest. Decals are $2 each and magnetic are $5 each. The mailing information is:
J. Signs
12 Highland Avenue
Patchogue, NY 11772
Obama walks into the Bank of America to cash a check. As he approaches the cashier he says, "Good morning, Ma'am, could you please cash this check for me?"
Cashier: "It would be my pleasure, sir. Could you please show me your ID?"
Obama: "Truthfully, I did not bring my ID with me as I didn't think there was any need to. I am Barrack H. Obama, President of the United States."
Cashier: "Yes, sir. I know who you are, but with all the regulations and monitoring of the banks because of imposters and forgers, etc., I must insist on seeing ID."
Obama: "just ask anyone here at the bank who I am and they will tell you. Everybody knows who I am."
Cashier: I am sorry, but there are bank rules and I must follow them."
Obama: "I am urging you to please cash this check."
Cashier: "Look, sir, here's what we can do: one day Tiger Woods came into the bank without ID. To prove he was Tiger Woods he pulled out his putting iron and made a beautiful shot across the bank into a cup. With that shot we knew him to be Tiger Woods and cashed his check. Another time, Andre Agassi came in without ID. He pulled out his racquet and made a fabulous shot where the tennis ball landed in
my cup. With that spectacular shot we cashed his check. So, what can you do extremely well that will prove that you are really the President of the United States?"
Obama stood there thinking and thinking, and finally says: "Honestly, there is nothing that comes to my mind. I can't think of a single thing."
Cashier: "Will that be large or small bills, Mr. President?"
Having already downed a few power drinks, she turns around, faces him, looks him straight in the eye and says, "Listen here, good looking, I screw anybody, any time, any where, your place, my place, in the car, front door, back door, on the ground, standing up, sitting down, naked or with clothes on; it doesn't
matter to me. I just love it!" Eyes now wide with interest, he responds "No kidding. I'm in Congress, too. What state are you from?"
Why I'm depressed: Over five thousand years ago, Moses said to the children of Israel, "pick up your shovels, mount your asses and camels, and I will lead you to the Promised Land." Only 75 years ago, (when welfare was introduced) President Roosevelt said, "Lay down your shovels, sit on your asses,
light up a Camel, this is the Promised Land." Today, Congress has stolen your shovel, taxed your asses, raised the price of Camels and mortgaged the Promised Land. I was so depressed last night thinking about health care plans, the economy, the wars, lost jobs, savings, Social Security, retirement funds, etc., I called a suicide hot line. I had to press 1 for English. I was connected to a call center in Pakistan. I told them I was suicidal. They got excited and asked if I could drive a truck. Folks, we're screwed!
A young Arab boy asks his father, "Why do you wear the traditional head covering?" The father said, "It's a 'chechia'. In the desert, it protects our heads from the sun." "And this type of clothing that you are wearing?" asked the young man. "It's a 'djbellah' because in the desert it is very hot and it protects the body." said the father. The son asked, "And what about those ugly shoes on your feet?" The father replied, "These are 'babouches', which keep us from burning our feet in the desert." "Tell me," added the boy. "Yes, my son?" "Why do we live in Dearborn, Michigan and still have to wear all this crap?"
"White House Chief of Staff Bill Daley announced he'll be leaving the White House after the election. I got the feeling a lot of people are going to be leaving the White House after the election." - Jay Leno
There is finally real evidence that Osama bin Laden and Moammar Gadhafi are dead. They both registered to vote in Chicago.
Charles P. Murray Jr. - Medal of Honor
Rank and organization: First Lieutenant, U. S. Army, Company C, 30th Infantry, 3rd Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Kayserberg, France, 16 December 1944. Entered service at: Wilmington, NC. Birth: Baltimore, Md. G. O. No. 63 1 August 1945. Citation: For commanding Company C, 30th Infantry, displaying supreme courage and heroic initiative near Kayserberg, France on 16 December 1944, while leading a reinforced platoon into enemy territory. Descending into a valley beneath hilltop positions held by our troops, he observed a force of 200 Germans pouring deadly mortar, bazooka, machinegun, and small arms fire into an American battalion occupying the crest of the ridge. The enemy's position in a sunken road, though hidden from the ridge, was open to a flank attack by 1st Lt. Murray's patrol but he hesitated to commit so small a force to battle with the superior and strongly disposed enemy.
Crawling out ahead of his troops to a vantage point, he called by radio for artillery fire. His shells bracketed the German force, but when he was about to correct the range his radio went dead. He returned to his patrol, secured grenades and a rifle to launch them and went back to his self-appointed outpost. His first shots disclosed his position, the enemy directed heavy fire against him as he methodically fired his missiles into the narrow defile. Again he returned to his patrol. With an automatic rifle and ammunition, he once more moved to his exposed position. Burst after burst he fired into the
enemy, killing 20, wounding many others, and completely disorganizing its ranks, which began to withdraw. He prevented the removal of German mortars by knocking out a truck. By that time a mortar had been brought to his support. 1st Lt. Murray directed fire of this weapon, causing further casualties and confusion in the German ranks. Calling on his patrol to follow, he then moved out toward his original objective, possession of a bridge and construction of a roadblock. He captured 10 Germans in foxholes. An eleventh, while pretending to surrender, threw a grenade which knocked him to the
ground, inflicting 8 wounds. Though suffering and bleeding profusely, he refused to return to the rear until he had chosen the spot for the block and had seen his men correctly deployed. By his singlehanded attack on an overwhelming force and by his intrepid and heroic fighting, 1st Lt. Murray stopped a counterattack, established an advance position against formidable odds, and provided an inspiring example for the men of his command.
Note: December 16, 1944 was the day the Germans launched what was to become known as the Battle of the Bulge.
Corporal Dakota L. Meyer - Medal of Honor
The President of the United States in the name of The Congress takes pleasure in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to Corporal Dakota L. Meyer, United States Marine Corps for service as set forth in the following:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with Marine Embedded Training Team 2-8, Regional Corps Advisory Command 3-7, in Kumar Province, Afghanistan, on 8 September 2009. Corporal Meyer maintained security at a patrol rally point
while other members of his team moved on foot with two platoons of Afghan National Army and Border Police into the village of Ganjgal for a pre-dawn meeting with village elders. Moving into the village, the patrol was ambushed by more than 50 enemy fighters firing rocket propelled grenades, mortars, and machine guns from houses and fortified positions on the slopes above. Hearing over the radio that four U. S. team members were cut off, Corporal Meyer seized the initiative. With a fellow Marine driving, Corporal Meyer took the exposed gunner's position in a gun-truck as they drove down the steeply terraced terrain in a daring attempt to disrupt the enemy attack and locate the trapped U. S. team. Disregarding intense enemy fire now concentrated on their lone vehicle, Corporal Meyer killed a number of enemy fighters with the mounted machine guns and his rifle, some at near point blank range, as he and his driver made three solo trips into the ambush area. During the first two trips, he and his driver evacuated two dozen Afghan soldiers, many of whom were wounded. When one machine gun
became inoperable, he directed a return to the rally point to switch to another gun-truck for a third trip into the ambush area where his accurate fire directly supported the remaining U. S. personnel and Afghan soldiers fighting their way out of the ambush. Despite a shrapnel wound to his arm, Corporal Meyer made two more trips into the ambush area in a third gun-truck accompanied by four other Afghan vehicles to recover more wounded Afghan soldiers and search for the missing U. S. team members. Still under heavy enemy fire, he dismounted the vehicle on the fifth trip and moved on foot
to locate and recover the bodies of his team members. Corporal Meyer's daring initiative and bold fighting spirit throughout the 6-hour battle significantly disrupted the enemy's attack and inspired the members of the combined force to fight on. His unwavering courage and steadfast devotion to his U. S. and Afghan comrades in the face of almost certain death reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U. S. Naval Service.
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