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WWW.46THSFCA.ORG
46th Special Forces Company (Airborne) Association
Thailand.
Newsletter November 2014.
To all our Members and Friends around the World.
Click here to find us on Facebook
GREETINGS FROM THE DESK OF: REED F. (CADILLAC) JOHNSON
Reed F. (Cadillac) Johnson D2550L, USA SF MSG(R), CEO 46TH SFCA
Life Member VFW Post 9430 Skyway WA. Life Member SFA CH 3 Bangkok Thailand
Past VFW Dpt. Cdr. Panama Canal 1980-81
October 1st
Dean Meyers, member and long time supporter of the 46th’s Schools Programs hosted a birthday party for his housekeeper
Dao, at The Ninja Thai BBQ restaurant. There were a total of 24 guests with lots of food and a few cakes.
Among the guests was Reed & Pranee Johnson with daughter, Eye, our favorite Taxi Driver and friend Chamnan, with his
wife Somboon. Dean from the US (in the white shirt) is retired and previously worked as a teacher in a Lao-speaking area. He
lives near Pattaya in Thailand.
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October 21st
Eye Johnson (in front) with friends
(Ma, La and Bell) at a one day
seminar at Kasetsart University in
Bangkok on Oct. 21 2014 from
8a.m. to 4p.m. 25000 students
attended.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Nov 1-2
Nov 3
Nov 4
Nov 6
Nov 22-23
Nov
Dec 5
Dec 10
June 5-10 2015
Aug 9 2015
Nov 7 2015
Dragon long Boat races on the Moon River, Satuck, Buri Ram Province
Mike Brock and Barry Peckham from Spokane WA arrive in Thailand
Brian (our News Letter editor) & Nee Philipp arrive from the UK
Loy Krathong (Thai Valentine’s Day)
Surin Elephant Festival
During the month, visiting schools in Buri Ram & Chiang Mai Provinces
The King’s Birthday also Father’s Day in Thailand.
Thailand’s Constitution Day
1st SFG (A) 2015 Reunion Washington DC (see below)
Harley Davidson raffle draw
WOUNDED WARRIOR CRUISE V
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From: [email protected] Subject: 1st SFG(A) 2015 Reunion
Great News!!! The 2015 Reunion will be held in Washington DC. Patrick Kellener will be the Chairman and members of
Chapter 11 will assist him. Pat will provide more information at a later date. VR, Harlow
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WOUNDED WARRIOR CRUISE V Nov 8-15 2015
For more information go to our web site or e-mail our travel agent LYNN DYE at
[email protected] Tel: (844) 315-9941.
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Members News
New Members
Welcome to Marty C Keef from San Diego CA. Marty served with the 46th in Thailand 1967-69 and
1971-72.
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Jerry Nelson 46th Member & Supporter invites you to follow his blog. Jerry is a resident of the northern city of Chiang
Mai in Thailand. http://www.jerrycnx.blogspot.com http://www.jerrynelsonphoto.com/ http://www.cmirotary.org/
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From: Military.com [email protected] Date: October 2, 2014Subject: Pentagon Promises to Try to Cut Pay and
Benefits Again
Deputy Defense Secretary Bob Work said Tuesday that the Pentagon
will continue pressing to trim military pay, pensions, and housing
allowances despite rejections by Congress.
The Pentagon will also try again to reform the Tricare health care
system and kill the A-10 attack aircraft despite nearly universal
opposition from veterans service organizations, Work said at a Council
on Foreign Relations forum.
"This whole idea of compensation is absolutely critical. Compensation
(reform) is a really big deal" in DoD's efforts to maintain readiness, fight
wars in Afghanistan and the Mideast and rebalance forces to the Pacific
while working under the budgetary restrictions of the Congressional
sequester process, Work said.
Matters will come to a head in February when DoD presents its next budget and the Military Compensation and Retirement
Modernization Commission presents its long-awaited reform recommendations, Work said.
Work said he expected that Congress will still be working under a continuing resolution on DoD's budget in February. "This is
truly the last chance for us to make any moves in this space" on pay, pensions and other cost-cutting measures, said Work, a
retired Marine colonel and former Navy undersecretary.
Without the proposed cuts, the Pentagon will be left with a $70 billion hole in its budget, Work said, but Congress has
opposed "what we consider to be reasonable approaches. It's been no, no, no, no, no, no, no" to nearly every suggestion. "This
is la-la land," Work said.
The Military Officers Association of America and other veterans groups were bracing for the upcoming fight with DoD on
pay and benefits. "I don't expect that the Department is going to ease off on any of these next year," said retired Col. Mike
Hayden, MOAA's director of government relations.
Hayden said that DoD was "looking at any way to try to offset readiness costs by shifting them onto servicemembers and their
families and retirees."
Over the Labor Day weekend, President Obama sent notice to Congress limiting pay increases for the military and federal
civilian workers to one percent. The House has passed a bill for a military pay increase of 1.8 percent while the Senate has yet
to act on an amendment offered by Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Tex., for a similar 1.8 percent military pay raise.
Work made the comments on pay and benefits in response to questions at the CFR forum. His main topic was the Obama
administration's push to rebalance forces to the Asia-Pacific region, with 60 percent of military assets and personnel focused
on Asia and 40 percent elsewhere.
Work said that Asian allies constantly point to the turmoil in the Mideast and Russian aggression in eastern Europe to ask him
about the Pacific pivot: "Is this rebalance really real?"
However, the U.S. had the resources to "stay committed to Europe and the Mideast" while carrying out the rebalance, Work
said, but budget constraints could mean that "we might not be able to go as fast as we like."
To underline the administration's commitment to the rebalance, Work said that the F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, when they
come on line, would go first to the Pacific along with the new P-8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft. Work said that there also
were plans to have the new Zumwalt class destroyer go first to the Pacific – "we hope." -- Richard Sisk can be reached at
[email protected]
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Forward From: Radford Mays [email protected] Date: Oct 18 2014 Subject: Nationwide Telephone Scam
Affecting TRICARE Beneficiaries. Original message from: TRICARE Communications
[email protected]
TRICARE beneficiaries need to be aware of a telephone scam affecting beneficiaries over 65 and on Medicare nationwide. A
caller will usually identify themselves as being an official Medicare vendor, and will then offer to sell you back braces. The
caller may have specific information that makes the call seem official, typically your address, phone numbers and doctor’s
name. The caller is hoping this will convince you they are a legitimate vendor and that you will give them your social security
number and additional personal information. See>>tricare.mil/Health ScamAlert
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TAPS, LOST SOULS and SICK & DISTRESSED CALLS this month. (More info on our Web Site) and via Rev. Roy
F. Hill [email protected]
TAPS
From: Leamon Ratterree [email protected] Date: October 3, 2014 Subject:
http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=16965&source=GovDelivery
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.
Sgt. 1st Class Andrew T. Weathers, 30, of DeRidder, Louisiana, died Sept. 30, at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center,
Germany, from wounds sustained when the enemy attacked his unit with small arms fire Sept. 28, in Helmand Province,
Afghanistan. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Eglin
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MEMORY LANE.
THE C-130 ON DISPLAY AT THE FRONT GATE OF LITTLE ROCK AFB, ARKANSAS
Interesting Short History
This C-130A Hercules was the 126th built by Lockheed Aircraft corp. of Marietta, Georgia. It was accepted into the
Air Force inventory on 23 August 1957.
On 2 November 1972, it was given to the South Vietnamese Air Force as part of the Military Assistance Program. A
few years later, the aircraft would be involved in a historic flight.
On 29 April 1975, this Herk was the last out of Vietnam during the fall of Saigon. With over 100 aircraft destroyed on
the flight line at Tan Son Nhut Air Base, some of them still burning, it was the last flyable C-130 remaining. In a very
panicked state, hundreds of people were rushing to get aboard, as the aircraft represented a final ticket to freedom.
People hurriedly crowded into the Herk, packing in tighter and tighter. Eventually, the loadmaster informed the pilot,
Major Phuong, a South Vietnamese instructor pilot, that he could not get the rear ramp closed due to the number of
people standing on it. In a moment of inspiration, Major Phuong slowly taxied forward, then hit the brakes. The
loadmaster called forward again stating he had successfully got the doors closed.
In all, 452 people were on board, including a staggering 32 in the cockpit alone. Using a conservative estimate of 100
pounds per person, it translated into an overload of at least 10,000 pounds. Consequently, the Herk used every bit of
the runway and overrun before it was able to get airborne.
The target was Thailand, which should have been 1:20 in flight time, but after an hour and a half, the aircraft was over
the Gulf of Siam, and they were clearly lost. Finally, a map was located, they identified some terrain features, and they
were able to navigate. They landed at Utapao, Thailand after a three and a half hour flight.
Ground personnel were shocked at what "fell out" as they opened the doors. It was clear that a longer flight would
almost certainly have resulted in a loss of life. In the end, however, all 452 people made it to freedom aboard this
historic C-130. 452 very happy passengers and I'll wager there wasn't one complaint about the service!
Upon landing, the aircraft was reclaimed by the United States Air Force and assigned to two different Air National
Guard units for the next 14 years.
On 28 June 1989, it made its final flight to Little Rock Air Force Base and placed on permanent display.
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From; John Aiello [email protected] Date: October 18, 2014 Subject: FAG, Former Action Guy’s:
John Podlaski posted in VIETNAM VETERANS of AMERICA
35 yrs later, Vietnam family reunites with Navy rescuers. View here>> vietnamese-family-reconnects-with-sailors-whorescued-them/
Links to Patriot Post:
Daily Digest for Friday Oct 17>> http://patriotpost.us/digests/30107
Daily Digest for Thursday Oct 16>> http://patriotpost.us/digests/30058
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From: Keoni Ronald May [email protected] Sent: October 25 Subject: Ho Chi Minh trail
past and present
Bombs, Craters, Tanks Guns, Remote tribal villages, lost roads of the Ho Chi Minh Trail, Incredible ...
View here>>>> Ho Chi Minh trail past and present, hundreds of present day photos of the Ho Chi
Minh Trail
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From: Ron Thomas [email protected] Date: September 17, 2014 Subject: FOR ALL WHO WERE IN VIETNAM
AND THOSE CURIOUS ABOUT IT.
Follow this link to view. Great pictures, lot of effort to put this together.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/aviatorr727/sets/72157625615256098/ Note: There are several "pages" of photos. The links
are at the bottom.
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If you have input for this section please contact us at [email protected] we will be pleased to include your
photos, memories, stories and past recollections of your time in Thailand. We will also help you contact old or lost
friends, comrades and brothers through our “Lost Souls Section”
Other SF links and Newsletters
SFA Chapter 60
SFA Chapter 90
SFC Chapter 55
SFA Chapter IX
SFA Chapter 78 The September 2014 Chapter 78 SENTINEL may be viewed here. chapter-78-newsletter-september2014 This issue has the first part of a four part story on the formation and operations of D Company, 1st SFG(A) to the 46th SF
Company by SGM John Martin.
VVA Chapter 1076 Henderson Nevada The VVA Chapter 1076 Newsletters may be viewed here. There may be items of
interest to other Vietnam Veterans who are not members.
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From: Lou Rothenstein [email protected] Date: July 6, 2014 Subject: 1st Newsletter under the name of
Observation Post
1st Newsletter under the name of Observation Post is now available; it is a wrapup of our first year’s activities.
If you know of a Vietnam Veteran that is interested in receiving periodic news items and veteran activities, please have them
email me at [email protected] .
We would be most happy to place your veteran-related activities in the newsletter. Look for another one as well named
Henderson Guard Post. It can be found on VVA Chapter 1076 blog at the present time. We try to provide information from our
southern location in Clark County to include Boulder City.
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From: Ron Thomas [email protected] Date: June 4 Subject: Combat Related Special Compensation
Everyone that has a PH should check this out. Money comes from DOD, not VA.
Click here>>> Combat Related Special Compensation
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Some interesting military history links; Military History;
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SCHOOLS FUND RAISING DRIVES
Donations received this month from:
D B Hunt, Gainesville, FL. $100 towards our General School Fund. Thank you!!
D B Hunt also donated a further $65 towards our Warm Blanket Program and purchased 2 shirts from our online shop.
All the proceeds from our shop go towards our Programs.
Luther Tonkin, Land O'Lakes, WI. $100 towards our Warm Blanket Program. Thank you!!
Terry L. Bryan, (Project Delta Recon). $250 towards our Warm Blanket Program. Thank you!!
BLANKETS
If you want to buy your child one of our blankets we will ship it to
you for a donation of $50.00. 9 Remote School Children will also
receive a blanket. Visit our web site to order or if you just want to
donate for any one of our Programs.
WWW.46THSFCA.ORG
BIKES
The bikes cost just $40.00 each. Children who
demonstrate commitment to their School work
are first in line. Visit our web site to donate for
any one of our Programs.
WWW.46THSFCA.ORG
We need to raise more funds for our schools programs. The children want to learn and the teachers want to teach. But these schools
have to get by on so little money. We can help them. The teachers make about $150 a month and the state funding for each child is
about $10 a year!!
Playtime for some of the Remote school children is working in the school market gardens, so come lunchtime they get something to
eat. If the crops are good the surplus gets sold at the local market. The little money made goes to buy fish and meat for their
lunches.
State school funding does not include feeding the kids!!
NEW PROGRAM; Shoes, socks and winter clothes for the children in the Northern Mountain Schools
This is a new Program in addition to our Blanket Program, School Supplies Program, Bikes for Tykes Program and Field Trips Program.
You all know that 100% of WHATEVER you donate goes to what YOU tell us you want it to go for. All the money donated or we make from the
sales in our store goes to our Programs. We have no Admin costs because all our Officers are Volunteers.
Our Warm Blanket and later Shoes & Socks and Jacket Programs started
with this little boy who died in the winter of 2004. His name was Moc
(which means fog in English). He attended Kun Sab School in the Hills near
Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand.
Most visitors to Thailand find the Northern Hills refreshingly cool after the
tropical southern beaches but the people who live there especially small
children find the winter nights are COLD. He died from caching a CHILL
because he got too cold in the night.
News of his death kicked off our WARM BLANKET PROGRAM.
Since 2004 we have donated 4,380 BLANKETS to the poor and remote
school children in Thailand. When we have enough donations we buy 100’s
of Blankets at a time. They cost just $5 each!!
We started our BIKES FOR TYKES PROGRAM when we met this 12 year old 0rphan boy who
was making a living as a pro kick boxer to support his grandmother & himself.
His Teacher told us he had good grades but had a problem getting to and from School because
his home was a long way and he had no money for the bus.
Since 2004 we have donated over 300 Bikes to deserving children.
When we have enough donations we buy the BIKES by the truckload. They cost just $40 each!!
Visit our web site and donate to our School Programs.
WWW.46THSFCA.ORG
If you want to support a particular program please tell us. All donations are Tax Deductable.
With your Support and Donations we are changing forever thousands of children’s lives. When
they grow up they will never forget how the American People helped them.
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ON LINE STORE
We have a range of quality Thai silver items, hand made at
factory prices plus; Hats, Polo shirts, T shirts, Lighters, Bumper
stickers, Coasters, Aprons, Para bags and more.
New “Never Accept Defeat" long sleeve shirts at $25 each;
Quality canvas traveler’s
back packs. $25.00 each
includes postage.
Online shop at
WWW.46THSFCA.ORG
you can use PAYPAL for
donations and purchases.
All money raised from the sales will go toward helping our Wounded Warrior and Remote Schools Programs.
WITH ANY DONATION WE WILL SEND YOU A FREE BUMPER STICKER. SEND A
CHECK TO;
46TH SFCA, 2838 CROIX COURT VIRGINIA BEACH, VA 23451-1365
E-MAIL; [email protected]
You can also order from our WEB SITE using PAYPAL but remember they charge us for the
service. (Please add $1.00)
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We support those who support our projects
www.georgeanddragonpub.com
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THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND SUPPORT.
YOURS IN COMRADESHIP, REED F. JOHNSON, D2550L, CEO, 46TH SFCA.
[email protected]
46th Special Forces Company (ABN) Association.
2838 Croix Court, Virginia Beach, VA 23451-1365. USA.
P/O Box 105, Banglamung, Chonburi 20150, Thailand.
46th SFCA Association is a Non-Profit 501 (C) (3) Corporation. Federal EIN 98-0440496.
Billy Cason (Chief Financial Officer) [email protected]
Edie English (Chief Fundraiser) [email protected]
John Tuohey (Fundraiser) [email protected]
John (Jack) Murphy (Legal advisor) [email protected]
Leslie Murphy (Medical advisor) [email protected]
BG. (Ret) Remo Buttler (Military Liaison) [email protected]
Steve & Fran Craig (Australian Coordinators) [email protected]
Brian H. Philipp (Newsletter Editor) [email protected]
Cpt (R) Mark Little (Head of WIA Recruitment Program) [email protected]
Rob Chancey English III (Web Master) [email protected]
You may also make a donation by Pay-Pal and Credit Card. See more on our Web Site.
WWW.46THSFCA.ORG