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News for Gold Star Families
31 December 2011
First of all, Happy New Year. I just sent out an informational email regarding the upcoming reunion. If you did not receive it please send me your correct email address and I will insure you get one. Also, check out the Reunion website at
When you get there, click on the "Reunion" link which will take you to the pages to register for the reunion. We are really looking forward to having a large number of our Gold Star Family members at the reunion.
Don't forget, if you have any questions, comments or suggestions contact me. Blessings to you all.
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15 November 2011
Hi friends, sorry it's been so long since I've been on here, but things have been really hectic. Plans are progressing for our 2012 Reunion in Columbus, GA. You do NOT want to miss it. Ms. Kathy Mosher (sister to CPL Richard A. Bowman, KIA 19 June 1971) has become involved in an organization that might be of great assistance to anyone who has lost a loved one who was serving this great country. It is called TAPS which stands for Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors. Here's a link to their website if you would like to check it out.
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14 September 2011
Dates for Reunion 2012 are set. For all reunion information refeer to the reunion website at
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26 June 2011
Hi everyone! Sorry it has been so long since I have been on here. Just wanted to give you all some updates on the plans for our C Company, 2/5 Cav Reunion. We will be gathering in Columbus, GA in September 2012. The dates have not been finalized yet, but I hope to be able to confirm them soon. This past April, my wife, son and I travelled to Ft. Benning and received a wonderful tour of the area from representatives of the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Columbus. To keep up with happenings on the reunion be sure to check out our reunion page at
We are really hoping for as many Gold Star families to be in attendance as possible. We had four (4) families represented at our 2010 reunion and they can assure you that you will be blessed. If you would like to be put in touch with any of the families who attended, or if you have any questions, suggestions, etc. regarding the reunion, please contact me. My contact information is on the home page of this site. Blessings to you all.
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2 February 2011 I received word last night that Darvyn Brandt (C 2/5, '71-'72) passed away from a massive heart attack Monday night, 31 January 2011, at his home in Blaine, MN. I had the privilege of serving with Darv in Viet Nam. Also, Darv had a heart for the Gold Star Family program. He worked tirelessly contacting American Legion Posts, VFW's and other service organizations in an effort to locate families of our KIA's. He will be greatly missed. A funeral mass will be held at noon on Friday, 4 February 2011 at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Blaine, MN. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 24 January 2011
I just got off the telephone with Mr. Rubin Cowell, brother of PFC Robert B. Cowell, KIA 19 December 1966. He is very excited about finding those who served with his brother. Also, he is a Vietnam combat veteran, serving with the Americal Division 68-69, wounded while walking point in February 1969. If you served with his brother and would like to be put in touch, contact me.
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12 November 2010
The family of PFC James Ronald Bateman (KIA 9 March 1968) shared this beautiful newspaper article recounting their experiences at our recent reunion. This will give you an idea of the healing that can take place when families meet them men with whom their loved ones served.
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19 September 2010
Well, we had an AWESOME time at the reunion in Nashville. We were blessed to have four (4) of our Gold Star Families in attendance. Some of the stories of meetings they had with men who served with their loved ones will really touch your heart. We are already looking forward to our next reunion which is tentatively set for September 2012 in Columbus, GA, just outside Ft. Benning. Hope to see you all there!
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6 September 2010
My family is packing up, leaving about 0830. We're headed south for the Reunion in Nashville. Will spend a couple days in my hometown of Metropolis, IL, then, on to Nashville on Wednesday. Look for updates as we meet with Gold Star Families.
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26 August 2010
Please note that the email address for the webmaster has changed to johnmccorkle@frontier.com
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25 August 2010
Sorry it has been so long since I have been on here. I have been kept busy getting ready for our reunion in Nashville the second weekend in September. We are looking forward to a wonderful time. We have several of the Gold Star families who will be in attendance. I'll be posting photos and information regarding the reunion as soon as I can. Blessings to all.
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24 July 2010
Thanks to Ms. Lauri Bell we have pictures of her Uncle, PFC Angelo Figueroa, who was KIA 6 April 1969 (Easter Sunday)
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14 July 2010 I have found a very informative website for Gold Star Families, it is located at http://www.taps.org/ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 21 June 2010
We have an urgent prayer request. Mrs. Ruth Ann Dopp (wife of SP4 Richard Dopp, KIA 29 June 69) has a great neice, Emma, who is 9. Both Emma and her brother, Nick (age 7) have Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Recently Emma has been experiencing stomach problems and fever and doctors cannot determine cause. Please pray for wisdom for the doctors, peace for the family and the hidden things to be revealed. For more information on Spinal Muscular Atrophy go to this website. http://www.fsma.org/
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14 May 2010
Thanks to Don Demchak we now have a photo of SP5 Larry "DOC" Shepherd on the photo page.
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29 April 2010
We have located the brother of PFC Joseph Marasco, KIA 22 July 1969.
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We have located the brother of PFC Richard Flagiello, KIA 12 May 1969. If you know this man or any of our KIAs for whom we have family contacts, and are willing to speak with them, let me know and I will put you in touch.
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8 April 2010
Again, thanks to one of the letters sent out by Darvyn Brandt, we have located the wife of SP4 Rodolfo Trevino, KIA 15 December 1967.
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7 April 2010 Thanks to one of the letters sent out by Darvyn Brandt, we have located the father of SP5 Larry Eugene Shepherd (one of our beloved Medics) KIA on 29 November 1967. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 29 March 2010
Thanks to the efforts of Jim Stanford we have located the sister of SP4 Henry Fugett, KIA 14 October 1967. Thanks, Jim and so sorry about the earlier mixup.
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I think we have found a sister for PFC Dennis John De Michael, KIA 11 March 1967. I will know for sure next week. Keep those contacts coming. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 8 March 2010
I received an email from SGT Drinnon's sister informing me that there were no injuries in the Hammon, OK tornado, just a lot of property damage. Thanks for your prayers.
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8 March 2010
I heard on the news tonight that a tornado touched down in the western Oklahoma town of Hammon. That is the hometown of SGT Bedford Drinnon who was the last KIA in Charlie Company in
Vietnam on 3 January 1972. I have sent an email to SGT Drinnon's sister to see if everyone is alright. Please keep everyone in Hammon, OK in your prayers. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7 March 2010
I want to publicly thank Darvyn Brandt and Phil "RED" Cremins. These fine C 2/5 Troopers have volunteered to contact American Legions in the hometowns of all our KIA's to enlist their efforts in finding more family members.Thanks guys. Just like 40 years ago, you're still the GREATEST!
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28 February 2010
Special thanks to Darv Brandt who found the sister of PFC Thomas E. Rice (KIA 17 February 1966). Darv found her by contacting the American Legion in PFC Rice's Home of Record. He said they were very helpful in locating the family member. Perhaps you are searching for family members. Try contacting the local American Legion, VFW, Amvets, etc. Let's see how many family members we can find and invite to the reunion in September. Thanks again, Darv, keep up the good work.
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19 February 2010
Plans for our next reunion have been finalized!!!
1st Cav “C” 2/5th Vietnam Reunion Sept. (9th to 12th)Nashville, TennesseeContact TREE 630-587-6450 E mail for information Burgertogo@msn.com Web page: http://sites.google.com/site/charlie25reunionlocator/Home If you have questions, please contact me!!! Hope to see you there.
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17 February 2010
We are now up to sixteen (16) Gold Star Family contacts. The most recent are SP4 Guy Paul Guadagno, SP4 Don Ray McIntire, and SP4 Dennis Hayworth. And people are still working on more contacts. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!
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11 February 2010
Just found another one! We also have family contact for CPL Johnny Mack Tinney!!!
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11 February 2010
To date we have found definite family contacts for twelve (12) of our KIAs. I KNOW we can find more. Please forward any possible information you might have. Thanks and blessings. Here's the list of men for whom we have made contact with at least one family member. If you knew any of these men and would like to contact their family member, let me know and I will put you in touch.
PFC James Ronald Bateman
CPL Richard A. Bowman
SP4 Floyd "Brad" Bradshaw
SP4 Richard Dopp
SGT Bedford L. Drinnon
PFC Lindsey Fonger
SP4 Larry Ross Fox
SSG Roy Edward Gardner
SGT James Hilliard
SP4 Robert L. King
PFC Billy Lane Lauffer (CMOH)
PFC Thomas Strathman
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31 January 2010
Just a few short days ago, Miriam Bradshaw Hunter (widow of Floyd "Brad" Bradshaw, 15 June 1970) received from the US Army, the dogtags which belonged to her husband. Additionally she received various documents related to her husband's service. Thanks to Miriam, I was able to contact the personnel center from which she received these items. I contacted them and told them of our Gold Star Families Program. I said we had several families who would love to find out any further information on their loved ones who gave their life in Vietnam.
If you are a family member and would want to find out if there was any information on your loved one, send a request to the address below.
Total Army Personnel Command
ATTN: AHR-TAPC-PAO
200 Stovall Street
Alexandria, VA 22332
If you would like more information from Miriam on what she received, you can contact her via email - mbhunter52@yahoo.com
Best wishes and God's blessings to you all.
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