Veterans & Military Families Monthly News
June 2010 Vol. 1 No. 3
Good afternoon and
thank you for reading.
Welcome to our third
edition of the newsletter.
I would like to thank
everyone for their help
in the past two months.
We are looking forward
to continuing to build
this idea as time goes
on. Our hope is to
continue to expand the
newsletter, and for that we need your input. So,
again, if anyone has any article topics or wants
to write their own piece, we will gladly try to
work it in. Hope you enjoy, and please let us
know what you think.
Thank you very much!
STEP UP AND LEAD
From: The USO
In 2010, we're calling on the brave
men and women of our armed forces to make
some incredible sacrifices in Afghanistan,
Iraq, and remote locations around the world.
That means you and I need to make an extra
effort to show our support.
One of the best ways to let our troops
know that you've got their back is by
supporting the work of the USO.
Step Up and Lead -- support our troops by
signing up to be part of the USO today.
Freedom is never more than one generation
away from extinction.
We didn't pass it to our children in the
bloodstream.
It must be fought for, protected, and handed
on for them to do the same.
~Ronald Reagan
We would like to express our
appreciation to all of the fighting men
and women in the United States Military.
Thank you for your service to this county.
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Not authorized by any candidate or candidate‘s committee.
520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
In This Issue
USO-Step Up and Lead
History of Taps
Veteran‘s Report-State Breakdown of Benefits
Frontlines of Freedom
Sergeant Vincent Paul Esposito-Part II
LZ Michigan Event
Additional Benefits for Active Duty Time Served
VA Seeks fast Track for Agent Orange Claims
The Heroes Program
Veterans Radio
Old Warrior Camp
Highest German Valor Award
In Closing
History of Taps
From: Sean M. Furr Specialist 4, US Army
Veteran
If any of you have ever been to a
military funeral in which taps was played; this
brings out a new meaning of it. Here is
something Every American should know. Until I
read this, I didn't know, but I checked it out and
it's true:
We in the United States have all heard
the haunting song, 'Taps...' It's the song that
gives us the lump in our throats and usually tears
in our eyes. But, do you know the story behind
the song? If not, I think you will be interested to
find out about its humble beginnings.
Reportedly, it all began in 1862 during
the Civil War, when Union Army Captain
Robert Elli was with his men near Harrison's
Landing in Virginia. The Confederate Army
was on the other side of the narrow strip of land.
During the night, Captain Elli heard the
moans of a soldier who lay severely wounded on
the field. Not knowing if it was a Union or
Confederate soldier, the Captain decided to risk
his life and bring the stricken man back for
medical attention. Crawling on his stomach
through the gunfire, the Captain reached the
stricken soldier and began pulling him toward
his encampment.
p. 1
 When the
Captain finally
reached his own
lines, he discovered
it was actually a
Confederate
soldier, but the
soldier was dead.
The
Captain lit a lantern
and suddenly
caught his breath
and went numb
with shock. In the
dim light, he saw
the face of the soldier. It was his own son. The
boy had been studying music in the South when
the war broke out. Without telling his father, the
boy enlisted in the Confederate Army.
The following morning, heartbroken, the father
asked permission of his superiors to give his son
a full military burial, despite his enemy status.
His request was only partially granted.
The Captain had asked if he could have a group
of Army band members play a funeral dirge for
his son at the funeral.
The request was turned down since the
soldier was a Confederate.
But, out of respect for the father, they did say
they could give him only one musician. The
Captain chose a bugler. He asked the bugler to
play a series of musical notes he had found on a
piece of paper in the pocket of the dead youth's
uniform.
This wish was granted.
The haunting melody, we now know as
'Taps' used at military funerals was born.
The words are: Day is done. Gone the sun. From
the lakes. From the hills. From the sky. All is
well. Safely rest. God is night. Fading light.
Dims the sight. And a star. Gems the sky.
Gleaming bright. From afar. Drawing night.
Falls the night. Thanks and praise. For our days.
Neath the sun. Neath the stars. Neath the sky as
we go. This we know. God is night
I too have felt the chills
Please Support ―Frontlines of Freedom‖ Military Talk Radio
Hosted by Lt. Col. Denny Gillem
You can hear it every Saturday at 1pm on 1260 AM the Pledge (Zeeland, MI),
or by visiting the website at www.frontlinesoffreedom.com
while listening to 'Taps' but I have never seen all
the words to the song until now. I didn't even
know there was more than one verse. I also
never knew the story behind the song and I
didn't know if you had either so I thought I'd
pass it along. I now have an even deeper
respect for the song than I did before.
Remember Those Lost and Harmed While
Serving Their Country.
Also Remember Those Who Have
Served and Returned. Alone with those
presently serving in the Armed Forces.
State Veteran Benefits
- 50 State Breakdown
From: military.com
Veterans pursuing their educational
goals are usually eligible for "educational
assistance for students" in most states.
Educational benefits for veterans and their
dependents, particularly the children of
deceased and disabled veterans, are also
available in some states. Military.com has
developed an online general summary of
educational benefits for veterans and their
dependents. View the full summary by state
here.
In addition to State Veteran Benefits,
Military.com connects you to hundreds of
schools who offer credit for military service.
We would like to express our appreciation
to all of the fighting men and women in
the United States Military. Thank you for
your service to this county.

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 My Grandfather, Sergeant
Vincent Paul Esposito, US Army,
Memorial Day 2010 cont.
Part II
By: Claude McManus Command Master Chief
(Surface Warfare), USN Retired
August 30, 1918, the 106th
Regiment attacked across the
Cheapord Road at Vierstraat Switch.
This area is south and east of
Dickbusch Lake, southeast of Ypres,
Belgium. Captain Hetzel and 1st Lt
York Brennan commanded Vincent
Paul and Company F. The Germans
had been using Chinese coolies to
construct trenches. Company F
attacked the Chinese trenches along
York road, opposite Cheapord Road.
There was very hard fighting in and
about the Chinese trenches.
Readers Note: There are
some issues I think the readers
should be aware. First is that the
American Army considered being
gassed a separate type of casualty. If
it did not kill you, you were
expected to continue fighting. Long-
term effects of gas exposure were unknown at
that time. Since gas exposure presented as cold
or flu symptoms, many gas victims were
suspected of ‗faking‘ the casualty. Another issue
is the discrimination that existed in the Army.
The 27th Division was no exception. The Italian
Americans were considered untrustworthy and
denigrated. The only ethnic group described in
the texts was the ―wops‖ and usually in less than
professional terms. It was expected (in the texts)
that Italian Americans were unable to speak
English and were not brave under fire. Even so
there two exceptional reports of Italian
Americans who were ―the bravest soldiers‖ but
they were described in less than professional
terms. This evidences the animosity between the
We would like to express our appreciation to all of the fighting men and women in the United
States Military. Thank you for your service to this county.
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520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
Irish and Italian Americans in NYC at the time.
After the attacks on Vierstraat Ridge
and the Dickbusch Lake area, south of Ypres,
the 106th was relieved and moved from Flanders
to the Beauquesne, France area. There the 106th
occupied the town of Doullens. Again, the 106th
began to train, this time with a new invention of
the British, called a tank.
On September 23, 1918, the regiment
was moved to the front again. The
Division was to relieve the British
7th and 18th Divisions on September
24. During the night of 23-24, the
106th took position against the
Hindenburg Line. It was decided
that the 106th would take the outer
defenses of the Hindenburg Line by
themselves. Normally, this would
be assigned to an entire army. It
was decided that the 106th
Regiment with F Company at
center front, would attack the outer
defenses on September 27.
The British also planned to
conduct an artillery barrage with
mustard gas delivered by shellfire
for two days starting on September
24. Mustard gas is not volatile; it
clings to the ground, shell holes,
trenches, and wooded areas. It
takes 48 hours for the gas to dissipate. The order
was for the 106th to take Quennemont Farm,
Guillemont Farm and the Knoll prior to taking
the St. Quetin Canal. These farms and the hill
called ―The Knoll‖ comprised the outer defenses
of the Hindenburg Line. The Germans had
constructed miles of underground tunnels,
extensive trench works, and concrete bunkers.
The St. Quentin Canal was built by Napoleon
and had been upgrade by the Germans to include
a mile long tunnel, 300 feet deep in the earth.
The Hindenburg Line was an organized
defense structure built in 1916, constantly
upgraded through 1918. The St. Quentin Canal
and St. Quentin Canal tunnel was the backbone
of a three-trench system, part of the Hindenburg
p. 3
Line. The Germans had erected a huge mass of
barbed wire almost one mile deep in front of the
farms F Company had to take.
Vincent Paul was in the trenches with F
Company, direct center, left, for the first wave of
the attack. 1st LT Alfred Hook and 2nd LT York
Brennan were leading the men on the attack. The
attack commenced at 5:30 AM with F Company
crawling out of the trenches on their bellies, to a
start tape at 4:20 AM. The artillery barrage
consisted of a ‗walking barrage‘ that moved 100
yards every 3 minutes. The artillery rounds
consisted of 50% shrapnel, 35% high explosive,
and 15% smoke. A protective barrage would
fire for 39 minutes against the deep German
lines. Yes, Vincent Paul and the others were
expected to attack behind this rain of exploding
shells. One can only imagine the terror of lying
on the ground in the dark, with the German
flares illuminating the no-man‘s land before
them. He commented once, that when you are
ordered over the top, you went.
Vincent Paul was carrying with him 200
rounds of rifle ammunition, 6 grenades, 4 sand
bags, one pick or shovel, one extra water bottle,
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520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
and his gas mask.
Vincent Paul was at the tape at 4:30
AM, lying in the mud. At 4:30 AM, the 96
Heavy Machine Guns of the Divisions began a
constant firing of 200 rounds per minute over
the heads of the 106th. At the starting tape, the
106th consisted of 2000 men.
When Vincent Paul was given the go,
the visibility was nil due to the smoke shells.
Company F had the target of Guillemont Farm.
Vincent Paul made his way forward, fighting
Germans, dodging machine guns, artillery and
the never-ending mud. At 9:30 AM F Company
took Guillemont Farm after heavy fighting. The
Germans counter attacked at 11:40 AM in force.
There were continuous combats between
small groups of the 106th and the Germans. At 5
PM, the Farm is secure, but the Germans have
underground bunkers and trenches and appear
behind F Company. Consolidation of the
Americans was in doubt since the high casualties
incurred taking the Guillemont Farm left only 25
-30 men at the farm. Vincent Paul was at the
farm, and by this time, he had seen numerous
friends killed and wounded. This included the
LZ MICHIGAN–JULY 3, 2010
WELCOMING HOME
MICHIGAN’S VIETNAM
VETERANS
A wide-reaching statewide effort to
honor Michigan Vietnam War Veterans
culminates in a day of recognition and
celebration of their service and sacrifice for
veterans and their families at Fifth Third Ball
Park in Grand Rapids.
All veterans, family members,
friends and other Michigan residents are
invited to attend. Find more info, event
details, local information and details on the
statewide kick-off at www.lzmichigan.org.
LZ Michigan is a partnership of
Grand Valley State University, WGVU and
the West Michigan Whitecaps, along with an
extensive group of organizations statewide.
p. 4
 We would like to express our appreciation
to all of the fighting men and women in
the United States Military. Thank you for
your service to this county.
successive relief waves from the 105th regiment.
F Company was forced to return to the starting
line. During this battle, the Germans responded
with extensive use of mustard gas. 120 men
were gassed.
Every Company Officer was killed in
the attack. The Division suffered 1,540
casualties in the single attack. That is a 77%
casualty rate. Although General O‘Ryan took a
dim view of the 106th and F Company‘s ability
to hold the Guillemont Farm, he considered
―The 106th had made a record in this battle for
gallantry and determination. ―They reflect great
honor on the manhood of the State of New
York.‖, according to General O‘Ryan.
Survivors of the attack from F Company were
assigned on a provisional basis to the 107th
Regiment. What this means is that there was
hardly anyone left from the regiment. Some
were still outside the line fighting the Germans,
some were dead, and some were evacuated.
Vincent Paul was among the survivors, about
150 men (of the original 2000). As you see from
the numbers, there were a significant number of
men still in no-man‘s land. To be continued…
This publication is available online at:
http://elearn.mrs.state.mi.us/vr/vets/VeteranB
enefits.htm
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Additional Benefits for
Active Duty Time Served
DD FORM 214-SOCIAL
SECURITY BENEFIT
From: Social Security Administration (SSA)
Please share this with anyone who's had
active duty service between January 1957 to
December 31, 2001 and planning for
retirement.
In a nutshell it boils down to this: You
qualify for a higher social security payment
because of Military service, for active duty
any time from 1957 through 2001 (the
program was done away with 1 January
2002). Up to $1200 per year of earnings
credit credited at time of application - which
can make a substantial difference in social
security monthly payments upon your
retirement. You must bring your DD-214 to
the Social Security Office and you must ask
for this benefit to receive it! Social Security
website: http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.
htm this is something to put in your files for
when you apply for Social Security down the
road... It is NOT just for retirees, BUT
anyone who has served on active duty
between January1957 to December 31, 2001.
FYI - this benefit is not automatic, you must
ask for it!
VA seeks fast track for
Agent Orange claims
By: Department of Veterans Affairs
WASHINGTON (Army News Service,
March 9, 2010) -- The Department of Veterans
Affairs announced today a new initiative to
solicit private-sector input on a proposed "fast
track" veterans' claims process for service-
connected presumptive illnesses due to Agent
Orange exposure during the Vietnam War.
"This will be a new way of doing
business and a major step forward in how we
process the presumptive claims we expect to
p. 5
receive over the next two years," Secretary of Related Links for More Information
Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki said. "With
Veterans Affairs Web site
the latest, fastest, and most reliable technology,
VA hopes to migrate the manual processing of Agent Orange VA Web site
these claims to an automated process that meets pertinent information is gathered, VA will be
the needs of today's veterans in a timelier able to more quickly decide the claim and
manner." process the award, if granted.
Over the next two years, about 200,000 The contract is expected to be awarded
veterans are expected to file disability in April with proposed solutions offered to VA
compensation claims under an historic within 90 days. Implementation of the solution
expansion of three new presumptive illnesses is expected within 150 days.
announced last year by Shinseki. They affect "Veterans whose health was harmed
veterans who have Parkinson's disease, ischemic during their military service are entitled to the
heart disease and B-cell leukemia. best this nation has to offer," Shinseki said. "We
In practical terms, veterans who served are undertaking an unprecedented modernization
in Vietnam during the war and who have one of of our claims process to ensure timely and
the illnesses covered by the "presumption of accurate delivery of that commitment."
service connection" don't have to prove an Last year, VA received more than one
association between their medical problems and million claims for disability compensation and
military service. This "presumption" makes it pension. VA provides compensation and pension
easier for Vietnam veterans to access disability benefits to more than 3.8 million veterans and
compensation benefits. beneficiaries. Presently, the basic monthly rate
Vietnam veterans are encouraged to of compensation ranges from $123 to $2,673 to
submit their claims as soon as possible to begin veterans without any dependents.
the important process of compensation, Disability compensation is a non-
according to VA officials. taxable, monthly monetary benefit paid to
Along with the publication of proposed veterans who are disabled as a result of an injury
regulations for the three new presumptive this or illness that was incurred or aggravated during
spring, VA intends to publish a formal request in active military service.
Federal Business Opportunities for private-
sector corporations to propose automated
solutions for the parts of the claims process that
The Heroes Program
take the longest amount of time. VA believes
these can be collected in a more streamlined and By: Sandra Eggers Family Service Counselor
accurate way. Oakland Hills Memorial Park Novi, MI
Development involves determining what
additional information is needed to adjudicate Introducing
the claim, such as military and private medical The Heroes
records and the scheduling of medical Program We can
examinations. never fully repay
With this new approach, VA expects to you for the
shorten the time it takes to gather evidence, sacrifices you and
which now takes an average of more than 90 your family have
days. Once the claim is fully developed and all made for us. But in
our heart of hearts
we knew we had to
We would like to express our appreciation
do something. So we created The Heroes
to all of the fighting men and women in Program. Through The Heroes Program, you as
the United States Military. Thank you for a military veteran can secure your choice of
your service to this county. burial space in one of our 29 Michigan
cemeteries for only $100. With 29 locations in

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 We would like to express our appreciation to all of the fighting men and women in the United
States Military. Thank you for your service to this county.
the Detroit, Saginaw, Ann Arbor / Plymouth,
Jackson and Grand Rapids metropolitan areas
and in the Upper Peninsula, you are certain to
find a cemetery conveniently located for you.
By participating in The Heroes Program,
you and your family will be protected when the
time comes. They will have one less decision to
make during the most difficult time of their
lives. With The Heroes Program, you and your
family will have peace of mind. To learn more
how The Heroes Program can benefit you and
your family, contact me, Sandra Eggers, at:
248-349-2784 or email me at:
seggers@midwestmemorialgroup.com I will get
in touch with you to schedule your personal
consultation, so that I can review the benefits of
The Heroes Program with both you and your
spouse.
Receive Your Free Gift and as my
thanks to you for scheduling this consultation, I
have a complimentary gift for you. It‘s our
Personal Planning Portfolio. The Personal
Planning Portfolio organizes information on
your important documents -- wills, trusts,
investments, social security benefits, etc. These
are the 67 items your loved ones will need at the
time of your death; they will now be at their
fingertips. That‘s real peace of mind, too. I look
forward to hearing from you soon.
Veterans Radio
By: Gary Lillie, MCB3, Chu Lai, RVN '66
"The show no sooner ended when my
son phoned me and said: 'Dad, I learned a lot
about you today during your Veterans Radio
interview. I just want to say thank you for what
you did over there and thank you for being my
father.'" —An email sent from a guest on
Veterans Radio
It began for Dale Throneberry when he
sat in the garage of a World War II vet. Dale
was an independent insurance agent and on a
visit to one of his clients; an old man who was
dying. Throneberry had called on him to help get
the man‘s affairs in order. When he arrived he
was asked to sit with the man in his garage.
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There hung a large banner with the
famous logo of the 101st Airborne Division, a
―Screaming Eagle.‖ There were many other
keepsakes brought back from the war and the
old man‘s service to our country. The man began
to talk of his experiences as a paratrooper, which
held Dale spellbound. His wife later said, ―He
has never told those stories to anyone.‖
It wasn‘t long before another WWII vet
shared his own stories, this time of the Pacific
campaign; stories that were equally
captivating.―What a shame no one will ever hear
them,‖ Dale thought to himself - and the dream
of Veterans Radio began.
Dale and those two men had a common
bond – that of combat. From 1968 to 1969
Throneberry served in Vietnam as a helicopter
pilot with the U.S. Army's 195th Assault
Helicopter Company in Vietnam. He had hair-
raising stories of his own tucked away.
The more Dale thought of those old men
the more he also thought of his father, who had
died when Dale was just 15. His dad had served
in the Coast Guard on an LST (Landing Ship
Tank) in WWII. While he knew his dad had
been awarded the Bronze Star for valor during
the invasion of Iwo Jima, he did not know why.
How many more stories would remain
untold as millions of veterans died; not just the
WWII veterans, but those of the Korean War,
Vietnam, and all of those small but deadly wars
between? Even veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan
have died after leaving the military. War is hard
on your health, during and after.
As Dale pondered the viability of a
program called Veterans Radio his employer cut
commission rates once again. He and fellow
agent, Robert ("Bob") Gould went out for a
drink to share their disgust with the company.
They made threats to each other to quit and find
other work. Dale told Bob about his dream of a
radio program for veterans. Bob, who himself
had served in the ―Screaming Eagles,‖ stuck out
his hand and said, ―I‘m in!‖
The wheels had been set in motion. On
Nov. 15, 2003, the first program of Veterans
Radio aired on a small country station near Ann
Arbor. The early programs were on-the-job-
p. 7
training in a studio that was more of a home to
cats than to a radio crew. While discussing
veterans affairs or interviewing a guest they
would sometimes experience a dramatic change
in volume as a cat jumped on the control board
and hit the sound button. Once they frantically
tried to figure out why they were not going out
over the air, finally discovering that cat hair had
insulated the contact points of a switch.
Not only did the early days provide them with
OJT, but a good deal of crisis management.
Within a year Veterans Radio found a
new home and a few years later yet another;
each time moving up in quality. Not long after
the first move, when money was needed to keep
the program on the air, Dale approached Seabee
veteran and commercial real estate broker Gary
Lillie, requesting a donation of $10,000. Gary
said, ―Okay – but I won‘t donate it. I won‘t loan
it either, because I‘ll never get it back. But I‘ll
invest it – I want in. I want to be a part of
Veterans Radio.‖ And so the current team was
rounded out.
Crew member Ken Rogge, who had retired from
the Air Force after spending years in Armed
Forces Radio, later resigned and became
voluntary marketing director for the local Pride
and Honor Flights; a charitable organization that
flies WWII vets free of charge to see the WWII
Memorial located on the National Mall, between
the Lincoln Memorial and Washington
Monument.
Being veterans themselves,
Throneberry, Gould, and Lillie are dedicated to
Veterans Radio, but work other jobs to support
themselves. As Lillie says, ―Veterans Radio is
our passion, not our profession.‖
While they are at the break-even point
they would like to expand Veterans Radio to
other stations and do more remote broadcasts. In
order to do so they must pay for more air time
and buy more equipment, so are always fund-
raising and looking for sponsors and/or donors.
One such benefactor, Mr. Anonymous, sends a
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520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
check for $1,500 every quarter.
Throneberry earned a bachelor's degree
in education and master's degree in
communication from U-M in 1973 and 1975;
Gould earned U-M degrees in 1976 (bachelor in
general studies) and 1981 (master's degree in
education). Gary says his education was
compliments of his rich uncle, Sam, who sent
him to Vietnam to study applied construction
techniques.
The show features a wide variety of
guests; veterans, authors, bureaucrats and
politicians. Occasionally an important issue such
as Agent Orange, Health Care, PTSD,
homelessness, disability claims and other issues
critical to the veteran is covered in depth, but
most programs tell the stories of ―Ordinary
people, doing extraordinary things.
The program steers clear of conflict and politics.
The ―stories‖ are first and foremost. With over
20 million living veterans there will never be an
end to scarier-than-fiction, or prouder-than-a-
father stories. Pride in what they did, however,
is one of the main problems encountered when
conducting the interviews. Not enough is shown
because veterans are modest.
One example of that modesty is a
helicopter pilot Gary interviewed one Saturday.
―Who was that boring man you interviewed?‖
one friend later asked. Gary explained the man
was extremely brave, but had no idea himself
how brave. It was several years later he learned
from another source that in addition to being
awarded the Bronze Star and Silver Star for
valor, the helicopter pilot, on successive days,
was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross
and Distinguished Flying Cross. Next step up
from the Cross medals is the Medal of Honor.
Veterans will speak with pride about those with
whom they served, but will do all they can to
avoid putting the spotlight on themselves.
Finally, Gary Lillie has learned to
address the problem. When he does the pre-
program interview with the upcoming guest he
p. 8
tells them he has two rules; 1) ―I don‘t want to
hear a lot of modesty flying around,‖ and 2)
―Always remember that what you did, as
extraordinary as it was, you aren‘t the only one
who did it. Plenty of others have and they may
no longer be around to speak for themselves. If
we don‘t tell our own stories in detail, and of
those with whom we served, ours and their
stories will be told by professors and others who
were never there. We owe it to them, especially
those that died doing their job, to tell our stories
– and theirs - with pride and in detail. The public
needs to know what the saying Freedom Isn‘t
Free really means.‖
Veterans Radio is broadcast live on
affiliate stations to four states; and over the
internet around the world. By the emails they
receive they know they have non-American
listeners in places as far away as Scotland,
Brazil, Tasmania, Italy and Europe, as well as
Americans in Iraq, Afghanistan and other hot
spots around the globe. They have even received
on-air phones from most of those countries.
The guests and topics live up to the tag
line, ―Ordinary people doing extraordinary
things.‖ Stories such as the Korean War vet
whose unit was nearly overrun by three Chinese
divisions at the infamous battle of the Chosin
Reservoir. When morning came only nine men
of their reinforced company of 300 were left
alive and eight of them were wounded. The
Old Warrior Camp
From: Hank Fuhs Lt. Col., USAF, Retired,
ANG
This Hunting Camp was built by a
retired Marine First Sergeant with the primary
purpose of facilitating the ―Wounded
Warriors‖ as they begin their Journey back to
Civilian Life. The First Sergeant is the
Commander of the Disabled American Veteran
(Manistique Chapter 26) He is also 100%
totally disabled.
There is no cost to vets…Bring a Valid
Michigan Hunting License and your sleeping
bag. Contact Bob Blevins at (906)-477-0025
for dates and times available.
Paid for by the Michigan Republican Party with Regulated Funds.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate‘s committee.
520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
We would like to express our appreciation
to all of the fighting men and women in
the United States Military. Thank you for
your service to this county.
guest only lived because the minus 40-50 degree
temperatures froze his wounds and stopped his
bleeding. After fighting five times on the 85-
mile walk back to allied lines, he was medically
treated and turned 16 in a body cast in a hospital
in Japan.
Two World War II men were in the
crew of the destroyer USS Hoel when it was
sunk in the Battle off Samar. Four American
―Jeep‖ (small) carriers with a screen of
destroyers and destroyer escorts were surprised
by a Japanese naval force that included 4
battleships, 6 heavy cruisers, 2 light cruisers and
11 destroyers. The Hoel is believed to have
taken more hits by heavy guns, 40, than any
other ship in modern naval warfare, before
finally sinking with 253 of its crew of 339.
There have been dramatic moments, too,
such as the Vietnam sniper who broke into tears
at the thought of his friends who died in the
battle of Go Noi Island; and the Korean War
veteran who on-air recalled a scene in the battle
of Pork Chop Hill he had repressed for over 50
years.
Then there was the guy who phoned in
when Dale Throneberry did a story on his
father‘s LST. He said, 'Hiya, Dale, I knew your
dad.' And that was it - the tears began to flow as
Dale became nearly too choked to speak. The
man, now deceased, sent Throneberry boxes of
photos of his father.
Guests have included the famous, such
as Chuck Yeager, the first to break the sound
barrier but spoke of his WWII days as a fighter
pilot, Major ―Dutch‖ Van Kirk, the navigator of
the Enola Gay when it dropped the first atomic
bomb, Lee Ermey who basically played himself
as the Marine DI in the movie Full Metal Jacket,
as well as a number of politicians, both veteran
and non-veteran, who work on behalf of
veterans.
Go to http://www.veteransradio.net for
more information or to hear live or
archived shows.
p. 9
 People who are out of range of a radio
station that carries Veterans Radio can listen to
it live on the internet; or they can go to the
Archived Programs on the web site and either
listen in real time, download to a personal
listening device or burn on a CD for listening in
the car or while doing their exercise or light
work.
Highest German Valor Award
From: Denny Gillem Lt. Col., US Army, Retired
The German equivalent to our Medal of
Honor is the Gold Cross Medal. Only 4 German
soldiers have ever received it and no foreign
soldier had ever received it—until 12 May.
On 2 April in Afghanistan a German
Army unit was on a foot patrol searching for
IEDs when they were attacked by radical
Islamists with small arms and RPG fire. Eleven
soldiers were wounded; as the German unit
returned fire, they called for medical evacuation.
The German master sergeant on the
ground noted the sparks coming off the
American medivac choppers from the small
arms fire and could see the RPG rounds passing
around them. No one thought the medevac
choppers would try to land, but they did—it took
multiple tries. One observer commented that he
thought that the crew might take that great risk
to save other Americans—but foreigners? Well,
they did; they got them all out.
So 14 American soldiers now proudly
wear the Gold Cross. They are great
representatives of our nation; their bravery is
unquestioned. And the great American spirit of
caring and giving has again been demonstrated.
God bless our troops.
We would like to express our appreciation
to all of the fighting men and women in
the United States Military. Thank you for
your service to this county.
Paid for by the Michigan Republican Party with Regulated Funds.
Not authorized by any candidate or candidate‘s committee.
520 Seymour Street, Lansing, MI 48933
Staff
Layout- Matthew X. Hauser (mhauser@migop.org)
Writers- Larry Harr Msgt USAF Retired
Denny Gillem Lt. Col., US Army, Retired
Claude McManus Command Master Chief
(Surface Warfare), USN, Retired
Sean M. Furr Specialist 4, US Army Veteran
Sherry Swann Secretary of Fort Custer
Advisory Committee and Event
Coordinator
Sam Cottle Michigan State Captain Patriot
Guard Riders
Sandra Eggers Family Service Counselor
Oakland Hills Memorial Park
Gary Lillie, MCB3, Chu Lai, RVN '66
Publisher- Hank Fuhs Lt. Col., USAF, Retired, ANG
Military Report is the most comprehensive
military benefits and quality-of-life
newsletter for military personnel and
retirees. Make sure that you and your
colleagues subscribe for this free update
publication. For more information click on
www.military.com
In Closing
Thank you for your service to our country. Men
and Women like you are what make this nation
great.
We hope everyone has a great summer,
and this month we remember Flag Day and the
66th Anniversary of D-Day.
If you have anything you would like
to share, any questions, or have an article
idea, please let me know. You can contact
me anytime at mhauser@migop.org
Sincerely,
Matthew X. Hauser
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