1011th Fall 2011 Reunion

DOUBLE CLICK THE ABOVE IMAGE TO ENLARGE.

The reunion committee is finalizing the 2011 reunion.

Note, this letter will be sent to each 1011th member the committee has an address for.

The deadline for reservations is September 15th with the response (mail the lower portion of the above invitation when you receive it) and a check for $15.00 per person to Roger Wallingford at 108 Morningside Place, Independence, Ks. 67301.

If you have questions, you can call any of the committee members listed on the invitation above.

Let's have a great turnout!

Joe Bright passes away

Harold J. "Joe" Bright
(August 14, 1944 - March 24, 2011)



U.S. Veteran

Harold J. “Joe” Bright, age 66, of Sherman, Texas formerly of Independence, Kansas died Thursday, March 24, 2011 at the Texas West Presbyterian Hospital in Sherman, Texas.

Celebration of Life Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, 2011 at the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas with the Reverend Robert Montgomery officiating. Burial will follow in the Mount Hope Cemetery under the direction of the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas.

Visitation hours will be held from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, March 24, 2011 with the family receiving friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas.

The family has suggested memorials to the Maple Street Baptist Church and contributions may be left at the Potts Chapel in Independence, Kansas.

Harold Joseph Bright was born August 14, 1944 in Independence, Kansas to William and Iona (Hull) Bright. He grew up in Independence, Kansas and attended schools in Independence.

On January 13, 1966 Harold J. “Joe” Bright married Velvajean Wehmeyer in Miami, Oklahoma. From 1968 to 1969 Harold served in Vietnam in the United States Army Reserve Unit #1011 receiving a bronze star. Joe worked at Parrish Concrete, Aerosol, Ruan Transport and Yellow Freight for 35 years before his retirement. The couple made their home in Independence, Kansas, Dubuque, IA, Des Moines, IA, Nashville, TN, Miami, OK and Sherman, Texas. Joe was an Antique Car Enthusiast and a family man.

Survivors include his wife Velvajean of Sherman, Texas; one daughter Brenda Alvarez and husband Lino of Dallas, Texas; two sons Danny Bright and wife Aliesha of Sherman, Texas and Tim Bright of Sherman, Texas; Two grandchildren Tanner and Payton Bright both of Sherman, Texas; three sisters Patty Bustos of Florida, Jane Yuebanks of Wichita, Kansas and Judy McDonald of Kansas City, Kansas; four brothers Bill Bright of Sherman, Texas, Jim Bright of Dennison, Texas, Wayne Bright and Jerry Bright both of Independence, Kansas. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers Guy and Mike Bright.

Vietnam Statistics

Vietnam Statistics


In case you haven't been paying attention these past few decades after you returned from Vietnam , the clock has been ticking.

The following are some statistics that are at once depressing yet, in a larger sense, should give you a HUGE SENSE OF PRIDE.

"Of the 2,709,918 Americans who served in Vietnam , less than 850,000 are estimated to be alive today, with the youngest American Vietnam veteran's age approximated to be 54 years old."

So, if you're alive and reading this, how does it feel to be among the last 1/3rd of all the U.S. vets who served in Vietnam ?
I don't know about you guys, but kinda gives me the chills, considering this is the kind of information I'm used to reading about WWII and Korean War vets.

So, the last 14 years, we are dying too fast, only a few will survive by 2015, if any. If true, 390 VN vets die a day. So, in 2190 days from today, if you're a live Vietnam veteran, you are lucky... in only 4 years.

These statistics were taken from a variety of sources to include: The VFW Magazine, the Public Information Office, and the HQ CP Forward Observer - 1st Recon April 12, 1997.

STATISTICS FOR INDIVIDUALS IN UNIFORM AND IN COUNTRY VIETNAM VETERANS:

* 9,087,000 military personnel served on active duty during the Vietnam Era (August 5, 1964 - May 7, 1975).

* 8,744,000 GIs were on active duty during the war (Aug 5, 1964-March 28,1973).

* 2,709,918 Americans served in Vietnam , this number represents 9.7% of their generation.

* 3,403,100 (Including 514,300 offshore) personnel served in the broader Southeast Asia Theater ( Vietnam , Laos , Cambodia , flight crews based in Thailand , and sailors in adjacent South China Sea waters).

* 2,594,000 personnel served within the borders of South Vietnam (Jan. 1,1965 - March 28, 1973). Another 50,000 men served in Vietnam between 1960 and 1964.

* Of the 2.6 million, between 1-1.6 million (40-60%) either fought in combat, provided close support or were at least fairly regularly exposed to enemy attack.

* 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam .

* Peak troop strength in Vietnam : 543,482 (April 30, 1968).

CASUALTIES:

The first man to die in Vietnam was James Davis, in 1958. He was with the 509th Radio Research Station. Davis Station in Saigon was named for him.

Hostile deaths: 47,378

Non-hostile deaths: 10,800

Total: 58,202 (Includes men formerly classified as MIA and Mayaguez casualties). Men who have subsequently died of wounds account for the changing total.

8 nurses died -- 1 was KIA.

61% of the men killed were 21 or younger.

11,465 of those killed were younger than 20 years old.

Of those killed, 17,539 were married.

Average age of men killed: 23.1 years

Total Deaths: 23.11 years

Enlisted: 50,274 - 22.37 years

Officers: 6,598 - 28.43 years

Warrants: 1,276 - 24.73 years

E1: 525 - 20.34 years

11B MOS: 18,465 - 22.55 years

Five men killed in Vietnam were only 16 years old.

The oldest man killed was 62 years old.




Sent to the 1011th Blog by Roger Wallingford

Nathan Eubanks Obituary

Nathan 'Panda Bear' Eubanks, 63, of Van Buren, Arkansas died Wednesday, February 2, 2011 in Fayetteville, Arkansas. He was a retired fork-lift driver for Trane, and a U.S. Army Veteran of Vietnam War, a member of the VFW Jim Taylor Post 8845 and the DAV. He was preceded in death by both his parents, Henry & Katherine Largent Eubanks, one brother Gary Eubanks.

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm, Monday, Feb. 7, 2011 at Ocker Memorial Chapel, Van Buren, with burial at US National Cemetery, Ft. Smith, Arkansas, under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Van Buren, Arkansas, with full military honors. He is survived by his wife, Jennifer Eubanks of the home; one daughter, Becky Taylor of Vian, Oklahoma; one brother, Lanny Eubanks of Coffeyville, KS, and five grandchildren. The family will visit with friends on Sunday, Feb. 6, 2011, from 2 to 4 pm at Ocker Funeral Home, 700 Jefferson Street, Van Buren, Arkansas.

Memorial contributions may be made to: DAV, 6307 Alma Hwy., Alma, Arkansas 72921. www.ockerfuneralhome.com

2011 REUNION DATE IS SET

The reunion date is set.

The planning committee from Independence met recently and decided on October 1st as the date for the 2011, 1011th reunion.

The committee also decided to make this year's reunion a one day affair and have the usual Friday night get-together on Saturday afternoon prior to the evening event.

This years reunion will be held at Jim and Vicky Gordon's ranch South of Independence. More details such as hotels, etc., will be coming in the mail according to the planning committee.

Sounds like the committee has put together a great time, so be sure to put the above date on your calendar.

If any of you are aware of 1011th members that are not getting either emails or postal mail from the 1011th, please have them contact the planning committee chaired by Roger Wallingford (Email: rgwall@cableone.net)or (Email: bearcat1011th@yahoo.com) to update the unit's email list for new addresses or changed emails.

Vietnam virtualwall (left click on this to view the site)

(Sent to the Blog by Roger Wallingford) Very interesting! Thanks Roger



VIETNAM WALL

First click on a state. When it opens, scroll down to the city and the names will appear.

Then click on their names. It should show you a picture of the person, or at least their bio and medals. This really is an amazing web site. Someone spent a lot of time and effort to create it.

I hope that everyone who receives this appreciates what those who served in Vietnam sacrificed for our country.

The link below is a virtual wall of all those lost during the Vietnam war with the names, bio's and other information on our lost heroes. Those who remember that time frame, or perhaps lost friends or family can look them up on this site. Pass the link on to others, as many knew wonderful people whose names are listed.





http://www.virtualwall.org/iStates.htm

As You Celebrate This Christmas, Keep Them in Your Prayers

To the Members, Families and Friends of the 1011th.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR!