Folksville News

PO Box 1138, Cornville, AZ 86325

Folksville, USA (Population/Readership 1358)

November 2010

Soldiers and Veterans Reconnect

Cornville resident Gary Chamberlain, Vietnam vet and Folksville Mayor

This summer I embarked on a sixteen week, 9,000 mile driving and cycling trip. I traveled throughout and across the United States to attend four military reunions and other events. I spoke with American citizens in many cities and towns about Cornville Arizona’s unique approach to restoring the beauty to “America the Beautiful” and Arizona.

Cornville and other neighboring communities are addressing the illegally dumped litter on our Scenic Highway 89A between Cottonwood and Sedona, Arizona. The leadership role of restoring the beauty will become that of Rusty’s Morningstar Ranch, a home for adults with autism, on November 20, 2010.

While in Washington DC, I attended an event with hundreds of military personnel who wore their military insignia’s with pride. The “Rolling Thunder” vendor at this event sold military pins, patches, hats and other items creating a beehive of patriotic activity. This was my first trip to Washington DC and to the Vietnam wall listing the names of soldiers who paid the ultimate price.

In Danvers, Massachusetts., after 44 years, I reunited with Dick who lost an arm and was partially blinded from his Vietnam wounds. Dick’s positive attitude and enthusiasm has served him and those who know him well.

Just being around Dick was a great pleasure. He is a reminder of the cost of war plus the price our soldiers pay for the privileges we have in American.

Kokomo, Indiana in August 2010 was quite possibly the largest and most successful Vietnam reunion in the United States. All first-timers were allowed to take part in carrying the American flag during the opening ceremony. This was a very emotional event even for the toughest veterans in attendance. Based on gate receipts, 5,100 participants attended this event.

In Manhattan, New York, I met John Murphy from Yonkers. John is the former President of the 1^st Squadron, 1^st Calvary Regiment. John and I contacted all of the major New York news organizations to deliver press releases about the Cornville, Arizona “restore the beauty to America the beautiful” and Arizona movement. The April 2010, the First Squadron, 1^st Calvary Regiment newsletter told our Cornville story. One “Big Apple” news organization granted us an opportunity to tell our story and we asked them to consider telling our story to the nation.

Branson, Missouri is the meeting place for the 1^st Squadron, 1^st Calvary Regiment, B Troop reunion. In 1967, we were a group of boys who became men. We had trained at Fort Hood, Texas, shipped on the General Nelson M. Walker and went into battle in Chu Lai, Vietnam together. Several veterans who replaced our original unit members in Vietnam were present. The Radisson Hotel proudly honors all veterans with hundreds of veteran’s photographs on display and a room dedicated to many of our American Medal of Honor winners. Jim Taylor, one of our own B Troopers is included.

Lombard, Illinois hosted the Americal Division reunion and the 1^st Squadron, 1^st Calvary Regiment reunion for Vietnam era veterans. The 1^st Squadron, 1^st Calvary Regiment were honored to have Command Sergeant Major David Davenport and Command Sergeant Major McGuire who spoke about Fort Bliss, Texas, the history of the Dragoon’s and Blackhawks whose motto AMINO ET FIDE, (Courageous and Faithful) makes one very proud to be part of this history. Those in attendance shared stories of Vietnam, civilian life, renewed old and established new friendships.

Gary Chamberlain
Editor Folksville News
FolksvilleUSA@gmail.com
FolksvilleUSA.com