Nam-POW News

News from Mike McGrath - February 19, 1996

Hi to all fellow cons: There are a few new Air Pirates on the net, so I thought I'd get them the addressee list for their files. Here's the news:

1. Yesterday, I attended the dedication of the James B Stockdale Building. Formerly Bldg 68, the SERE training building on base at NAS North Island which is now named the James B. Stockdale Building. VADM Brett Bennitt introduced ADM Joe Prueher, C-inI-C, U.S. Pacific Command, who spoke. Then VADM Stockdale spoke. Great job by "CAG" as he graciously accepted the honor. A very formal and dignified ceremony. Sybil and son Taylor were there. Pows (and wives) there were: Ed Martin, Jim Bedinger, Cole Black, Fingers Ensch, Doug Hegdahl, Duffy Hutton, Earl Lewis, Me, Ev Southwick, Bill Stark, and Brian Woods. Would you believe that none of them are on the net. I twisted a few arms. Karen Black agreed to drag Cole into the twentieth century (befor it ends) and is now on the net with us. I wouldn't give her the e-mail list until she contacted me by cyberspace (which she has done). Another interesting attendee was Cdr Bob Chilton, the Korean War POW who so ably trained us Navy types in SERE at Warner Springs until he retired in about 1967.
2. Phony POWs are still popping up. We found out who the guy was that stood up with Dan Glenn at a banquet in OK. He had an assumed name, vague on details, but gave just enough that we figured out his real name. He was one of the Ted Guy 8 who has changed his name and now lives in Denver. So, he wasn't a phony POW, but a real one. Another Phony who I don't have much data on yet is Ralph Kenneth "Skip" Neel (Orson is tracking this one). Another one popped up in my own neighborhood. He says he was a Green Beret, working for CIA, Army Captain. Says he was captured in the jungle, held for a few day but killed his guard and escaped. Name: Henry Rem. Of course there is no record of him. I'll treat this one gently lest the fruitcake comes down the street to kill me. The one Tom Collins found is still around. Noel Peter Giuffrida, a retired Army Sgt from Korea days who claims he a retired General and is currently serving as President of the local VFW chapter in Tom's town. He doctored his DD-214 to get POW license plates, but thanks to Tom, the state uncovered the fraud and revoked his license plates. We heard he does a good job and the VFW members really don't care whether or not he is a fraud.
3. Thanks to Paul Galanti for getting us up on the world wide web with a NAM-POW Home Page. For those who have the ability to call it up, we are still in the formulative stages, so if you have an idea how to improve the format or content, shoot your input to Paul via e-mail. URl is: http//www.msv.org/nampows.html (lower case letters essential). Thanks Paul.
4. The DeeCee area POWs had a Tet reunion last night (February 18) at the Nam Viet Restaurant in Arlington, Va. Attending (based on memory and in no particular order) Paul Galanti, Bob Shumaker, Roger Lerseth, Luis Chirichigno, Joe Mobley, Ken Cosky, Earl Lewis, Chuck Zuhoski, Kevin McManus, Lee Hildebrandt, Len Eastman, Giles Norrington and Marty Schiller plus wives. If I omitted somebody, sorry 'bout that - email me and I'll correct it! Great time had by all. Of note: Joe Mobley was the only acdu type other than two wives - Capt. Chris Picchi, NC, USN (Lerseth) and Eileen O'Hickey, CHC, USN (Norrington). How far we have come....
5. Remember Karen Carey in your prayers tonight. She's fighting a tough battle with cancer. That's it for the network news. CU, Mike

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