In nov.1990 I was asked to make a speech in a DFW suburb honoring the memory of 2 local men who's remains had just been returned home. We were dedicating a memorial to them and all vetrans of america's wars. One of the returned men was Marty Vandenakle. The Vandenakle family asked me to say a few words since I was a pilot in the nam. It was a slightly rainy day and like a movie set of such an event. Appropiately sad and lonely for the occasion.
Using contacts at B ell Helicopter I arranged for the local National Guard to make a missing man fly by in Hueys. There were 3 speakers on the podium that day. The mayor, A Major General, then me. In the sudience were congressmen and senators (both State and national). Desert Shield was in full bloom then, so when you read the speech understand what I was really saying. No More spitting on the troops or leaving them behind. When the speech was over I had one comngressman come up and say " I want to shake your hand" I was honored and am still proud of what I was able to say that day. It went over well because it was from the heart.
Bob T