Fort Catamo Honors The American Soldier

Through The Eyes Of The Vietnam Veteran Activist

In Honor Of Our POWs, MIAs, KIAs, WIAs And All Our American Soldiers

Written By Danny Raney

P.O.W...Prisoner of War. M.I.A...Missing In Action. K.I.A...Killed In Action. W.I.A...Wounded In Action.

In the Holy Bible John 15:13 says, "Greater love hath no man than this that a man lay down his life for his friends."

Jesus Christ went on to fulfill this Scripture not only laying down His life down for His friends but by laying down His life for His enemies also. This particular verse may also pertain to a friend laying down his life for another friend, such as a soldier laying down his or her life for a fellow soldier; or in a case where someone might give his or her life trying to rescue a child from some type of mishap such as drowning in a lake or a swimming pool. Another scenario might involve someone losing his or her life in an attempt to rescue someone from an automobile accident.

The above Scripture may even apply to a person who refuses to walk a life based on self but instead walks a life based on the benefit of others. I feel safe to say that the Vietnam Veteran Activist walked that walk in pursuit of his quest to go find out the fate of our American soldiers that were either listed as "Prisoners of War" or "Missing in Action."

Keeping track of the POW/MIA issue was not often a popular issue among Americans. However, to a few it meant everything, to many it meant nothing, and to some it seemed more like a strange and foreign land. But thank God for the few who recognized early on that it was a strange and foreign land that needed to be invaded. Refusing to take the easy path these men and women set forth to conquer and bring light to a dark misconception concerning our captured or missing American soldiers. Mostly soldiers whom had served also, the Vietnam Veteran Activists were gallant in their efforts with determining courage to put the truth out there before the pubic's eyes in order to help our nation gain a measure of understanding about war crimes and tragedies that lingered long after the war was declared over. With the Vietnam Veteran Activist's help compassion and knowledge for the American Soldier "Missing in Action" grew among some but was disrespected and forgotten by others.

Which brings to my mind another Scripture from God's Word, 1 Corinthians 1:18 which says, "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us that are saved it is the power of God."

That particular Scripture depicts two types of people, some of one side of the fence and some on the other side of the fence. So for the most part, for us to find meaning in a cause, we must have a reason or point of interest to support that cause. Still, no matter how important we think our agenda is there will always be those who think our goals are based on foolishness, especially when it involves money to bring back the remains of an American Soldier.

Most of us, including myself were told to "Forget the War" in Vietnam---to forget it ever happened. That in itself was probably not a bad idea. But for the Vietnam Veteran Activist who came to the rescue of the American Soldier his voice echoes these words, "Maybe we are right to have forgotten the Vietnam War, but we should have never forgotten the 'Brave American Warrior.'"

By error of judgement or lack of interest, I, like many others failed to realize that fact for years. I am a person who believes in worshiping God and I believe Jesus Christ was crucified, died on the cross on Calvary so that my sins could be forgiven and that He was resurrected back to life three days later. However, even though I would never put other physical events on the same level as what Christ Jesus accomplished, I do "honor" and "respect" the American Soldier who gave his or her life for my freedom. Like most of us, the Vietnam Veteran Activist understood the fact that an American Soldier gave the "ultimate sacrifice" in order that every American could raise his or her family in a country that cannot be equaled anywhere else in the entire world. However, the "ultimate sacrifice of all sacrifices" is a coat of honor which can only be worn by one Soldier---Jesus Christ Himself.

It is a known fact that tragedy and death see no race, creed, or color. Tears shed by families that grieve are crystal clear and show no color either. Truth is, both black and white American Soldiers have given their lives so that we can raise our sons and daughters in a free country. And many other races have fought under the American Flag also and we as Americans should honor all our soldiers each and every day---and not only on Memorial Day or Veteran's Day.

The Vietnam Veteran Activist recognized the fact that the military families have been robbed of their sons and daughters through lies, manipulation, and deceit---all three traits of the devil and considered in the Holy Bible as forms of witchcraft. This was not only disheartening but also a disgrace. And being an American there is another issue that also grieves my heart and soul and that is, since skin color matters none among American Soldiers on the battlefield then why does the difference in a person's skin color matter at all on American soil?

Only God knows the real answer to the above question and I think He would boldly say, "It is due to the hardness of a man's heart."

Even though we might not understand why war or why prejudice exist in the world efforts and words spoken by the Vietnam Veteran Activist can often soften the hearts of the American public and change public opinion on some critical issues if the people will only stop long enough to listen.

As a family of Americans whether we have relatives or friends who have served in the military we should all hold our heads up high and be proud of the American Soldier fought for such a just and noble cause. And for those who can't be proud of our military I pray that these people will look a little deeper within themselves and try to understand what soldier life was all about and what each one loved and stood for.

These words were from a grieving mother right after her son's skeletal remains had been returned from Vietnam may give a clue to understanding the importance to why we should continue to search regardless of the cost until all our soldiers are returned home and accounted for.

"It's been a long thirty-three years," she said. "Until you really know you never quite give up. I only had one boy and I thought the world of him. Now I can go to the grave and know he's there beside his dad."

Those words of love coming from this mom should move our hearts and help our minds understand what the Vietnam Veteran Activists' vision was all about concerning the POWs, the MIAs, and the fallen soldiers---KIAs. I am sure the Vietnam Veteran Activist would stand tall and salute his fallen comrades and say, "All you young men and women were made in America you fought heartily and bravely for America, and you definitely deserve to be brought back home to America.

In 1959 I witnessed the pain, anguish, and devastation that a family goes through as my mother's 19 year old brother was killed as a result of a jeep accident while he was serving in the United States Marines out in Bakersfield, California. His name was Paul Walton. At the time I was nearly four years old and on the day my uncle's body and casket was to arrive by train I suffered a mishap of my own---an accident involving a car door that took off the tip of one of my fingers. My mother elected to remain with me as I had the pleasure of having the tip of my finger sewed back on; however, this in turn caused her to miss the scheduled time of the train's arrival.

Even at such a tender age I was still able to remember my uncle's funeral. The pain, suffering, and tears brought on by my uncle's death lingered on for many months and then many years. Even though time does ease the pain somewhat, a family member never really gets over such a tragic event. The memory of our loved ones, whether it be a military death or a civilian death will never be erased; the wounds and scars never completely heal. However, for me, it was during those times of heartache and grief involving my family that I was able to relate at least partially to what the families of fallen soldiers go through.

A few years back, a month before Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, my four year old grandson Dayton and me visited the U.S.S. Alabama Memorial down in Mobile, Alabama. Etched on a black marble wall were these words in white letters from a Vietnam Veteran: "Vietnam can only be understood by those of us who were there---And we don't understand it."

Truth is, the American Soldier and the Vietnam Veteran Activist understood early in life what this veteran was expressing with his words that were branded on that monument. And I might have partially understood it because my father fought proudly in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict; but I didn't fully understand this soldiers sentiment until years later.

It was the Vietnam Veteran Activist who recognized the real "saga" in the POW/MIA cause that most of us never knew existed. And if we couldn't understand it back during the Vietnam War then maybe it is not too late to understand in now. Which tells me, if we can't erect a bronze or stone monument in our city honoring the Vietnam Veteran then a least we can erect a monument in our hearts and minds which says, "Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran---We Salute You!"

Several years ago I gave a speech at a memorial for a cousin of mine who served in the Navy during the Vietnam War. His name was Glen Raney. Glen became a Vietnam Veteran Activist who stood up and fought boldly for the cause to find and bring home the POWs and MIAs that were unaccounted for. A couple of years before Glen died he and I began to find a sort of "Common Ground" as we shared a few conversations about our father's military careers and the careers of other soldiers, some of which came home and some of which didn't come home.

Through "Operation Just Cause," an organization that does a tremendous job of keeping of public awareness of the POW/MIA issue, I adopted a soldier whose name was on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. His name is Sergeant Porter E. Calloway. He was from Lillie, Louisiana. Porter is listed as "Missing In Action" but according to the information I received which was soon put on my web page in honor of Porter E. Calloway, his actual status was "Killed In Action." This was in accordance to eye witness accounts from two of Porter's fellow soldiers who said they buried him on Vietnam soil. To this day Porter's remains have never been returned home.

Immediately after finishing the web page I had over twenty-five caps made with Porter E. Calloway's name, rank, and year he was declared "Missing In Action" embroidered on back of each of the caps in his memory. I had always wanted to visit with Porter's family but so far that has no materialized.

Anyway, as my cousin Glen's health began deteriorating more and more I got even deeper involved with the POW/MIA issue but I never came close to accomplishing what Glen and his wife Stephanie did for the cause to bring back the American Soldier.

My purpose for the speech at Glen's Memorial was not to make my cousin out to be someone he wasn't, nor was it an attempt to make Glen out to be some kind of martyr, but the words spoken that day were to let him be remembered simply as a person who saw a positive need to a negative war. A United States Navy Seamen, Glen was a serviceman who, just as his father did before him, served the American Flag with honor. Glen was a person who didn't wish to rewrite the song, but someone who hoped to finish the song for the families of missing soldiers that have yet to come home.

I remember the heading in big bold letters atop the newspaper article a couple of days after Glen's death which read: "Vietnam Veteran, Activist Dies."

The words in the first line were: "A Vietnam veteran active in veteran's affairs and keeping interest focused on the military's missing-in-action has died."

My reaction to that statement is this: "Glen may not be here physically, but his spirit lives on. A man is not dead until he is forgotten." Glen will continue to live as long as the world exists because the POW/MIA cause will never fade away thanks to the men and women who belong to the finest military in the entire world.

Every time that I will read about or hear about another soldier's remains being returned home to the United States, every time that I hear a voice talking about the Vietnam War, and every time that I will see a reflection in my mind concerning the POW/MIA cause then Glen's face will resurface from the depths of my memory.

Keep in remembrance our POWs, MIAs, and KIAs.

Their Fate Is In God's Hands.

The Badge, The Fire At Fort Catamo, And The Holy Bible

Wednesday February 16, 2022: The preacher at the church bought me a hundred Holy Bibles to hand out on the streets of Shreveport. Previously I had handed out New Testament pocket bibles. I would walk the streets and not only handing out the New Testaments but also praying for police officer's protection, praying for the needs of the poor, needy, and destitute people of the community.

This night as I left church I saw two police vehicles side by side. I walked up to the vehicles and recognized that one of the police officers was one I had met in a Walmart Parking lot three nights earlier. I had prayed for that officer after handing him a New Testament. But after the prayer the officer told me that he just didn't let anyone pray for him. He said, "Some people don't know the right Jesus."

I thought it rather ironic that the officer told me that statement after I had prayed the prayer. Then he added that he sensed something was okay to pray for him.

Anyway, this particular night I told the officer that my preacher wanted the officers to have the whole Holy Bible---both Old Testament and New Testament. And a moment later I handed him the Holy Bible and as I did a call came in across the monitor and he had to immediately respond to and emergency. As he left the scene I turned to the other vehicle and prayed for the officer.

I left and headed to Dominoe's Pizza but before I could order a pizza I received a call from a neighbor that my whole backyard was on fire.

I immediately left and starting walking the seven or so blocks to my residence. Never thought for one moment that if my whole back yard was on fire then my house would be on fire also. The whole way I was wondering what I would do with my cats at Fort Catamo.

By the time I got to my house there were six firetrucks blocking the street. Seems since it was suck a windy night that the whole calvary was summoned to the scene. Actually, there were three residences with their backyard on fire. A tree had blown over striking a transformer and a fire erupted and moved down the tree to a utility building. The blaze engulfed several trees after destroying the utility building, and then the fire rapidly moved Neacross my next door neighbors yard at the fence line before hitting my yard and making a 90 degree angle towards my house. A 30 foot path which the fireman put out three feet from my cat sanctuary.

Fort Catamo saved by the grace of God.

The fireman had everything in control so I decided to go back to Dominoe's Pizza. But as I was walking down my street I ran into a lone police officer who had arrived on the scene.

The officer, quite surprised, looked at me and said, "One of these three residences is yours?"

I responded, "Yes."

The officer then said, "When you handed me that Holy Bible is when I got the call to come to the fire at your house."

All turned out well that night, not only for Fort Catamo but for the two souls that were a part of God's glorious testimony.

Isaiah 41:20 "That they may see, and know, and consider, and understand together that the hand of the LORD hath done this, and the Holy One of Israel hath created it."