Are You a Looky-Loo...?

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Sherry Hester (Trasp)

Thank You John L for posting the names. God Bless them all and their family's!! 

Such a sad time!!

Ray Marshall

Thanks John L. Our rhs1962 website shows Fate Sanders was a member of our graduating class. I recall years ago someone mentioned to me that he had been killed in Vietnam. 

I’m wondering if Fate Sanders is actually Julius M. Sanders who is shown on your list of Roswell guys killed in VN. I sent today an e mail to a person at Roswell Indep School District and asked if they could confirm if Julius M Sanders graduated from RHS in 1962. If they answer back in the affirmative than Fate Sanders and Julius M Sanders are the same person and he should be given a flag on our website. I’ll post their answer if I get a reply.

I greatly respect all our Vets, those who came back and those who didn’t.

Don Ervin

John, thank you for posting the names.  There is one I know of that is missing from the list.  He is Jimmy or Jim, Agnew from the class of 1963.  Full name James Bethea Agnew.  I am not positive, but pretty sure..

I gave four years In the Navy. Last assignment USS Kitty Hawk a Air Craft Carrier off the coast of Viet Nam.  I saw Men die.  I gave some.  However,

As they say, "Some Gave Their All"

Mack Kizer

John K.  Adams went to the Institute.  He graduated and married Kay Ayers. Class of 57 and the sister of Jimmy Ayers  He Got a commission and was sent to Nam.He was picked up and taken to his headquarters.  About the time he got there there  was a attack on his base and Johnny was killed.  He was a really nice guy.  MK

Patrick Riley

I've always liked war movies and have watched many, many but to this day have never watched a movie on the Vietnam War (Platoon, Apacolypse Now, We Were Soldiers, Full Metal Jacket, Good Morning Vietnam, Born on the 4th of July, etc.) ... that war is just too personal to me (in addition to George, I lost two college friends from California in Vietnam).

I did, howver, watch Ken Burns' 10 part documentary on the Vietnam War released about a year or so ago. Ken Burns can be a bit liberal for my tastes but he does make great documentaries. This one is pretty much fair and balanced. A good watch if you want to gain a great deal of insight into what the "man on the street" was thinking during those strange and regretable times.

I originally watched the series on Netflix (I think) but it seems to be gone from there. You can see it on PBS here (highly recommended):

https://www.pbs.org/show/vietnam-war/

During my college years and beyond, I was a "hawk" on the war. My views have certainly softened. Whenever I meet ex-military personel or veterans of any war, I thank them for their service. My thanks is truly heartfelt. We can sleep well at night because brave young men and women stand ready to die to protect us!

It's plain that this war touched many in our class besides me. I have 5 and 6 year old grandkids (boys) who mean the world to me ... I love every minute spent watching them grow up.

My fondest wish for them and all of us ... "Never Again!"

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

Thank You Patrick Riley for sharing your interesting story!  

Paula Carl (Cowee Miller)

I don't believe that Fate Sanders and Julius M Sanders are the same. Julius graduated in 1940 and was a Marine in Vietnam. I did not find Fate Sanders anywhere on the wall, but I did find W L "Fate" Sanders obituary at LaGrone Funeral home. Fate was a pastor who led many to the Lord. He died in 2019 in Roswell. Pat, I/we don't watch Vietnam movies either. It's just too close and personal. My husband gets too upset and angry when he thinks about the political maneuvering that went on during that time that cost the lives of many more soldiers than it should have. And yet, he is quite proud of his service and the things he accomplished that made him a stronger and much fiercer defender of our country. 

Gerald White

It is interesting to read the comments about Vietnam and the terrible losses from relatives and friends.  I was stationed at Phan Rang Air Base from 1968-69 as an intelligence officer with the 35th Tactical Fighter Wing.  We lost a lot of good aircrews that were doing their duty.  I briefed those guys and still think about them.  One of my friends from the class of 1963 is Dave Yates who was an F-4 pilot and was shot down over Northern Laos in either 1971 or 72;  fortunately he was rescued and now lives in Florida.  We met up in the Pentagon several years ago when we were both still on active duty.  A hero in my book.  

Ray Marshall

Paula C. Thanks for clarifying Fate Sanders / Julius M Sanders. I’m glad our classmate, Fate Sanders, was able to live a long and productive life rather than giving it up in 1968 in Vietnam. Thanks again.

Joe Treat

Sad reading about more we lost in Viet Nam.  i opposed to the war, but was drafted into the army but went anyway with few other options.  I was married (and still am) shortly before I left.  Luckily for me, although ttrrained as an infantryman the army needed my skills as a typist (thanks to ms. Pherigo RHS teacher) much more than my skills as a warrior.  So sorry to hear of others fron RHS community who's names have ended up on the wall.  I knew a few others.  I  was relatively safe where I worked, but still had moments of terror when our base was attacked by rockets or missiles.  I worked in Headquarters for 9th Infantry Division.  I remember the generals arguing about the advances into Cambodia.  Some were outraged at the amount of casualties.  Others did not care.  One of the saddest tasks I was given was to inventory and pack up a deceased guys belongings.  He had only been there a few days, but was killed in a traffic accident. There were his letters from loved ones, family, girlfriend, photos of people and home.  Heartwrenching knowing that they were just finding out he would not be coming home.  

Luckily I made it through.  Returned to Ft. Benning with my wife for a few months.  We got pregnant. (He is an attorney in Seattle followed by second son now a physician in Portland. )  I returned for second and better go at getting college degree.  (Anthropology Northern Arizona University '71)

Still opposed to war and not enamored of the military.  Men who served deserve thanks and many benefits.

Stephen Wolfe

Good morning! Vietnam touched all of us in some ways, huh? You can certainly see that in the many responses on this forum. For Don Ervin, it looks like we sailed in the same waters. In deployments to Vietnam in 1967 and 68, my ship USS Jenkins sailed with Kitty Hawk on many occasions. Jenkins was a Destroyer assigned, among other things, to Plane Guard duty 2000 yards astern of various aircraft carriers. We were one of those "small boys", as the carriers called us. Flight Ops on the carrier were very busy times for the tincans as well, and certainly kept us on our toes. 

And for Pat Riley, you mentioned an inability to watch Vietnam movies, and I thoroughly understand that. I stayed with the Navy Reserve for 23 years until I retired in 1989. I had to travel to various assignments along the way and I recall one of those being to Midland/Odessa. One evening in Midland, I decided to go see Platoon. Although the closest I ever came to the ground of Vietnam was anchoring for a night in DaNang Harbor, I found it very difficult to watch that movie. I could not just sit in my seat. I got up and wandered around the back part of the theater, watching I suppose, but it could not have been over soon enough!

My regards to all!   Steve

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

I wasn't going to share but after reading others it brought back so many memory's So I decided to share too! In 1971 We were stationed at Altus Air Force Base in Oklahoma when my Husband got orders to go to Viet Nam. We had 4 children and it was very hard. He was stationed in Cam Rhun Bay. The children and I would send him pictures, letters, gifts and cassette tapes. He was to come home the end of June 1972 but had to stay until September because they were shutting the war down and did not want to send anyone to replace those who were scheduled to go home. When we finally found out when he was coming home we decide to meet him in Roswell. A few days before we were to leave for Roswell our Daughter (Daddy's Girl) had a Ballet Recital and didn't want to go to the recital because she thought we were going to be late to pick him up in Roswell. How Small Children think, HUH! At the time I did not watch much TV or let the children watch either. One Day his Mother called and ask if I had seen where they had bombed his base. I said no. I did not tell the children and just prayed we would get news from him that he was OK. We did and He Was. He and I don't think he was the same when he came home. He retired after 22 years. This summer he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's it is moving quite rapidly. The children have wondered if the "War" could have been some what responsible. Well we will never know!

Don Ervin

Steve if you followed the Kitty Hawk.  Maybe you recall getting caught in the back end of a typhoon.  We were taking water over the bow (86 feet) and I recored waves over 55 feet.  I felt sorry for us until I looked over at the desroyers.  They were taking water over their stacks.

When got back into port I talk to one of the guys and ask them what they did.  He told me they strapped  in their bunks and just rode it.  I ask how they went to the head(bathroom).  He said it was easy. just slide down the vomit when bow went down and slide back on the vomit when sthe stern went down.

Charline Lake

Wow, Sherry.  Amazing story.  

Stephen Wolfe

Don, I'm not sure if it was the same typhoon, but I recall leaving Yokosuka early in order to get ahead ot Typhoon Bess. We didn't and ended up in the middle of it. Seems like there was another the next year or so, and I was on the bridge and we took "The Roll!" To this day, shipmates remember that. We rolled to starboard and it felt like - "Well this is it! The ship's not going to right itself! Our graves are going to be the Pacific Ocean!" After the watch was over, I went below and our stuff was scattered all over the deck....everything! 

We were pretty used to water over the bridge - it was called - but anytime we were in high seas and in the company of a carrier, the Admiral ('cause you guys always had an Admiral!) would ask over the net "How are Small Boys riding?" The Jenkins OOD had specific Captain's orders to wake him if we were asked that question. I don't care if we were getting KILLED by the sea, the response to the Admiral was always - always -"Jenkins is riding fine, Sir!" 

Sorry, I'm telling sea stories. But I loved sea duty on a small vessel. If I could go to sea today, I would! 

John Landess

Sea Stories, huh!!

I had several friends on the Coral Sea (CV43) and they said it wasn't considered rough until there were white caps in the urinals!!!

Mettie Cummins

Thanx, John, for going to the virtual wall and reading about my Brother, Rudy and my Dad, too. I have seen the traveling wall in several places including Roswell and in Bakersfield, California but not sure ai have visited the virtual wall. I will have to check that out. Thank you Charline. 

Paula Carl (Cowee Miller)

Sherrie, thank you for sharing your story. I didn't know my husband before the war but he tells me that it changed him dramatically. I'm so sorry that you and your family are going through such a devastating disease with your husband. My prayer is that the Lord gives you His strength as you travel this difficult  road. 

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

Thank You Charline and Paula for your reply's! I guess we all have our own Story's HUH!! 

Pat Sullins (Carpenter)

I'm very sorry to report that David's aunt called and said Roy Allen, (class of 1963) had passed away.  David and Roy were cousins.  We are sorry for his loss and ask that you please keep Jacque in your prayers.

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

Pat so sorry to here about Roy! Prayers for all of the Family! 

Mettie Cummins

I am so sorry to learn of Roy's passing. He was a neat guy.He shall be missed. 

Lynn Snipes (Allensworth)

Pat, thanks for posting about Roy Allen.  He was such a great person and I know he will always be missed.  Prayers to Roy's and Jacques's families. John and Lynn

Bill Leggett

WE WERE SOLIDER ,The movie, In that movie play by actors, One individual was the door gunner on the helicopter that was the one makeing all the runs supporting the unit. was from RHS 63. The number of classmates that have passed away from Agent Orange RHS 63   The movie was made at  Camp Roberts CA..

Fred Miller

Haven't posted in awhile, but I have been looking in now and then.

Been reading all the moving stories about the Viet Nam war.  My brother, Bob, class of '65, was a medic in the Navy.  He was in a group of 10 Navy medics attached to a Marine outfit and sent to Nam.  He was the only medic that came back alive, and he was on a stretcher.  He had stepped on a land mine while running across a field to render aid to a fallen soldier.  The fact that he was running full tilt was the only thing that saved his life.  He went through years of surgeries and physical therapy, and to this day still has problems with the leg.  In addition, he was poisoned by agent orange, he has had two bouts with cancer as a result.  He suffers from PTSD and bouts of depression, some severe.  

I  hate that we got involved in that endless war.   When I thank any veteran for his service, I always say we cannot say thank you enough times.

<steps down from soapbox>

Fred