In Memory of USS Westchester County & Crew of 25

In Memory Of The 25 Crew Members Of The USS Westchester County And Their Families – Ship & Crew Lost On November 1, 1968

As the result of enemy action, on November 1, 1968, the United States Navy suffered it's greatest loss of life in a single incident as the result of enemy action during the entire Vietnam War. At 0322 two very large mines were detonated on the starboard side of LST-1167 killing twenty five.

Most Americans have never heard of the U.S.S. Westchester County, or knew this incident ever occurred. During your visit to this web page you will read the names of those that were killed that morning. You will view Official JAG photos of the aftermath from the November 1st attack never before publicly published. You will hear how a devastated crew fought to avoid an even greater loss of life. And you will learn about the naval history of this great American fighting ship and the many awards she won.

This page is dedicated to the twenty five who lost their lives in the service of this country, and to the preservation of their story.
http://jerebeery.com/Wesco%20Page.htm

The Stardust Family Salutes These Heroes:

U.S.S. WESTCHESTER COUNTY Crew
Killed In Action on November 1, 1968
SA, Jackie Charles Carter
SK1, Richard Certez Cartwright
QM2, Chester Donald Dale
RD3, Keith William Duffy
SMSN, Timothy Charles Dunning
PN2, David Gleasen Fell
ETN2, Thomas George Funke
RM3, Gerald Eugene Booth Hamm
QMSN, Floyd William Houghtaling
SK1, Aristotoles Del Rosario Ibanez
YN1, Jerry Smith Leonard
RM3, Joesph Anthony Miller
RM1, Rodney Walter Peters
YN3, Cary Frank Rundle
RM3, Reinhard Joseph Schnurrer
QM2, Thomas Herbert Smith
CS1, Anthony Richard Torcivia
*
RIVER ASSAULT DIVISION 111
Killed in Action aboard U.S.S. WESTCHESTER COUNTY
November 1, 1968
EN3, Harry John Kenny
*
U.S. ARMY, Ninth Infantry Division
Killed in Action aboard U.S.S. WESTCHESTER COUNTY
November 1, 1968
SP4, Leslie Von Bowman
SP4, Wilfredo Cintron-Mendez
PCF, Ernest Frissel Cook Jr.
SP4, Paull David Jose
SGT, Dennis Kenneth O’Connor
*
Vietnamese Forces
Killed in Action aboard U.S.S. WESTCHESTER COUNTY
November 1, 1968
1- Vietnamese sailor, VNN - (Unidentified)
1- Vietnamese Interpreter, ARVN – (Unidentified)

I served aboard the U.S.S. WESTCHESTER COUNTY from September of 1965 until July of 1967. Several of the sailors killed on November 1, 1968 were former shipmates and friends of mine. The information and photos appearing on this page were compiled by me while researching the Mining Incident for my screenplay "Smoke on the Water". If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. Jere Beery

God Bless America and Those Who Go In Harm’s Way To Protect our Freedom & Our Country – Past, Present, Future!

MILITARY SUPPORT - HOW CAN YOU HELP?

MILITARY SUPPORT – HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Start With America Supports You!

It only takes a few minutes to send a card, a letter, a package or to help with a visit or an errand. To learn more about how you can help, go to http://www.americasupportsyou.mil/ where there are over 150 support organizations listed and waiting for you to get involved.

STAY INFORMED!

SEEK OUT SOURCES WITH REAL NEWS!

STARDUST RADIO – WWW.STARDUSTRADIO.COM

HOME OF CHAT STAR

As it did with so many Americans, the September 11 attacks on our homeland and the following deployment of our troops to the Middle East to fight the war on terror, brought three civilians together in a dedicated effort to show our troops that they have the support of their countrymen. Thus, with money from their own pockets, these individuals launched the radio network called Stardust, which plays locally in Riverside, Iowa on 1630AM and internationally in 80 countries on http://www.stardustradio.com./

Despite terrorist threats, damages to the station equipment from severe weather and lightening strikes, (not to mention having to take on extra jobs to be able to pay the bills), they have managed to keep the station going. With the beginning of the 7th year on air in September 2007, United We Roll will also honor our Hometown Heroes – the men and women of law enforcement, firefighters and medical personnel who are the first responders here at home to preserve our safety, homes and businesses.

The military entertainment on Stardust began with the United We Roll World Tour originally hosted by LadyZB until a sudden onset of cancer took her away from us in 2006 (not very many people could have loved our troops much more than did our Nadean. She even went out in the fields to pick Black-Eyed Peas to help keep the station on and voices from home going to our guys and gals in uniform). The show, which has been hosted by Judi Burns & Jeff Showalter, offers a mix of patriotic music, interviews with deployed troops & a wide variety of guests who work in many different ways to support our troops from songwriting to sending letters & care packages to remodeling homes for the wounded, support for families, Veterans and more. We also share news reports that acknowledge the many positive accomplishments our troops have and are making during their deployments that are not heard on mainstream media. And we now are building our support base to also acknowledge the accomplishments of our first responders and the support that is provided for them and their families. Guests include celebrities, congressman and everyday Americans who believe in standing up for and with our troops. If you know of someone who should be a guest on our show or have a hero story, please email it to Judi at unitedweroll@stardustradio.com

SVR with Jerrell Cook focuses on a variety of Veteran health issues including Project Shad, Agent Orange and Gulf War with many informed guests, including Representative Filner of the Veteran Affairs Committee who has become a repeat guest on the show.

OFFE - with Gene Simes and Jere Beery has been focused on Mandatory Funding for Veteran Health care and have been responsible for this issue to be added to referendums in Illinois and other states have already signed the resolution.

Rick Townsend & The Firebase Network Veteran’s Hour – This show which recently joined Stardust from another station started in January 2000 as a means to inform the public of the deplorable treatment our Veterans receive at the hands of the V.A. and their willing assistants, the Congress of the United States, and nearly all chartered NVO's. Through this radio program we have been taking the Veterans Rights issues to the people, we also provide our Veterans and Retired Military Community with helpful information and a voice to air their grievances.

Bob Calvert’s Talking With Heroes – Look for news after his return from 3rd trip to Iraq

For show schedules, check the Stardust website. Taped copies of the shows that have played in the previous 30 days are also available on the site for listening and downloading.

CHAT STAR brings military family & friends and troops from around the world into the same room for voice contact, videos & more. Military contact http://www.stardustent.com/ for your free invitation to join. Corporate and civilian rates are very reasonable and we invite you to take a tour of the Chat Star community online at the stardust website or call the business office at (319) 648-3201 for any assistance.

MAY GOD BLESS THOSE WHO SERVE & MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!

Welcome Home Maj. Robert Lapham From Viet Nam 10/18/07

WELCOME HOME MAJ. ROBERT G. LAPHAM
FROM VIET NAM TOUR OF DUTY
10/18/07

Air Force Pilot Missing From Vietnam War is Identified

The Department of Defense POW/Missing Personnel Office (DPMO) announced today that the remains of a U.S. serviceman, missing from the Vietnam War, have been identified and returned to his family for burial with full military honors.

He is Maj. Robert G. Lapham, U.S. Air Force, of Marshall, Mich. He will be buried Friday in Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, D.C.

On Feb. 8, 1968, Lapham was flying the lead A-1G Skyraider in a flight of two in Quang Tri Province, Vietnam. The aircraft were alerted to join an airborne forward air controller to destroy enemy tanks that had overrun the Lang Vei Special Forces Camp. After completing one pass on the tanks, Lapham was nearing his target on the second pass when he crashed. The crew of the other aircraft involved in the mission reported seeing no parachute.

Between 1993 and 1998, joint U.S./Socialist Republic of Vietnam (S.R.V.) teams, led by the Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command (JPAC), traveled to Quang Tri Province two times to investigate the incident and interview witnesses. One team also surveyed the crash site and found aircraft wreckage.

In 2003, another joint team investigated the incident and resurveyed the crash site. The team found more wreckage and pilot-related evidence, including Lapham's identification tag.

Between 2004 and 2006, JPAC teams traveled to Quang Tri Province four times to excavate the crash site. The teams recovered human remains, aircraft wreckage and pilot-related items.

Among other forensic identification tools and circumstantial evidence, scientists from JPAC also used dental comparisons in the identification of the remains.

For additional information of the Defense Department's mission to account for missing Americans, visit the DPMO web site at http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo or call (703) 699-1169.

###

May God bless this American Hero and his family with peace and may they know how much this country appreciates Maj. Lapham and those who guard our freedom with their own lives.

Urgent Action Request For Sunday 9/23/07

This message just came in to us here at Stardust at midday today (Saturday 9/22/07). We are passing this information on to you all ......

Families,

We need everyone to come forward and tell your story of your hero. A number of unions will be holding an anti-war rally at the Minnesota State Capitol tomorrow, Sunday, September 23 at 1 p.m. Here is the email they have sent out. We need all our families, Gold, Blue, Vets, and Proud Americans to contact their congressional leaders, newspapers, media (TV/Radio) and let them know we support our troops and the completion of the mission. MN families - call in to The Patriot today! AM 1280 - they need to know/share what is going on so we can get some media attention to how wrong this is. Link to t he program guide: http://www.am1280thepatriot.com/programguide.asp

If you are a member, like myself (Kathy Dunaway) of one of these unions, you need to contact your union and tell them that they do not have permission to speak on your behalf on the War on Terror and that they should stand with our Troops that protect their rights to organize and protest!

We are trying to get a press conference set up for tomorrow. Please watch for another email. Respond to myself and Merrilee that you support us and will contact the union.

We'd also like to get a count of who is in what Union. Please respond using the following email addresses if you belong to that union. Please share this with all your friends who are also members of these unions and wish to be counted in those that do not stand with the union with this protest.

AFSME/ACORN Fed/State/Municipal Employees info@familiesunitedmission.com
AFL-CIO info@familiesunitedmission.com
Minneapolis and Central Labor Councils info@familiesunitedmission.com
Other labor and religious affiliations included in protest info@familiesunitedmission.com

We are working on a plan for Sunday near the capitol - press conference or other. If you are able to attend, please send Merrilee an email so we can know who is available. Merrilee@familiesunitedmission.com

NOTE: We are sending this nationwide, because each state needs to know this is coming - this does not just affect Minnesota! If we get responses to the union offices from everyone involved, perhaps we can pull the rug out from under their feet regarding doing this protest. CALL TODAY !


Thanks,
Kathy


BELOW IS THE EMAIL SENT OUT TO MN AFSME MEMBERS aka ACORN:

ATTN: MINNESOTA ACORN MEMBERS

Unprecedented Coalition Organizes September 23 Rally Against the War
It's not just the usual suspects any more. On September 23 labor unions, religious bodies and non-profits will hold a rally at the state capitol to tell Congress it is time to end the war. Participating groups include: Minnesota ACORN, Minnesota AFL-CIO, the Minneapolis and St. Paul central labor councils, AFSCME, SEIU, the Office for Social Justice of the Catholic Archdiocese, the Methodist Social Ministry Team, the Sierra Club, Iraq Veterans Against the War, Wellstone Action, TakeAction Minnesota, Progressive Majority and more.

No coalition of this breadth has previously come together in Minnesota - nor apparently anywhere else in the country - to end the war. With two-thirds of Americans opposed to continuing the war, and Congress soon to vote on it, this is a tipping point. It is a time to stand up and be counted, and this coalition provides the opportunity to reach out to a broader cross-section of the public than ever before.

The rally - 1:00 pm on Sunday September 23 - will feature Gold Star Mother Becky Lourey and others directly impacted by the war. Please join us at 1:00 pm, Sunday September 23, at the state capitol!

For more information or a ride, contact Brandon Nessen at Minnesota ACORN - 651-642, 9639, Extension 102 -- Kathy DunawayProud Marine Wife kathy@familiesunitedmission.com Families United For Our Troops and Their Mission www.familiesunitedmission.com

Do It Again, Lord

Do It Again, LordMax LucadoSep 11, 2007

This beautiful prayer was shared by Max Lucado six years ago after 9-11. It is just as pertinent today as it was six years ago. I share it with you once again on this special day.

DO IT AGAIN, LORD America Prays Sept. 15, 2001

Dear Lord, We're still hoping we'll wake up. We're still hoping we'll open a sleepy eye and think, "What a horrible dream." But we won't, will we, Father? What we saw was not a dream. Planes did gouge towers. Flames did consume our fortress. People did perish. It was no dream and, dear Fat her, we are sad. There is a ballet dancer who will no longer dance and a doctor who will no longer heal. A church has lost her priest, a classroom is minus a teacher. Cora ran a food pantry. Paige was a counselor and Dana, dearest Father, Dana was only three years old. (Who held her in those final moments?)

We are sad, Father. For as the innocent are buried, our innocence is buried as well. We thought we were safe. Perhaps we should have known better. But we didn't. And so we come to you. We don't ask you for help; we beg you for it. We don't request it; we implore it. We know what you can do. We've read the accounts. We've pondered the stories and now we plead, "Do it again, Lord. Do it again." Remember Joseph? You rescued him from the pit. You can do the same for us. Do it again, Lord. Remember the Hebrews in Egypt? You protected their children from the angel of death. We have children, too, Lord. Do it again. And Sarah? Remember her prayers? You heard them. Joshua? Remember his fears? You inspired him. The women at the tomb? You resurrected their hope. The doubts of Thomas? You took them away. Do it again, Lord. Do it again.

You changed Daniel from a captive into a king's counselor. You took Peter the fisherman and made him Peter an apostle. Because of you, David went from leading sheep to leading armies. Do it again, Lord, for we need counselors today, Lord. We need apostles. We need leaders. Do it again, dear Lord. Most of all, do again what you did at Calvary. What we saw here last Tuesday, you saw there that Friday. Innocence slaughtered. Goodness murdered. Mothers weeping. Evil dancing. Just as the smoke eclipsed our morning, so the darkness fell on your Son. Just as our towers were shattered, the very Tower of Eternity was pierced. And by dusk, heaven's sweetest song was silent, buried behind a rock. But you did not waver, O Lord. You did not waver. After three days in a dark hole, you rolled the rock and rumbled the earth and turned the darkest Friday into the brightest Sunday. Do it again, Lord.

Grant us a September Easter. We thank you, dear Father, for these hours of unity. Christians are praying with Jews. Republicans are standing with Democrats. Skin colors have been covered by the ash of burning buildings. We thank you for these hours of unity. And we thank you for these hours of prayer. The Enemy sought to bring us to our knees and succeeded. He had no idea, however, that we would kneel before you. And he has no idea what you can do. Let your mercy be upon our President, Vice President, and their families. Grant to those who lead us wisdom beyond their years and experience. Have mercy upon the souls who have departed and the wounded who remain.

Give us grace that we might forgive and faith that we might believe.And look kindly upon your church. For two thousand years you've used her to heal a hurting world. Do it again, Lord. Do it again. Through Christ, Amen. Max Lucado

United We Roll World Tour Show 9/11/07

Our United We Roll World Tour show today began with a musical tribute to September 11, 2001 and to those who lost their lives, who lost their loved ones and to the many everyday people who became Heroes on that fateful day. We also began our first segment of Hometown Heroes on this day of 9/11/07, where we will recognize those who are the first responders in our neighborhoods and our cities – the police and law enforcement members, the firefighters and the EMS/medical personnel.

We had three wonderful interviews with our guests today:

*Joe O’Brien of The Moonshiners – The co writer of The Boys & Girls In Blue and member of The Moonshiners band, who play such beautiful music at so many functions for the NYPD www.myspace.com/moonshiners Joe comes from a family of New York policemen and his understanding of the pain felt by so many by the attacks in New York City makes this song even more special.

*Carol Kana with Give2TheTroops -- an organization focused on keeping letters, cards and care packages going to our deployed troops so that they always know that they have support from home and people who care about them. If you or someone you know could use some support, or you would like to help by sending your own letter or donations for postage, just go to their website. http://www.give2thetroops.org/

*Dennis Griffee, Nat’l Commander of the Iraqi War Vets Org & Afghanistan War Vets Org – The volunteers in this group have made it THE place for any Iraq or Afghanistan Vet to go to get immediate help & support and to be put in touch with those who can help to resolve issues on a long term basis. http://www.iraqwarveterans.org/

In order to present a musical tribute to September 11th on our show today, it took the right kind of music and lyrics. The pieces that were found were by both well known artists and those only known in their local areas. Below is a list of the pieces that were selected for this show and where you can find them to listen or download the MP3’s.

#1) Rowan Bagpipes mp3 - Chicago PD Pipes & Drums www.pdcpd.org/music.htm

#2) Hero – Enrique Iglesia www.jontzen.com/tribute.htm

#3) Only Time mp3 – Enya www.jontzen.com/tribute.htm

#4) One More Day - Diamond Rio www.jontzen.com/tribute.htm

#5) We’ll Remember You mp3 – Unknown www.jontzen.com/tribute.htm

#6) United We’ll Stand – Patricia Welch - www.patriciawelch.com/

#7) The Boys & Girls In Blue www.myspace.com/moonshiners

#8) God Bless America – Patricia Welch http://www.patriciawelch.com/

Other songs that were selected for this show, but were not able to be on the show due to some technical issues - but that will be on next week are:

#9) The Legacy – Doug & Pam Champagne, Ottawa, Canada http://www.thelegacy.ca/

#10) We’ll Remember You mp3 – Unknown - www.jontzen.com/tribute.htm

#11) The least We Can Do) –Aubrey Ray Hobson www.cdbaby.com/arhobson

As always, Jeff and I felt honored to be able to bring the music and voices today from home to our deployed troops and to our listeners wherever they are. On this date in particular, we again renewed our promise to keep this show going for our military members, our military families and our Veterans – and now for our Hometown Heroes, too. And we renewed our promise to stand up with our troops whenever they need us.

We are starting our 7th year this month here at Stardust Radio in our support of our troops and of those organizations and individuals who also support our troops. We implore that our listeners and Americans across the country step up and speak out on behalf of our military. Many cannot speak out for themselves as they are currently in harm’s way as they protect our freedom and our streets from terrorists or they are in a hospital bed, trying to recover from injuries they received while on duty against those who attacked our country on September 11th and more.

Stand Up - Speak Out - Be Silent No More!

God Bless You All & God Bless America!

Judi & Jeff

New Book "Pentagon 9-11" Now Available

From a DOD release dated September 10, 2007:

The Department of Defense has announced today that the Historical Office of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, in collaboration with the Naval Historical Center and with the assistance of the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps historical offices, has published a detailed, carefully documented history of the Sept. 11, 2001, attack on the Pentagon.
Copies are available today for sale from the U.S. Government Printing Office at 1-(866) 512-1800 or online at http://bookstore.gpo.gov/collections/pentagon911.jsp .

"Pentagon 9/11"is the most comprehensive account to date of the attack and its aftermath, examining both the impact of the deadly assault on the Pentagon building and its occupants and the compelling rescue and recovery effort that followed.

Five authors, led by Office of the Secretary of Defense Historian Alfred Goldberg, worked from more than 1,300 oral history interviews to produce a sweeping narrative in words and pictures, including many previously unpublished photographs, that provides graphic testimony to the scale and force of the attack and the strength and courage of survivors, rescuers, and responders who fought the fires, ensured security, and cared for the dying and injured.
Publication of this important volume coincides with the sixth anniversary of the Sept. 11 attack.