Are You a Looky-Loo...?

The message forum is an ongoing dialogue between classmates.

These are random subjects, topics, and trivia.

Forums work "when" people "participate" so "don't be just a "Looky-Loo"! 

Click the "Post Message" button to add "your" comments to the forum!

You'll be "glad" you did!

Charline Lake

Wow, Fred.  Respect and love to you and him.  

Kay Schrimsher (Shields)

Such sad news about Roy.  I have such fond memories of him and good times we shared.  

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

Fred, God Bless your Brother! Most people do not really realize what those young military Men and their families went through. At that time They seemed to ridicule and berate them so they were not given the respect and acknowledgement they did deserve! Sad Times!  

Diane Alley ((Webb))

Yesterday I was notified the our friend,Bill Atchley (RHS 60) has lost his years long battle with cancer.

I first met Bill in 1959 when he needed an accompanist for his sax solo. That was the start of a llifelong friendship. As he became an accomplished professor of Genetics and Statistics at several Universities he always kept his love of New Mexico and music. He is survived by his wife Erika, daughter Wilinda and her son, Killian. A formal obituary will be posted later. 

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

Diane Alley. I am so sorry to hear about Bill. Prayers and Blessings go Out to His Family!! 

Paula Carl (Cowee Miller)

So sorry to hear of Bill's death. I didn't know him well, but he and my older brother were friends. 

Rex Booth

Diane

I'm sorry to hear about the loss of your friend Bill Atchley. Bill (RHS '60) was with me in Band my Sophomore year. Bill played a great saxophone! I'm wondering if Bill ever found Beth McClure as he had requested a few months ago...  

Don Ervin

A couple of days ago I read a article from a Dr.  He said, that he had felt very tired.  The he got a dry caugh and took off for the hospital.  He had Covoid, but a lighter case.  So if this happens to you.  Go to the hospital.  Please.

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

Don and Tamara Thank-You! Good advise! 

Rex Booth

As everyone on this forum is free to post their opinion... I however, would advise some caution before following any unsubstantiated claims made by the AAPS who appear to have an ultra-conservative political agenda regarding Covid 19.  As Joe Friday once said: "Just the facts, Ma'am... nothing but the facts"...

https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/association-of-american-physicians-and-surgeons-aaps/

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Association_of_American_Physicians_and_Surgeons

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

Rex, Thanks to you too! Good advice also! 

Rex Booth

For those age 60+ and over, I’m not convinced home remedies, homeopathic treatment, and/or other alternate health treatment is advisable to treat Covid-19.  Most of our classmates are above 70 years of age. I echo Don Ervin. Go to the hospital for professional treatment… if one has any real common sense. That goes along with avoiding the temptation to drink Lysol or by injecting or otherwise ingesting disinfectants, which are highly toxic.

Rex Booth

The CDC (Center for Disease Control) provides guidlines on Covid-19 for steps to take if one thinks they may be ill. 

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/if-you-are-sick/steps-when-sick.html#:~:

Bill Leggett

I hope you’re doing well. I’m reaching out to encourage you to stay safe this holiday season.

COVID-19 has affected our lives for most of this year. Many people are wondering if it’s safe to travel or gather with family and friends. Currently, COVID-19 infection and hospitalizations are on the rise in many parts of the country,  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that traveling increases your chances of getting and spreading the virus.

Staying home, meeting virtually online, and avoiding gatherings with those outside your household is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.

If you do get together with others outside your household, you can take these steps to reduce the risk of getting or spreading the virus.

- Keep any events small with no more than 10 people or 2 households.
- Gather outdoors especially when eating or drinking when masks need to be removed. When indoors, open windows and doors to increase airflow.
- Maintain at least 6 feet of distance from those not in your household.
- Encourage everyone to wear a mask.
- Keep gatherings to shorter periods of time.
- Skip any hugs or kisses this season.
- Avoid crowds, such as at restaurants or bars.
- Avoid sharing food and serving utensils.
- Avoid contact with anyone who’s sick (and isolate at home if you’ve been in contact with anyone who has COVID-19 or the flu).

Even with these modifications, gathering with a small group of others outside your household you‘ve been interacting with can still carry enormous risks.

Having a negative COVID swab test isn’t a guarantee that a person isn’t contagious at the time of the gathering. Exposures can occur after the test has been performed. It doesn't prevent you from getting and spreading the virus.

This year, COVID-19 and flu viruses will be spreading at the same time, so it’s more important than ever to get your flu shot to stay healthy.


Holidays are a time to celebrate and find joy. I also want you, your loved ones, and our communities to stay healthy.

Joe Treat

Vets, If you were anywhere that you might have been poisoned by Agent Orange and have any of the listed conditions, such as prostate cancer other cancers or several other conditions, be sure to check into compensation from the VA.  The compensation is quite generous.  You can do this on line or with the local VA office.

Paula Carl (Cowee Miller)

Joe, thank you for reminding our vets about Agent Orange. My husband has Parkinson's disease induced by Agent Orange. Also, if vets were in the Navy and near Vietnam, they need to check and see if they may be due some disability. I think that program is called Blue Water and was just approved this year. Also remember that if your spouse has a certain percent of disability, then you may be eligible for certain advantages such as ChampVA. Happy Thanksgiving class of 1962!!

John Landess

I am wishing all, a Safe and Happy Thanksgiving. Even with all 2020 has had to offer???? we have plenty to be thankful for.

As to the covid suggestions, it has been suggested (especially for seniors) that a daily regimen of vitamins; C, D, and B complex, as well a zinc supplement can be very helpful in fortifying your system...

Rex, does your admonition mean I should quit taking baths in Clorox* ?

*registered trade mark

Bill Leggett

VA recognized for impact on lives of Blue Water Navy Veterans

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced today the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals has awarded the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) Blue Water Navy (BWN) communications and outreach campaign with a 2020 MarCom Platinum Award.

 The campaign increased awareness about the BWN Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 which extended the presumption of exposure to herbicides such as Agent Orange to Veterans who served in the offshore waters of the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War. 

 “VA supports BWN Veterans, their families and survivors around the country,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilke. “Ensuring Veterans and their families are aware of the benefits available to them is a priority and this campaign demonstrates our commitment to serving our Vietnam era Veterans.”

 In fiscal year 2020, VBA’s BWN campaign included a national public service announcement (PSA) that aired more than 20,000 times with an estimated advertisement equivalency of $1.9 million, more than 30,000 landing page views and over 300,000 PSA views on YouTube. Additionally, the digital advertising portion of the campaign reached 328,000-plus Facebook users and 2.3 million YouTube users. 

As of Oct. 31, VA processed 36,820 of 72,969 claims received, of which 25,918 were granted — awarding more than $696 million in retroactive benefits to eligible Veterans and their families. The most common claims granted included conditions such as type 2 diabetes, malignant growth of the lung, coronary bypass surgery, malignant growths of genitourinary system and coronary artery disease.

Learn more about Agent Orange exposure and VA disability compensation or call 800-827-1000 for more information.

                                                                        ###

WEB LINKS

Agent Orange Exposure | Veterans Affairs (outlook.com)

national public service announcement (PSA) (outlook.com)

PSA: Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act of 2019 - YouTube (outlook.com)

SIDE NOTE  The C-130 carried the AGENT ORANGE, which all carried TROOPS,, The Pilot's  of those Air Planes HAVE also have been exposed to A/O

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

Bill Leggett,  Thank-You for that info! V A Has been a blessing to my Family! They are very helpful and no syruggle. A few weeks of waiting but that is nothing it just has to run through the change nut that is and was no problem. 

I am Wishing Everyone a Wonderful Thanksgiving and agree with John Landess, "We actually do have a lot to Be Thankful for." Haveing found this wonderful site with friends I have not see for a long~long time!  is only one of mine. "Life Is Good!! Love to You all!! 
 

Charline Lake

Gerald White

Bill,

Reference your comment about the Agent Orange controversy.  The USAF flew Ranch Hand missions (for defoliant) in Vietnam using the UC123 aircraft; not the C-130.  The 123s were modified with two auxilary jet engines to add speed on the tree-top level missions.  USAF had C123 transports in country but these were used for a variety of missions and were separate from the spraying operation.  F100s from my base at Phan Rang flew top cover to supress any enemy ground fire which the missions usually encountered.  While C-130s were active in Vietnam, they were not involved in defoliation operations.  You can search Google and find several article on Ogent Orange that appeared in Air Force magazine about the operations and various tests by the CDC and other groups.

Bill Leggett

Gerald White

YES YOU ARE RIGHT ABOUT THAT ,  

I don't have any information on the AF 

Mettie Cummins

Hope everyone had a lovely thanksgiving day and will enjoy a nice long weekend of thanks.

Charline Lake

So sorry to hear about Chuck.  This is from his Facebook page, posted by his son Craig.
 

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

I am so sorry to hear about Chuck!! I knew he had not been well but it is so sad to hear about one of our Class Mates! Blessings and prayers to His Family! TThank You Charline for the Obituary!!