Comments by user4137aolcom
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Posted on August 15 at 6:35 p.m.
Well, I must offer up my support to all in the City of Emporia and to those outside the City (e.g. Justin Klumpe and his family, the Olpe kids, Create, etc.), and all those other folks who contributed to the success of this project. Ghostrider 22 alpha and those of us who flew the aircraft just refurbed, have more than an emotional attachment to her. This has been duly noted in interviews on KVOE, conversations with the many good folks we met when visiting the City, and articles in the Emporia Gazette. To degrade the accomplishment of Justin Klumpe, the City Management, and the Veteran's Committee, seems trivial at best and mean-spirited at worst.
I remember a long time ago when we got back from Vietnam, happy to be alive, and were treated like human garbage. God Forbid any of us, could ever talk about what happened.
Finding this ship that saved our lives, and finding it on a place of Hallowed Ground created by the good Citizens of Emporia, makes it all worthwhile. Thanks to Mr. Klumpe, the City structure and the good people behind this project, that ship has become a toast and a monument to those who did not come home, and those of us who survived and did.
The accomplishment of that end by Mr. Klumpe and the City, makes the complaints about the grass and whatever other criticisms have been uttered, absolutely meaningless.
We, all of us as outsiders, offer our compliments and best wishes always, to the City that founded Veteran's Day, created the first All Veteran's Park in the United States, and accomplished this incredible refurb. It honors those who are serving now, and those who who have come and gone.
Ghostrider 22, et al.
Posted on August 15 at 10:43 a.m.
There cannot be enough good words said for Justin Klumpe, his devotion/fidelity to duty, his respect for all those who served, and for those in the City to which he gave of himself for this project. The sacrifices he and his family have made in this effort, are a model by which all of us should be proud to emulate.
With regard to the minor intrusions of the grass, it is easily rectified and not even worthy of note in an accomplishment of this magnitude. Also, many thanks to Create, for playing Gerry Owen. I am sure, the aircraft remembered it and it made her smile.
This is a terrific accomplishment for the City, its Citizens, and all those who supported this effort. With regard to Mr. Klumpe and his wonderful family, The words "God Speed and a safe journey", come from all the crew who flew the aircraft now on display in the All Veteran's Park.
Ghostrider 22, et al
Posted on June 6 at 7:31 p.m.
This is Ghostrider 22, the former aircraft commander of the aircraft in question. We found her two years ago, and have been fortunate enough ever since, to be able to visit Emporia and its wonderful Citizens over Memorial Day.. We have writtten numerous notes/blogs/verbiage, etc. about how proud we are of her, and how gratified with all we have faced, that she found a home on the sacred ground that the folks in Emporia created for her.
God Bless navywife, Mr. Klumpe, Create, lrrp, etc.,and all the good folks that have watched over her in the time she has been there. 68-15652, the aircraft that saved our lives, deserves the best that can be given her. The City, the Veteran's Committtee, and Mr. Klumpe, will help ensure that happens.
For the good of the great City of Emporia and its future generations to remember the sacrifices of all of us, our ship has found a home.
Our sincerest thanks and deepest appreciation to the City and the folks who live there, from all of us who flew her..
22.
Posted on May 22 at 11:44 a.m.
I see Hillbilly was a crewchief also. Thanks for your sentiments Hillbilly -- see you shortly.
Create, our deepest sympathies on your loss. We, all of us, understand the challenge that comes with that. Anyway, we flew mostly in II Corp from LZ English in the north, to Phan Thiet in the south and west to all points in between. There was an occasional trip to an area that was off-limits, and words don't need to be said for that. I spent about a month in Chu Lai for reasons that are unimportant and your late husband (one 'a us which makes you an honorary "one 'a us"), may have mentioned some of the following: Tam Ky, Happy Valley, Quang Nghai, Million Dollar Hill, LZ Ross, etc. Hard to believe I can remember all that like it was yesterday, but cannot remember what I had for dinner 2 days ago.
Justin knows how to get a hold of us and if we do not hear from you, we will be at the Memorial on Monday. We will be the forlorn looking commodities, that are dressed in Vietnam Veteran regaliia and lost as usual. We would be honored to meet you, ma'm.
22
Posted on May 21 at 2:24 p.m.
Crew chiefs, you can never trust 'em. Everything has to be exact.
Anyway, we went thru several battalions of the !st Avn Bgde, as the folks went home. But, Jim is right about the name he provided. However, I believe with the last battalion, it was the 60th Avn Co. (Combat Assault), 1st Avn Bgde. Most of the Internet web sites including "Vietnam Order of Battle, list us as the 60th Avn Co.
Navywife, we, all of us, are on y'all's side. As noted earlier, we will do all we can to ensure success.
Posted on May 21 at 10 a.m.
Hi Create. You are accurate. It is the famous song of Custer's 7h Cavalry, originally an Irish drinking song -- go figure why the Cavalry would like that. It was adopted as the division theme song (the 7th is a regiment of that division) by the 1st Cavalry Division in the early 80s. The unit we flew for, 60th Aviation Co, 1st Aviation Brigade (Ghostriders), was originally Charlie Company, 227th, 1st Cavalry Division, but became the 60th when the Cav went home. My compliments ma'm. The following url will give you the "lyrical version".:
http://www.us7thcavalry.com
Posted on May 21 at 6:13 a.m.
Good morning Justin, this is Ghostrider 22. I got notes each, from Mark McAnarney and Ron Whitney yesterday. They and or the Veteran's Committee, are to be in touch with you this week. My two crew chiefs will be there Friday (Hennessy and Williams) and both Mark and Ron can provide you the location where we are staying. Gary and Jim can give you any additional data you may require.
I looked at the colors and 34094 seems to be the closet. The color on there now was what the Army put on her when she was rebuilt. The O.D. brown IR resistant paint was supposed to help against SA-7s., but we survived without it and we will be glad to see it gone.
Justin, what you are doing for the ship and the people of Emporia, is beyond wonderful. When we are out there, we will take steps to help ensure you have everything you need.
22.
Posted on May 20 at 7:23 p.m.
HI Create. With respect ma'm, play Gerry Owen. The ship would appreciate it. Our best. You have been very supportive.
Posted on May 19 at 6:19 p.m.
Wow! Ok folks, this would be super. The words seem hollow but we, all three of us, would be honored for Mr. Klumpe to do as he suggests. The City Manager and the Veteran's Committee have to approve it, but if this is possible, we would help fund it. And Kstrebuchet, Ghostrider 22 is a he, the former aircraft commander of this ship. Mr, Hennessy was its crew chief and Mr. Williams flew with her numerous times. Together, we probably have more flight time in her than all the other air crews added together. This would be terrific if it can be accomplished. navywife, we are on your side.
Ron Whitney, the spokesman in the article for the Veteran's Committee, will be our point of contact. He knows how to get a hold of us and owes us beer. And yes as noted in a number of the earlier notes, we will be in Emporia to see our friends, and our sister.
Ghostrider 22.
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Posted on September 7 at 7:54 p.m.
There cannot be enough good said, about the integrity, honor, and dignity that Mr. Klumpe, his family, and those who supported this effort, displayed in the completion of this task. That determination for those things, is not seen often anymore, except by those who are serving today. God Bless Justin and his family, the City Management structure, the Veteran's Committee, and the good Citizens of Emporia. Our Sister, has come home. For many of us who served in Vietnam, coming Home and coming back were two disparate,things. It took awhile for the two of those to come into harmony.
From all of us who flew her, she is now home,
Ghostrider 22, et al.
On Appreciation for sacrifices of those who fought before