Gone, But Never Forgotten

At The Reunion In Fort Worth, Texas A Table With A Lone Chair Was
Set In Honor Of Our Squadron Mates Who Have Died Either In Viet Nam
Or Afterwards. I Would Like To Share That Memorial With You And
The Words That Melvin Biggs Spoke In Their Honor. Thanks Melvin.
Fair Winds And Following Seas -

This ceremony is in remembrance of our fallen comrades...

The table, set for one, symbolizing the frailty of one person, one service man, alone,
against his or her oppressors: it is round, showing that our concern for them is never ending.

The chair is empty - They are not here.

The glass is inverted - They will not drink with us tonight.

Upon the plate is a slice of lemon, and a sprinkling of salt. The lemon reminds us of the
bitterness they feel, the salt symbolizes the tears of families as they wait.

The yellow candle symbolizes the everlasting hope for a joyous reunion with those yet
unaccounted for.

The red rose is for those who made the ultimate sacrifice: they gave their lives for
this country. The white rose is for those of us who returned alive. The yellow rose
is for those who are still missing in action.

The red and yellow ribbons, tied on the vase, are reminiscent of the ribbons worn upon
the lapels of thousands who demand a proper accounting of our missing.

The black napkin stands for the emptiness these warriors have left in the hearts of their
families and friends.

The Bible represents faith in a higher power and the pledge to this country - which was
founded as one nation under God.

The tablecloth is white, symbolizing the purity of their intentions to respond to their
countries call to arms.

Remember, all of you, who served with them and called them shipmates - They represent the
highest level of commitment to defending the principles of freedom that have made our
nation great. For surely...they have not forsaken you.

Throughout this ceremony let the candle’s flame represent their presence in our hearts
and let it’s light shine as a beacon of our resolve to never let these members of our
Squadron be forgotten.


LT "PETE"R FRANSSON RUSSELL
Of WHARTON, NJ Was Born On: Tuesday, March 12, 1940
He Died Over Kien Giang Province, South Vietnam On: Friday, May 23, 1969
A Single Shot Struck Him And His OV-10A During A Strafing Run
The Location Of His Name On The Wall: Panel 24W - Row 090

LT "AUBREY" GRADY MARTIN
Of BEEVILLE, TX Was Born On: Tuesday, September 29, 1942
He Died When His OV-10A Was Shot Down In South Vietnam On: Saturday, July 19, 1969
The Location Of His Name On The Wall: Panel 20W - Row 020

LTJG "ROY" DEAN SIKKINK
Of TULSA, OK Was Born On: Friday, May 26, 1944
He Died When His OV-10A Was Shot Down In South Vietnam On: Saturday, July 19, 1969
The Location Of His Name On The Wall: Panel 20W - Row 023

"JOEL" ALEXIS SANDBERG
Of MERIDEN, CT Was Born On: Wednesday, August 8, 1945
He Died In A Crash In Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam On: Saturday, December 20, 1969
The Location Of His Name On The Wall: Panel 15W - Row 074

CPT CARL EDWIN LONG (USMC)
Of COLLEGE STATION, TX Was Born On: Tuesday, February 8, 1944
He Died In A Crash In Phuoc Tuy Province, South Vietnam On: Saturday, December 20, 1969
The Location Of His Name On The Wall: Panel 15W - Row 073
Carl's Remains Were Recovered And Returned To THe United States
They Were Buried At Arlington National Cemetery On September 16, 2004

LCDR "JERE" ALAN BARTON
Of SAN DIEGO, CA Was Born On: Thursday, August 10, 1939
He Died When His OV-10A Was Shot Down In Kien Tuong Province, South Vietnam On: Sunday, June 7, 1970
The Location Of His Name On The Wall: Panel 09W - Row 023

LT ROBERT "BOB" EDWARD LUTZ JR
Of TROY, OH Was Born On: Saturday, August 20, 1938
He Died In A Crash Offshore Of South Vietnam On: Wednesday, February 9, 1972
The Location Of His Name On The Wall: Panel 02W - Row 105


And Though They Did Not Die In War; Friends They Will Be Evermore
The Glory And Honor They Earned For Serving Will Never Fade
For They Have Built A Home In The Minds Of Their Fellow Man Forever

Died In Service To Their Country

LT WILLIAM J. "FLASH" LEEBURN
Died In A Crash Of An OV10A While Training Replacement
Pilots At N.A.S. North Island On August 7, 1970

J.W. BREWSTER
Lost At Sea When His C1A "Trader" Crashed Enroute From Naples
To Sigonella On January 17, 1972

SAM FLEMING
C-141 Crash In The 70's

STEVE SALZMAN
TA-4 Crash - 1973


LT CDR RON BALLARD- Plankowner
Complications From Pulmonary Fibrosis - October 7, 2005

BILL BARTLETT
Cancer - 1999

JIM BOHANNA
Died From Inoperable Cancer
February 20, 2007 - Pleasanton, CA

ADJ GORDON CAUDILL
Cancer - 1989

ADJ GARY W. CHARF
Died From Cancer In His Hometown Of
Mayfield Heights, OH On December 30, 2003

ADR KENNETH W. COTTEN
Died From Heart Attack On March 28, 2005
In North Hollywood, CA Where He Resided

AMS KENNETH R. CRABTREE
Died From Complications After An Automobile Accident
On April 5, 2006 In Middleburg, FL Where He Resided

AN JAMES EVARISTO
Lost On June 12, 1993 From Lymphoma Cancer At Age 45

AE BEN FRANKLIN
Died From Lung Cancer
May 10, 2007 - Corpus Christi, TX

YN HAROLD HANFORD
More Info Supposedly Coming

ADJ ROY LANGLITZ
Passed Away June 1984

Tom Langston
Heart Attack Jan 8, 2008

ADJ VINCE LECRANN
Brain Hemmorage - March 1998

AT Robert Lippert
August 2007

Bob Pastre
Heart Attack - August 29 2007 DICK PRATT
No Other Details Known

YN RONALD "YANKEE" PRESCOTT
Accident in Florida - July 1975

AL SCHAUER
Pensacola Obituary - March 29, 2003 - Nothing Else Known

JAY SCHOENFELD
Cancer - March 1998

HAROLD "HAL" SMITH
Died In A Plane Crash In Colorado - Summer 2003

ADJ BURDETT "BUD" STORCH
Heart Attack - Late 70's

ADJ ROGER STRONG
Passed Away While At A VA Hospital In Tennessee
October 17, 2003

BRUCE TURNER
Complications From A Battle With Kidney Cancer - August 22, 2004

QUENTIN "BUTCH" UNDERKOFFLER
Avionics / Weapons Division Officer
Heart Attack - Feb 2001

AMH & PLANKOWNER JEAN VARGO
Died From Pancreatic Cancer Caused By Agent Orange
May 21, 1976

AO WAYNE WALIN
Died From Inoperable Cancer
February 13, 2007 - Myrtle Creek, OR

TRUMAN DALE WARE
Died In The Crash Of A Christian Eagle - Oct. 1, 1987

BOB WHITE
Cancer - 1986

L. A. "ZZ" ZAGORTZ
Cancer - 1989