3-23-72

[GWAR]

13870 days,
332880 hours,
19972800 minutes,
1198368000 seconds,
They all roughly equal 38 years,
longer than a good part of you who read this have been alive.
Now, imagine spending that time with your arms tied behind you , your elbows touching and being lifted off the floor by your wrists and hung there, indefinatly.
Or spending it in a three foot square by four foot long "tiger cage" made of bamboo in the middle of a steaming jungle.
Or in a cold damp concrete cell, shackled to your cot as a rat attempts to make dinner of your toes.
As the years go by, it is doubtfull that many, if any at all P.O.W's of the viet nam era are alive. Most definatly the family members hold onto hope of them being alive, I guess its mandatory.
If the cosmic powers that be are at all mercifull, Lt. Dennis Stanley Pike, U.S.N. was killed shortly after his capture in Laos after ejecting from his A-7, I only say that, because I would not wish 38 years
of this on anyone.
Please remember those that are P.O.W. and M.I.A. , urge your congressman, your senator, your
governer, your mayor to make those in power to do something about those unaccounted for, our
warriors deserve better.
And on march 23rd, have a drink in Lt. Pikes honor and send a thought his way.
Ive worn the bracelet with his name on it since late 72, it was randomly issued. Over the years, Ive come to know him.

Thank you for your time.

[BlueStreak]

Awesome! Our POWs have been subjected to manifold atrocities in all of Americas wars. At the very least, they deserve to be remembered and respected.

Thanks, GWAR!

Regards,
Dave

[d-ray657]

Well said. A salute to your faithfulness.

You said that over the years you have come to know Lt. Pike. Have you had the opportunity to communicate with his family?

Regards,

D-Ray

[GWAR]

no, I havent, just by online research have I learned about him, there are a couple of very informative sites about him.
I also had a mission file made of his last flight for the flight sim called "wings over vietnam" The person that made it is very good, and its quite sad when at just the right longitude and latitude, the A-7's engine sputters out, putting you in his predicament, somewhere over Laos.

[Sandy G]

Wow...Sitting here sobbin'...Sad irony is that Vietnam is sorta regarded as one of the emerging economies, sparkling growing cities, breathtaking scenery friendly people...

[Twodogs]

It's a damn shame, the way all the Vietnam troops were treated, but most of all, the ones we just left behind.

[rickr15]

I'm afraid if there were any POW's left over there they would have been buried beyond all finding by now. Couldn't let a little thing like that mess up our current friendly relations.

Kind of a shame how we treat all our veterans. Korea, Nam or current ones aint getting such a good shake either.

[Twodogs]

FWIW many Pioneer stereo products are made in Vietnam.

[d-ray657]

Originally Posted by Twodogs

FWIW many Pioneer stereo products are made in Vietnam.

Fortunately, that doesn't include the ones with wood cases and silver faces. I don't wear Nike though.

Regards,

D-Ray

[finnbow]

Originally Posted by Sandy G

...Sad irony is that Vietnam is sorta regarded as one of the emerging economies, sparkling growing cities, breathtaking scenery friendly people...

Yep. My sister and brother-in-law are now getting in their world travels now that their kids are all grown up, responsible, etc. He has gazillions of frequent flier miles and Southeast Asia is their favorite destination. They've been numerous times to Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and even Burma. They're particularly fond of Vietnam - the food, the people, the sights - all of it.