Cyndy Day (Savage)

Following the crowd but I have to say thank you too for your service Bill.

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

hi everybody! This is directed to Bill Orr! I too thank you for your service and by chance I was watching the Vietnam show by Ken Burns and was so moved by what I saw! I can't imagine what you endured and am so grateful that you were a survivor! I opposed that war at the time and still think President and Johnson and McNamara were wrong in keeping USA involved for so long! I thank you humbly for your service to our great country and pray that Trump does not involve us in another war with North Korea! God  BLess you Bill and  all of our  VETS  including but not limited to Charlie LaFrenz, Jerry Rees, Bill Matthews, Alexandra Keith and any others from the Class of 1961. 👏👏👏👏❤️💋 

Bill Orr

Thanks all!

I have one more thing that has been on my mind for so long. If you are particularly sensitive please delete this.

It goes like this.

Shortly arter the NVA waxed us the remainder of C/1/7 was attached to Delta company and occupying the SW Corner of Hue just outside of the old city. We received an order to proceed approximately 10 KM to a small village and secure it.

As we approached the village a terrible smell filled the air. Cpt Nichols sent two men in and they called back to report but couldn't - they were sobbing. We pushed in and found a massacure of women and children. The political cadre of the NVA had taken the families of the South Vietnamese soldiers and killed them.

They took one family at a time, bayonetted the woman in the heart and then crushed in the heads of her children as they lay next to her. There were approximately 150 bodies.

We were ordered to secure the site until a complete photographic record could be made. In the mean time several troopers moved to the Northern end of the village and were ambushed by a large number of NVA.

We lost 8 KIA and 4 wounded. The log bird took out the wounded and 4 KIA. In the mean time I fired 500  rounds of artillery  on the enemy and 75 rds of Naval gunfire. As darkness fell we were ordered to move to a more secure location 8 KM away. I helped carry one body for the entire night march in rice paddies. When we got to the secure position we made sure our dead were properly respected and then  went to sleep in a hog barn on a pile of hog shit.

None of this was ever reported or discussed in official reports although I know it was completely photographed.

Just had to get it off my mind.

Bill 

Judi Perry

Bill -

thanks, so much for your service.  And to alll others you gave their time & service to our wonderful country.  We have many friends who spend time in Viet Nam and other locations.  We will be going to San Diego in a few weeks  with friends of ours  ( Navy Sea Bees) for their annual reunion.  We have frends that have invited us to this annual reuion. one of the guys we have met at this reunion  spent 7 - 9 tours of duty there - awesome!!  He also was one of the first ones who went to Anartica to build the faciility there.

Again, thank  everyone who served in the military for our wonderful country.  Also for those who serve  (or served) in the Police Force, Firemen and Counfy Sheriff Dept.

JT was in the Coast Guard - I am partial to them - we are both in the Coast Guard Auillary.

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Hi Everbody: Just in case you didn't get my email yesterday I want you all to know that Brad Keester passed away yesterday morning, Wednesday, October 18, 2017. He had a very rapidly progressing dementia and about two weeks ago he stopped eating or drinking. Jeanne, his wife, said that he was a totally different person than she knew. He is at the King-Lynk Funeral home and the visitation is Sunday, October 22nd from 1-3 with the funeral at the funeral home on Monday morning at 10 a.m. There is a memorial established for the North Lee County Hospice. I will be giving a memorial in the name of the Class of 1961 to North Lee County Hospise in memory of Brad. You can leave on-line messages through the funeral home web site which is www.king-lynk.com. The phone number of the funeral home should you need any further information is 319-372-1952.

May Brad Rest in Peace and may God bless his family.

As ever,

Sharon Scholl-Nabulsi

Karan Kreighbaum (Faul)

So sad to hear of Brad Keester''s passing. He was always such an important and loved member of the class of '61. He will be so missed by all of us.

Marcia Conley (Davis)

I am saddened to hear of Brad Keester's passing. It sounds like it was very sudden.  My deepest condolences to his family.

Nan Nelson (Hays)

I'm deeply greived on the passing of my good friend, neighbor, & classmate Brad Keester.  I couldn't begin to tell you how much he has done for me over the years since I lost my husband. I will remember him well . 

Brad Wiedmann

Brad Keester was always a  good person to be around.  He would always bring a smile to our conversations. I have known Brad since grade school and he has always been the guy with the wry grin.  I especially enjoyed his jokes/stories.  He always had a funny comment to make on the golf course right before making a putt.  He will be missed.  I have great memories of Brad and I am better having known him.  Rest in peace, Brad.

Cyndy Day (Savage)

I thought I posted but don't see it.  I am thinking of his family and their loss at this time.  I remember grade school and how long Brad was a friend to everyone, ready smile and joy to have as a classmate.

Marcia Conley (Davis)

Here is hoping everyone had a Happy Thanksgiving.  Time is passing so quickly, we must remember to take time out to be thankful for our blessings. health and family.

Thanksgiving starts my seminar season and goes non-stop except for a brief recess Christmas week to go to Hawaii thru the end of January.  I have 28 seminars to complete in that time period.  February 1, kicks off another Tax Season for me - my 52nd!  Love my chosen profession and plan on going strong for many more years to come.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

I'd like to wish everyone a very MERRY CHRISTMAS & praying for a HEALTHY HAPPY NEW YEAR for everyone, too. We have so much to be thankful for in our lives. Praising God for all my blessings & also, sorrows, as I learn so much through each one. My life is filled with 3 wonderful children, Lisa, Lamar & Lori, 5 terrific grandchildren, Lindsey, Courtney, Caleb, Logan (who was in Kuwait this time last year) & Sydney, & 5 (so far) darling great-grandchidren, Grady 9, Emma 7, Liam 1 1/2, & twins Avery & Abby 6 mos. GOD IS GOOD!!!

Marcia Conley (Davis)

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO EVERYONE!

AS 2017 comes to an end and we celebrate the Birth of Jesus, it is time to reflect and thank the Almightly for Blessings, Prosperity and Peace.  At 74 years old, I am thankful I can still travel and do the things I really enjoy, that I can continue to work at a profession I enjoy and am able to help others and that I am almost recovered from a near financial ruin created by an embezzlement done by one of my children against me.  It has been a long difficult 4 years since its discovery but I am almost debt free and will be in 2018.

I am thankful for my other two children, Brent and Tamara, for their support during this very difficult time of recovery.

In a mere few hours, I will be boarding a first-class flight to Hawaii with my girlfriend of 30+ years for our annual Hawaii Christmas visit.  A very short 4 day trip but so enjoyed by both of us.

Jack Sears

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I think it is impossible to be stressed in Hawaii. 

Jack Sears

Happy New Year 2018 Everyone. Thanks you for all of the birthday wishes. 

Sandra Buckley (Matthews)

Happy "Fat Tuesday" everyone - just a note from eastern North Carolina to say all is well here, but we may have to join Noah and build an arc soon, if these constant rains don't end.  Bill has been OFF the golf course more than ON it !!!  That makes for one unhappy camper.  I know many of you have been freezing your butts off in many places, and we also had a super record setting cold spell in early January - including an unheard of 6 inches snow !  So many beautiful plants and shrubs were killed in these temperatures....sad.

Try to keep up with many of you who are on Facebook and enjoy your pictures and posts of what's happening with you and your loved ones.  Can you believe that some of us have already celebrated our Silver Jubilee Birthdays in 2018 ????  I think Don Leach has just had or will have the next 75th birthday !!!  My feelings about that are "KEEP THEM COMING, JUST AS LONG AS I AM DOING WELL ENOUGH TO KNOW IT'S MY BIRTHDAY !!!"

Okay Sharon, I've done my part to be on the Message Forum, how about hearing from some of the rest of you ?????
 

Cyndy Day (Savage)

It is for sure Mother Nature is in charge and Bill is unhappy with the situation. You are right about the cold too Sandy. My sister in law, not far from Patsy and Bob had been knee deep in snow and cold. Happy Valentine’s day to all. I was thinking about Ft. Madison today already. My mother’s birthday would be today, 115. Now that’s a lot of candles. God bless and happy spring (and for Bill, golfing, to one and all). 

Marcia Conley (Davis)

Just to let everyone know, my 26 yr old grandson was killed over the weekend in a motorcycle accident in Newport Beach..  A car made a left-hand turn in front of his motorcycle.  His name was Todd Anthony Davis,Jr.

Nan Nelson (Hays)

Marcia...so sorry to hear of your loss.  May God give comfort and healing of your spirit. My deepest sympathy to all your family. In my prayers...hugs Nancy

Linda Kirchner (Schrader)

I am so sorry to hear of your loss Marcia, you have my deepest sympathy. I can't fathom losing a grandchild. My heart aches for you. Praying God gives you & your family the strength to get thru this part of your journey. May His love lift you all up & give you comfort.Especially for you, being the busiest time of the year. 

Cyndy Day (Savage)

I am so sorry Marcia. Know you and your family are on our thoughts and prayets

Melinda Lang (Bachman)

Marcia I'm so sorry for your loss.  My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Sharon Tincher (Scholl-Nabulsi)

Marcia, I’m so sad to hear this horrible news! I can’t imagine what you are going through! May your grandson Rest In Peace and May God Bless your whole family! 🙏🙏🙏

Patsy Cordray (VanPelt)

Marcia, I can't begin to tell you how terribly sorry I am to hear about the loss of your grandson. May you have strength and courage during this difficult time. God bless. 

Bill Orr

Marcia so sorry to hear about your loss. Its tough and every member of the family feels for you.  Your larger family of school mates are deeply affected and wish you and yours the best.

Bill