I have tried to re-open a claim w/ the VA re: a truck accident I experienced w/ Cpl. Cowardin while we were at the LAAM base north of Da Nang.

My self and approx 15 personnel from the missile site were going to division when the truck went off the roadway. I'm not sure when this accident occurred, but I'm thinking it was around Nov or so '67.

The VA said it never happened so I've experienced lower back pain for over 40 some odd years for no  reason at all.  I've had a few guys from the unit submit letters verifying I was in the accident along w/ Cpl Cowardin (poor guy passed away last Jan). When I went to DAV, they said the guys should have stated something about my injuries.  Duh, I didn't know I had a concussion until we got to the aid station and then that's when my back problems began.....I never fell asleep again while on hole watch, the pain in my back kept me awake!

If by chance anyone remembers the incident please drop me a small note stating what you might remember, I've got my congressman involved don't know what good it will do, at this point I'll be glad if the VA admits the accident really happened.

My address is......

Mike Medina

 2 Via Caridad, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 90688

email: loww_rodder@yahoo.com

I never knew there was a way to hook up with guys from 2/7 until about '03. Since then I've attended 2 reunions, and many telephone conversations over the years.  This past weekend I located Matthew Minion and Steve Ostrin (medevacted Feb'67). I've thought about the Nam every day. Every day there is something that triggers a memory.  Ha, just taking a shower, remember that shower we had at the esso plant?

I don't have any bad feelings about the numerous Vietnamese people I see or deal with on a daily basis. I just wonder if they know how lucky they are to be born in a free society.

After the Nam, I prayed no other young Marine would have to go through that ____ again but I was wrong.  I see pictures of the guys in Afghanistan, carrying those back packs  and its HOTTT.  How we ever did it is beyond me. Work parties in the day then patrols at night, getting an hours sleep a night

(if we were lucky).

Semper Fi,

Mike Medina

My 20 year old nephew, Jordan, is heading to Parris Island the first week of

October, for boot camp. He will be making over $3,000.00 per month pay, as an E-2.

My father, during World War II, as a Lieutenant grossed $22.00 a month. In 1967,

as an E-3, I made about $300.00 a month.

Apparently, the current administration believes a mailman should make more

money than a combat veteran with 10 to 12 years of dedicated service to his Country.

When one's priorities are out of line; it is due to an unsound thinking process

Semper Fi,

Everyone that falsely wears a medal or ribbon is stealing from the honor of those who actually fought and died. They tarnish the memory of those that sacrificed their lives for a righteous "cause". A soldier wears his medals with pride, A thief wears medals for ego. There is no place for ego on a battle field.

Sadly, these "want to be" soldiers/heroes have no respect for the military or its place in the legacy of the United State of America. This is NOT a 'victimless' crime.

'Doc' Jeffrey Levine

They can't take away or steal our valor no matter hard they try-

Once again, there is another report of an individual who thinks, try’s, and claims to be one of us. But no matter how hard they try, or what ribbons they place upon themselves, they will never be "us". They know that. We know that. But we need to pursue them. We need to puruse them not alone for our own pride but for those names etched in Granite. They count on us to uphold their sacrifice and their pride. If we don't do it, nobody else will. 

I believe the courts should uphold the law signed into effect (The Stolen Valor Act of 2005) that was signed into law by President George W. Bush on December 20, 2006. As Vietnam Veterans, we feel very keenly the damage done by these fakes. Those who falsely claim service or medals for heroism, cheapen the recognition of our true war heroes. The phony war hero phenomenon tarnishes the service of thousands of Vietnam veterans who have served their country honorably.  

Semper Fidelis,

Jim Zalpis Vietnam Veteran Echo 2/7 Marine

To all my Friends and Family,

Please read John Bernard’s latest blog (see link, below).  I agree wholeheartedly with John’s point of view on this issue.  ROE are way too strict in Afghanistan, costing young American lives every day.  If you detect a significant amount of intensity on John’s part, understand that this is very personal for him.  His son, Jason, was killed in action last year due to the overly restrictive ROE he had to fight under.  Jason’s unit was engaged in a ferocious battle and needed artillery support.  Their request for support was denied, resulting in many wounded and Jason’s death.  As a combat veteran of the Vietnam War, who saw first-hand this kind of stupidity happening over and over again, it is apparent to me that we have learned nothing from the mistakes we made forty-plus years ago.

FYI. I subscribe to the Public Affairs Offices in both Afghanistan and Iraq and receive every military press release coming out of both countries.  The bottom line is that more and more American and allied casualties are being reported every day in Afghanistan, and while there are many successes reported, the final sentence in each press release states either that “no Afghani civilians were harmed in this operation” or provides information about this unfortunate but inevitable consequence of war when innocents are harmed.  I believe this focus is terribly misplaced.  Our senior military leaders and the civilian government that oversees the military need to place a much higher emphasis on strategies that will allow our forces to succeed and provide them with all the tools to accomplish their missions.

I am hopeful that the recent appointment of Marine General Jim Mattis as the Commander of Central Command will have a positive impact on the outstanding young Americans fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq.  If the “Monk General” is not able to turn this around, then it truly is time to bring our troops home.

Semper Fidelis!

Nicholas Warr

Proud Vietnam Veteran

U. S. Marine

TO ALL;

I had an Epiphany!...All right, a sleepless night and a thought but never the less one that caused me to re-think the debacle that is our current strategy in Afghanistan. We have been saying for a while that the ROE has increased US and NATO deaths – and for the wrong reasons. The reality is that it is indeed responsible for every death in Afghanistan by virtue of its having turned the battle space over to the enemy. Where in the annals of military history has this ever been touted as a wise way to win?

Please stop by and read my latest entry at www.letthemfight.blogspot.com

Semper Fidelis;

John Bernard

On my last night at company area (baldy?)1970 ,
I went to sleep in one of plywood, screen with tent.  I had Gunny Yohe's shot gun that the armor wouldn't take until I was ready to board the chopper to Da Nang.
"O" dark thirty, I was awaken by someone yelling grenade. I grabbed the shot gun and bag of shells and went out through the screen.
No explosion but some kind of fight in the hooch.
I loaded the shot gun and entered the tent by the far doorway I could see three or four shadows beating some one laying in the cot at the far end of the tent.
I yelled for them to stop or I will shoot. then an illumination round went off in the sky lighting up the hooch. Three of the four hit the deck the forth turned to me with the end of a cot pole in his raised arm. I yelled again and he hit the deck.
It turned out that four black marines where beating on a white marine corporal.
The Cpl. had been E co. clerk and prior to his rotation to Okinawa he had forged his Service Record Book with medals and promotions, he was back in the Nam to face a heavy court martial.
The blacks were mad because a black Cpl. had refused an order, given office hours busted in rank confined and payroll garnished immediately, and they felt the White Cpl. was skating.
Well the OD shows up arrest the Blacks and the white corporal is taken the Btn med.
Everyone in the Company compound is standing out side the company office.
Emotions are running high the OD tell everyone to go to their tents and are restricted until sun up.  
Then he tells the crowd that I'm going to walk the area with orders to shoot anyone out side.
There is a lot of yelling (I'm not happy) and somebody yells that I'm a racist. (now I'm scared)
When a voice is heard over the crowd, A black Marine steps forward and states "he is not a racist I've been in the bush with this man and know that for a fact." Then Pfc. Leroy Westcott stands by my side and says "I will be by his side all night anyone got a problem with that"  Leroy wasn't the tallest black marine in the world but standing there beside me I felt he was the biggest bad marine I ever seen.  
The rest of the night we walk side by side, and at times because of whispers and the throwing of defused grenade, back to back. Id rather been on a one man ambush on Charlie ridge, that night but I had all the back up I needed.
Up came the sun, I gathered what was left of my gear, it had been ransacked during the night, gave the armor the gun and grabbed the first chopper to Da Nang.  Leroy's name and home town stayed in my mind even though others I spent a longer time slipped from my memories.

Over the last thirty years I tried several time to find Leroy, with out success, I even went to Nor Folk Virginia in 2000 after rolling thunder in Washington and struck out.

I came across a computer site that said I could find anyone, so I tried again, and There it was Leroy Westcott Norfolk. After several tries I finally sent a note asking if this was "the" Leroy could he write or Call, a week later the phone rang and my wife brought it to me, It was Leroy's son, Leroy Westcott Jr.  His father had died in a Longshoreman work related accident in 1997.  
We talked a while about his dad I related my feelings about him and why.
I'm wounded, I missed Him by 13 years, and just want everyone out there if you need to find some one do it now before its to late.

And to the Biggest bad Marine it was my pleasure to know, Semper Fi Leroy, you're my Hero.

Stan Long
email: sportironhead1@msn.com

The first time I read the Stolen Valor article I was livid regarding the depths to which some people will sink. When I re-read it I felt a genuine sense of pride. Maybe it is because the

'wanna-be's' are trying to be us. I think the individual is despicable. We were/are/and always will be special! It is my honor and privilege to be associated with you - The Few, The Proud...

Semper Fi,

'Doc'  Jeffrey Levine

I don't know if anyone is keeping track of E 2/7 vets who have passed on here in the big px but I just got word from his son that a man I've been trying to find at least since the 80's, Leroy Westcott, 69-70 Echo 2/7, died in 1997 while working as a longshoreman out of Norfolk.

I know I owed him my life and believe he was one of the best of the best. I'll see his family when we have the dedication, any objections to inviting them to the dedication.

Semper Fi Leroy, you are missed..

Stan Long

From a 2/7 former battle mate in Vietnam of mine who went on to join the Air Force and end up as a Master Sgt.  

Semper Fi,

Tom

Subject: USMC Slideshow

To all concerned -
I found this web link in doing research on Colonel Vincent A. Albers, USMC (Ret.). It is my understanding that Colonel Albers was the last CO of 2/7 in Vietnam during 1970.
http://www.childalert.org/colalbers.htm
Semper Fi!
Jimmy Clendennen

I WANT TO THANK MY BROTHERS JOHN AND BOB SAWYER MARINES AND YOU ALL FOR PUTTING YOUR LIVES ON THE LINE FOR US. GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERYONE OF YOU AND IF I COULD I WOULD HUG EACH OF YOU. I SEND MY THANKX AND LOVE.

SEMPER FI

TONI SAWYER STINEDURF

srvtx@yahoo.com

This Memorial Day Tooter is the perfect issue of the Tooter newsletter honoring our veterans and fallen comrades on Memorial Day. Everyone should take a moment to remember a fallen Marine or Corpsman that they served with.

God Bless and Semper Fi!
Jimmy

Thank you to all veterans this Memorial Day. And thank you to the families who have suffered so much. They too have served their country and need to be recognized for the loss of their loved one. We are with you every day and always.

Semper Fidelis

My we remember those who paid the ultimate price in the service our Country on this Memorial Day.

 God bless then, their families, and the United States of America.

Semper Fidelis,

Jim Zalpis

Echo 2/7 Marine Vietnam War