Koh Tang Mayaguez Vets Organization Guest Book

Was aboard the USS CORAL SEA CVA-43. Wounded Marines used our racks while we were on duty. V-4 division

Is anyone else from the KTMVO planning to attend the 23rd reunion of The 2/9 Network to be held in Arlington VA 8-12 Nov 2015? I so, please contact me.
Semper Fi,
Edd Prothro

Greetings Brothers, first, thanks to Edd and Al Bailey on the update regarding the group headstone. It is great to know that mission will finally be completed.

I have been in phone contact with Larry Barnett today. Both he and I have worked together from the beginning to build our Brotherhood and pay tribute as well as never forget.

As many of you have seen and read, there is much going on, both positive and negative to the organization, with so much of ourselves invested, we do not want to see this fail. Therefore, Larry and I would ask everyone to take some time and reflect and pray about our Organization and the direction it is going.

Larry and I are going to continue our discussion and hope to be able to discover a better more mutual understanding for EVERYONE, and more importantly, heal any divide that exists and move together as one Organization. We know we are just two of the many people involved but we hope together we can help to forge a new path.

Please watch the various websites and Facebook pages for more information. We hope to put something together by weeks end.

Semper Fi

Good Afternoon Brothers and Sisters. I wanted to take a moment and extend a heart felt Thank You to all of you who have been so diligent in working on the headstone at Arlington. You have truly shown what can be accomplished with patience and persistence and I am so proud to know each of you.

I also wanted to take moment and share a very special web site that is linked with the Wall in D.C. Every day items which symbolize honor and appreciation are left at the Wall. Our Organization as well has left items in memory and appreciation to 41 of those names. Each night the National Park Service collects this items and they are stored in a large warehouse. To date there are more that 400,000 items stored here. In conjunction with the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, some of the items left at the Wall are now available for viewing online. It is a very impressive page.

The National Park Service is currently working to fund the Education Center.

Once the Education Center is funded and constructed, approximately 4,000-6,000 items will be on public display. In the mean time the virtual display will be adding more items to the page. Take a moment and give it a look.

Our guest book won't allow me to link the page, but simply do an internet search on Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and you will find it or send me an email and I will send you the link.

God Bless each of you
Larry and Sharon

COMMON GRAVE HEADSTONE UPDATE:
Received a call from Al Baily who says that he spoke with the Arlington Cemetery staff this morning. All the families have now approved the headstone and it is being manufactured. Al says that it should be erected in the near future, even though Arlington staff could not give a firm date. Once again, this shows the strenght of our brotherhood. Thanks to all.
Semper Fi,
Edd

COMMON GRAVE HEADSTONE UPDATE:
Received an email from Tim Trebil who has been in contact with Arlington Cemetery staff. Tim says that before the headstone can be erected, all families must sign-off on it. Apparently, there are two families who have yet to do so. Tim further says that he will followup with Arlington. Case solved! What a great bunch of guys, thanks to everyone.
Semper Fi,
Edd

Thansk for this share page great

Brothers,
In a recent email from Sara Johnson, sister of Andy Garcia (KIA Knife-31,) I was informed that no permanent headstone has yet been erected on the common grave from the funeral on 15 May 2013. Sara was in Washington on business, went to visit the grave and was shocked to find the same temporary paper markers left from the funeral. It has been over TWO YEARS. Does anyone have any information as to why a headstone has not yet been placed? If no reason can be discovered, I think that it is imperative that we find out why not, and rectify the situation post haste. Any information would be greatly appreciated.
"Saepe Expertus, Semper Fidelis, Fratres Aeterni"
"Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever"
Edd Prothro, MSgt Retired, USMC

Saw a comment on facebook today about this operation. I was serving in the Army near Nakon Phanom, Thaiand, then. I was assigned to a remote signal site on top of a mountain near the Laos border. There were 3 US military assigned there as advisers to the Thai Security Forces. I was on duty the night the Jolly Green went down with the Air Force Security Policemen. I remember the operation well and commend you all for your actions.

...truly! ...someone should talk with Tom Hanks.