by: Erasmo "Doc" Riojas docrio45 [at] gmail dot com

navy-seal-marcus-luttrell-honors-fallen-brothers

Front row (lt to Rt): Jean Barber, Sandie Vick, Robyn Levy, Kitty McMillan, Jackie Watkins, Diane Springs, Madeline Kohler. BACK row (lt to rt) Dave Barber, Dale Vick, Bob Ley, Sandy Mc Millan, Mark Wardman, Jim Watkins, Jerry RUggles, Rick Springs and Dave Kohler.

The Veteran's Day reunion of BUD/S Class 75 at Ft. Pierce, Florida was an outstanding succes

Pac NW: Details are provided by Dave Barber and Rick Springs class 75 summary. The report is intended for the absentee members of the class but they agreed to share with the Chapter.
Guys:

The Veteran's Day reunion of BUD/S Class 75 at Ft. Pierce, Florida was an outstanding success. The only disappointment was not seeing those of you who were unable to attend.

On Friday night at the crab and shrimp dinner the stories started coming out, and yes, believe it or not, we even sang some BUD/S training songs. Then Dale Vick broke out an amazingly large collection of photos from training. (How did he ever manage to have a camera with him during all those evolutions?) Dale had prepared two CDs for all of us, one with all the photos presented as still shots, and the other as a video. If you didn't get copies, I'm sure he'd be glad to send them to you.

On Saturday morning Rick Springs and I were proud to represent the class in the 5K soft-sand beach run. Both of us made it across the finish line, but my tongue was just about picking up sand from the beach by the time I got there.

At mid day the show started with a jump from the Leap Frogs, and followed with a speech from Ross Perot and a operations demonstration from SEAL Team 18. I couldn't believe those guys arrived and departed the objective area in armored vehicles. How come we had to walk way back then? Then the Vets of all ages, sizes, service branches and distinctions were recognized. Just about everyone in the stands was on his feet at one time or another. Afterwards we got to tour the museum and gathered at our ORP where the attached photo was taken. Sorry for the fact that the quality of this photo is not all that great, but many more were taken and I'm sure you'll soon be getting copies of better ones. Nonetheless, you can see that we enjoyed the company of these beautiful wives who had joined us for the weekend.

I had never seen the Museum before. It has excellent displays of artifacts from World War II to the present day that are presented with written and audio descriptions. Obviously a lot of time, effort and money have gone into it, thanks to many people including Dave Kohler who is on the Museum's board of directors.

On Saturday evening we all went to the Cobbs Landing restaurant for dinner, where more stories came out. We toasted lots of different things, but most important was the one to Bob Baird's memory. At the dinner we resolved that we should make a special effort to get every one of us back again in 2013 for the 40th YEAR REUNION OF OUR CLASS. SO, MARK YOUR CALENDARS NOW FOR VETERAN'S DAY 2013!!! No excuses! Tell your boss NOW that you want time off from work THEN!

I understand there was a memorial service and the swimming to sea of ashes on Saturday morning. Unfortunately my wife Jean and I missed it because we had to be on our way back to Seattle before then.

Thanks once again to Dave Kohler and Sandy McMillan for organizing our hotel accommodations and participation in the weekend events, and to Rick Springs who applied his detective skills from his career as a police officer to locate all of us and then initiate the communications.

HOPE TO SEE YOU IN 2013!!

Best regards,

-- Dave Barber

Michael H. Imhof Howard Wasdin

Lowell Gosser's 2011
Muster Pictures

Larry Bailey, Larry Lyons, and ??

Lowell Gosser and Gang

Billy Burbank

Bill Garnette and Clay Grady, and Margaret

Bill Langley

Rudy Boesch, Doc Clark, Billy Burbank

Bill Daugherty and wife ?Phyllis?

Larry Bailey

Don Shipley Mitchell Lee Croft

Meet John

John Gulick has had two jobs in his entire life. The first, being a Navy SEAL, where he was awarded medals for valor. The second job has been as an attorney for the past 30 years, which involves its own unique version of combat. Each job requires energy, competence, courage, and focus.

Over 25 years of experience with consistent jury trial work. Graduated from Case Western Reserve School of Law with honors (Order of the Coif) and served as an editor of the Case Western Reserve Law Review.

U.S. Navy 1963-1967, service with U.S.S. Fletcher, Underwater Demolition Team 12, and SEAL Team ONE. Won Bronze Star (with Combat V) and Purple Heart.

http://www.gulicklaw.com/meet_john.htm

13NOV2011: email from Jim Dickson

Franklin and Doc,

For the last five years Veterans Day has found me at the Cupertino Veterans Memorial. This year I ran into John Gulick who said that after I was wounded he took over my .50 caliber machine gun. He said further that he could only get it to work single fire. I was not surprised because both the gun and I got blown up.

He said that he was not part of the Nha Be' detachment but that the Mike boat was providing transport for him and a few other SEALs. We exchanged information and I will see him again. I also ran into a PBR sailor who was at Nha Be' the same time as I.

This is a small world and getting smaller.

Jim Dickson

Photos by Jim Dickson

30:6 For he left behind him a defender of his house against his enemies, and one
that will requite kindness to his friends. THE BOOK OF ECCLESIASTICUS Also known as "The Book of Sirach." Catholic Bible CHAPTER 30.

To donate $10 now text U.S.Navy SEAL to 90999

The Navy SEAL Foundation is certified by the Independent Charities of America as a "Best in America" Charity.

TEXT-TO-GIVE INSTRUCTIONS

In the address box of your text function on your cell phone enter 90999

In the message box enter SEAL and press send.

You will receive a text requesting a reply to confirm your donation.

A one-time $10 charge will be added to your wireless bill.

A SEAL before the glam and glitterWednesday, November 9, 2011 8:46 am

Vet recalls a ‘thrilling life'

Mike Sands

Frank Heinrich Mike Baumgart Amir Pishdad

Leonard Horst

http://www.sequimgazette.com/news/article.exm/2011-11-09_

war_veteran_visits_vietnam_for_fresh_outlook

Larry Lyons and Mike Thornton

TX Gov Perry and Marcus Luttrell

Doc CLark, Richard Marcinko, Rudy Boesch Fred Miller & Frank Moncrief

J.R.Schooley Rod D. Sirois

Deavereau "Bull" Knox ST-2

ST-2 Men with Green Faces

SEALs at War

Joseph S Shreckhise Lisa & Robert Mc Daniels SPencer Dry

Colton 10 y.o. & SEALs Rudy Bosesch Roger GUerra

William Templet Pete Wikul "Bull Frog"

Admiral Olson

Nicholas Bickle, Rogue SEAL: An active duty in the United States Navy Sea, Air and Land (SEAL) Teams, commonly known as Navy SEALs, allegedly smuggled around 80 AK-47 rifles as well as Iraqi-made weapons into the US.

Nicholas Bickle

Adm McRaven Eric T. Olson Jeff Lucas

Don Shipley: http://military-fitness.military.com/tag/buds Richard "Mack" Machowicz

LT: Roger Cook & ?? Bill "Fat Rat" Sutherland

Mark De Lisle "Matto"

ROBERT (BOB) K. WAGNER
Chief Storekeeper (SEAL) http://bellsouthpwp.net/m/w/mwagner32/
Go to this link for the full story.

May 5, 1933 - August 15, 1968

from Stew Smith:

Stew Smith is a former Navy SEAL and fitness author certified as a Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) with the National Strength and Conditioning Association. If you are interested in starting a workout program to create a healthy lifestyle - check out the Military.com Fitness eBook store and the Stew Smith article archive at Military.com. To contact Stew with your comments and questions, e-mail him at stew@stewsmith.com.

To see more from Stew Smith, check out www.stewsmith.com

Stew Smith is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, a former Navy SEAL, and author of several fitness and self defense books such as The Complete Guide to Navy SEAL Fitness, and Maximum Fitness. As a military fitness trainer, Stew has trained hundreds of students for Navy SEAL, Special Forces, Air Force PJ, Ranger Training, and other physical law enforcement professions. Stew's Profile | Stew's Blog

Stew's Archive | Ask Stew | StewSmith.com

LIFE MAGAZINE PICTURES LINK

Japanese Weapons UDT-SEAL Adam Lee Brown

Mark Allen

Andrew Bissett =Link

Force Master Chief, Naval Special Warfare Command

FORCE MASTER CHIEF STEVEN D. STUDDARD, US NAVY

Master Chief Studdard is a native of Alabama and a 1982 graduate of Berry High School. In December 1984 he enlisted in the Navy and attended boot camp at Naval Recruit Training Center, Great Lakes. He entered the UDT/SEAL pipeline and successfully completed Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL Training, Class 137 in May 1986.

Courtesy FOREX Video

Michael Jaco

Michael Jaco served as a Navy SEAL for twenty-four years before becoming an independent security contractor. During his service he achieved what many others previously thought to be impossible or unattainable. He retired in December 2002 as a Navy "Chief" and started his own training organization which educates participants in tactical awareness skills. Born in Columbia, South Carolina, he now lives in Elgin with his wife and children.

US Navy seal sniper
Uploaded by bonsemy. - Classic TV and last night's shows, online.

POST OFFICE Dedicated to Roy Boehm in FL

Decorated Little Creek-based SEAL dies in Afghanistan

CollinThomas KIA in Afganistan

By Cindy Clayton
The Virginian-Pilot
© August 20, 2010

A highly decorated Navy SEAL from Virginia Beach died Wednesday from injuries sustained in combat operations in eastern Afghanistan, the Navy said Friday.

Chief Special Warfare Operator Collin Trent Thomas, 33, was shot while deployed with a SEAL team based at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek. As is customary in operations involving the elite commando units, the Navy released no other details about the circumstances of his death.

A native of Morehead, Ky., Thomas was a 13-year Navy veteran who had been awarded a Purple Heart medal, two Bronze Stars and a host of personal, unit and campaign decorations.

He graduated from Rowan County (Ky.) High School, attended Morehead State University and enlisted in the Navy on Feb. 20, 1997.

Since February 2000, he had been assigned to various East Coast-based SEAL teams and was involved in numerous combat operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Navy said.

“Collin Thomas was a brave American patriot and an incredibly gifted Navy SEAL,” a senior officer in his command was quoted as saying in the Navy statement. “His tireless professionalism, inspiring passion for life, and humble demeanor made him a role model for all who knew him. We are deeply saddened by this tremendous loss of a brother in arms.”

Lt. Arlo Abrahamson, a spokesman for Naval Special Warfare Group 2, called Thomas’ death an “incredible loss.”

“Collin’s teammates will remain resolved in their fight against terrorist elements in Afghanistan, because they know that’s what Collin would have wanted,” Abrahamson said.

Thomas is survived by his parents, Clayton and Paula Thomas of Hertford, N.C., his sister, Meghan Edwards of Morehead, and his fiancée, Sarah Saunders of Virginia Beach.

A private memorial service will be held next week at the Little Creek base.

Subject: Chief Petty Officer Collin Trent Thomas

TOP STORIES:

1. Navy SEAL From Morehead, Ky., Dies In Combat In Afghanistan

(LOUISVILLE COURIER-JOURNAL 20 AUG 10)
LOUISVILLE - Chief Petty Officer Collin Trent Thomas was a quiet and well-liked student when he was growing up in Morehead, Ky., and always had a clear view of his life after graduating. “He was serious toward life even when he was young in high school,” said Penny Alderman, the assistant principal of Rowan County High School and a friend of Thomas’ family. “He was thinking of his future and his future was always the military.”

Thomas, who became a Navy SEAL, was killed Wednesday during a combat operation in eastern Afghanistan. He was 33. Thomas enlisted in the Navy in 1997, two years after graduating from Rowan County High School. Thomas received SEAL training, which the Navy calls “six months of some of the most demanding training in the U.S. military,” early in his naval career, according to a press release on Thomas’ death.

He had been assigned to various East Coast-based SEAL teams since February 2000 and was deployed several times overseas, including supporting operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, the press release said. A decorated combat veteran, he received two Bronze Stars for valor and a Purple Heart, among many other recognitions.

Alderman said she was friends with his mother and has known Thomas since he was a child. She said Thomas was drawn to the military partly out of deep respect for his father, a career Marine. As a child, Thomas grew up on military bases before his father retired from the Marine Corps and the family moved back to Morehead.

Thomas is survived by his parents, Clayton and Paula, his younger sister, Meghan, and his fiancée, Sarah Saunders, the press release said. When home from deployments, Thomas would catch up with friends in Morehead. In all the years Alderman knew Thomas, she said she never heard a negative word said against him. She said Thomas loved the outdoors and would go camping and hiking with his parents, who moved to California after he joined the Navy.

“He truly loved his life as a SEAL,” Alderman said. “He always wanted to do what was right and he felt this was what’s right.”

Because of the secretive nature of the special operations unit, there were times Thomas’ family had no warning of a deployment.

“It depended on the mission,” Alderman said. “Sometimes they knew … other times, they didn’t know and didn’t hear for a long time.”

Thomas was very close to his mother and father, and Alderman said the family is struggling with his death but proud of his service.

“They’re devastated,” Alderman said. “They’re trying to focus on what they had with Collin, instead of what they won’t have. They’re looking back at all the wonderful times they had with him — that’s how they’re getting through it.”

Jacob "Jake" Daniel BANTA, HTFN I wish i knew this Chief's name

Kiet Nguyen LDNN, 'nam Seastory

Hi Bob,

Thank you for these unforgotten stories of Vietnam war end on April 30, 1975.

I was on board of the HQ. 502 (LST 502) at the ocean mouth Cap Vung Tau to waiting for a convoy of evacuation by US. government at that time.

There were many birds as OV-10, L19, helicopters flew out over our ship. Finally, there was one helicopter tried to make a low flying to let one man jump out of it. So the first man was out then floated toward the port of our HQ.502. Someone on that ship threw a lifebuoy down right to him, he got it then floating back into the river by the wind has changed after the sun was risen.

At that time there was not any ordered from our commander on that ship to rescue that guy. I did not hesitate to jump down in the water with my spare life vest from the UDT-SEAL's gear. I swam as fast as I could to reach to him and graped his arm.

Unfortunate, the current was so strong and make me harder to get back the ship with him. I did decide to stay with him whatever will be happened. While we were struggled in the water then the second man as a pilot bailed out... However he be bounced back up by the high waves then disappeared in deep blue of the sea.

Back to our ship, the commander had ordered the engines restarted. We both got back to the ship with thousands voices cheered for us.
It was my last rescue without "Military order" on the morning of April 30-1975.
http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/militarylaw1/a/obeyingorders.htm

Best Regards,

Kiet Nguyen, LDNN

Frank Toms Marcus "Doc" Luttrell

Desert Training

Frank Thornton

Bravo SEAL PLatoon 1999 -2000

John Kerry Capt. Larry Bailey

                                                                         Rod Dellwyn Sirois

Tom Blais and SEAL gang Jesse Ventura

Frank Thornton & buddies

Capt. Bucklew Bob Kerry

Tom Blais Before a Raid

East Coast 2009 Reunion

UDT - SEAL Association.org "The Blast"

UDT-SEAL Assn Presidents

18 Aug 2009 UDT SEAL Reunion Little Creek VA

Warta Boesch Tipton

Lt to Rt: Tocci, ? , Jack Lynch, ? , ? , ?

Lt. to Rt.: ? , Tocci, Jack Lynch, ?, ?, ?, ?, John Kirby , ?, ?

Billy Burbank and Girl Friend Billie

Reunion Picture Collage from the BLAST

Brumuller and ?? Gene Cahill

Fly Fallon and ??

Jack Lynch & Rudy Boesch

Joe Silva and ??

Doc Lambert and Tom Hawkins

Brad Lynch & Gene Cahill

Lt. to Rt: Gordie Ablitt, Roy Boehm, Brett Lyhnch, Rudy Boesch, Harry Humphries

Marge Boesch Rudy Boesch

Mike Michael Boynton

Our Hometowns: Mike Boynton Irving TX, Doc Riojas , Laredo TX.

Old Frogmen at Reunion, Spiegel (hand in pocket)

Rudy Boesch with Buddies Bob "Eagle" Gallagher

Jim "Pathes" Watson

SEALs at Reunion

              Tom McCutchan                                                           "Coming Full Circle"
                                                                                  by former Navy SEAL David Morris "PTSD is an anxiety disorder. Morris has a severe case. He is almost always nervous. He cries frequently."
Read  more: http://www.islandpacket.com/2010/07/29/1320943/vietnam-traumas-still-haunt-ex.html#ixzz0vEJ5nGQL

Thomas Mc Cutchan on MK VIII SEAL boat ??, Vicki & and Tom McCutchan

(L-R): Chip Evans, USN SpecOps (SEAL); Ryan Chamberlain, F/A-18 Superhornet Pilot; me; Bryon Yamaji, EA-6B Prowler ECMO.

Stacey Virgin Eugene Fraley KIA 'nam

Erasmo "Doc" Riojas visiting Blackwater in N.C.

LDNNs

Liên Đoàn Người Nhái (LDNN); Training Camp in CamRanhBay 'nam

My name is Mike Rush, not the same guy that is part of the UDT/SEAL Association. I gave Doc Riojas Some of these photos are part of my collection, I am just an independant historian.

Dai Wee Kuhn and Chief Riojas

C.O. of the LDNNs, TuTa Hiep

TuTa Hiep and Friends in the USA

From: spikey1971 [at]
To: docrio45 [at] gmail . com
Sent: Sunday, July 25, 2010
Subject: Part of my LDNN collection....

Thanks Doc,

The page 16 looks cool.
I met Trinh Hoa Hiep in the 90's and had the pleasure of sitting down withhim at his home not far from where I live in L.A.
The last time I spoke with him was to get the correct definition of the "D" in LDNN, Doi was "team" which was used until about 1970 then it was Doan, which means "group", when EOD, pier security, police and salvage divers were all under the LDNN umbrella.

I sent a note to the UDT/SEAL Assoc, which I am an assoc. member, about the death of Mr. Hiep but it never made it into the Blast. I have pics and a diary of a LDNN advisor at Solid Anchor and Dong Tam and other pics of advisors at Hoi An, some pics came from Ace Sarich, some from Terry Sullivan, both Team 2.

I've also met Ryan McCombie years ago and I got some paperwork from an advisor name Mike Slattery, he had a letter the Tommy Norris not long before Tom got wounded.
I collect everything I can get my hands on relating to LDNN's and their advisors.
I also have pics of LDNNs training in the US on the East Coast. Mike Rush

This email was cleaned by emailStripper, available for free from http://www.papercut.biz/emailStripper.htm

Gary Smith and Doc Riojas

LDNN SEAL Instructors: Lt to Rt: Doc Marshall, Willis, Doc Rio,
DaiWee Kuhn, "french" Gary Smith

Smitty retired as an MCPO and wrote
three books about Navy SEALs
He came home to Texas and
became a Texas Ranger. Death In the Jungle

USA SEAL Instructor Hootch CamRanhBay Vietnam

Which one is Doc Riojas? LDNN Class

LDNN open air classroom

LDNN instructor Quan

Qua and Thang

LDNN practicing Karate

LDNNs on IBS

Casting from Huey Helicopter

LDNN patroling class by CPO Willis

Ba and Willis

BMC Willits

VN SEAL Sign painted by LDNN Trainees

Doc Riojas visiting a Camh Ranh Bay Villiage

Navy Journalist getting story for the
records. LDNN Camp CamRanhBay 'Nam 1970

1967, Mike Boat, MyTho RVN: LDNNs

LDNN Thuy

I have someone who knew him and he is still living somewhere in Go Cong near Saigon Capital. He became a high ranking officer after Vietnam fall and working for the bastard Commies.

You remember Thang is never interested on me and of course I am not the one wanted to talk or see him too.
Best regards,

Kiet Nguye

7th Plt. ST-2 MyTho

Than, LDNN SeaFLoat CaMau 'Nam

Helicopter Casting

Qua and DocRio

LDNN InstructorLuong Linh

"Frenchy" Boisivertte UDT Instructor

Petty Officer Nguyen Van Kiet : Vietnam War: “It was their country. They deserve respect.” When Hollywood made a movie about the dramatic rescue of a downed American pilot during the Vietnam War, it left one man out: the South Vietnamese navy officer who was a key member of the rescue team.

Doc Riojas' Note: I first met Kiet at Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam when he was undergoing LDNN (SEAL) training. I was one of the SEAL LDNNAdvisors at the LDNN Camp. LT. Richard Kuhn was our OinC.

Nguyen Van Kiet LDNN

Vietnam War Bibliography Navy SEALs and UDTs

Picture taken at the FIRST LDNN reunion in Houston TX.
Lt to Rt: Phan Tan Hung,Capt.Larry Bailey USN (Ret), Kiet Nguyen

LDNN Patches and Insignias

Ba & CPO Willis of ST-1 Instructors at LDNN Camp CamRanhBay 'nam

LDNN Inst. Qua and Navy journalist.jpg

X-LDNN Thang turned V.C.

Hi Doc,

I have noticed the guy from LDNN named Thang who was assigned in Nam Can Team, which Darryl Young wrote about his turned coat. (Page:319 - 320 of SEALs, UDT, Frogmen: Men Under Pressure) I have met Darryl Young from my home a few years before his death.
I have someone who knew him and he is still living somewhere in Go Cong near Saigon Capital. He became a high ranking officer after Vietnam fall and working for the bastard Commies.

You remember Thang is never interested on me and of course I am not the one wanted to talk or see him too.
Best regards,

Kiet Nguyen

2010/11/7 TTPhat <phat28_6@yahoo.com>

TTPhat <phat28_6 [at] yahoo   DOT com
toktnguyen95 [at] yahoo   DOT com

ccdocrio45 [at] gmail DOT com,
spikey1971 [at] aol   DOT com

dateSun, Nov 7, 2010
subjectLDNN : VO VAN THANG ( He is a good man)

Chao anh Kiet,
Toi la Phat o BH . SPVDH thuyen chuyen ve LDNN nam 1972 , dau nam 1974 co di chung voi anh ra dao Song Tu Tay (Truong Sa) .Trong toan co Tr/u Xon , anh Tu Le,Banh, Lam Chau Tinh, Tu 'Ca Chinh' Kiet va Phat ( toan cua minh ban min lam thuy dao va van chuyen vat lieu cho Cong Binh xay cat doanh trai tren dao)
Thoi gian da lau ! chac anh Kiet khong con nho toi...
Nhan day, toi muon noi ve anh Thang (LDNN Vo Van Thang)
1 - Toi ve NN di toan o Nam Can , co nguoi da canh bao voi toi anh Thang da tung" noi tuyen" nuong sach 2 toan SEAls My o My Tho , vi the toi cung de y moi khi di chung voi anh ay
Toi o Nam Can gan 2 nam , lau dan ...toi va anh Thang tro nen than thiet , toi hieu rat ro lap truong va chinh kien ve mot nguoi linh cua anh Thang . Vi vay toi doan chac rang anh ay khong he " phan boi dong doi va dong minh cua chung ta"
Trong thoi gian nay anh cung co tam su voi toi ve tham hoa cua Xpray Platoon,cung di voi toan Xpray anh da thoat chet trong duong to ke toc . Sau do ANQD moi anh len de lam ro ve viec nay , an ninh My cung theo theo doi anh mot thoi gian , roi ho cung xac dinh anh Thang khong biet truoc Vung + Toa do cong tac va chi biet sau khi hop roi cung toan Xpray xuong seal boat ma thoi .(vi vay ho khong truy cuu)
Tieng don xau ve anh Thang tu do va con am vang den ngay nay .
* Khong ly do gi,mot nguoi bi tinh nghi la noi tuyen cho VC ma con nhon nho trong hang ngu QD den thang 4/75 ???

2 - LDNN Vo Van Thang chua tung la si quan cao cap cua VC
Dieu nay duoc khang dinh nhu sau :
Tinh co toi lien lac voi Nguyen Tram (BH) va Tram co cho toi nhung so dien thoai cua cac ban : Bach van Dong , Hoang Doan ,Liem va Le Thanh Tat .
Cung hom do( khoang thang 8 nam2008) toi goi de tham Tat va Tat cho toi biet "Thang Co" cung o Go Cong . Ho gap nhau trong luc tap trung " Nguy quan" nam 75 (Tat que o mien Trung ve que vo o Go Cong.)
Thang 10 nam 2008 toi va Hoang ngo Ky xuong Go Cong tham anh Thang va Tat , moi biet ra ,vo chong anh da song cuoc doi co cuc trong nhieu nam tai que nha ...Gio day Tat va anh Thang cung kha hon roi !
Le Thanh Tat biet ro anh Thang tu sau 75 den nay .
Anh Van (k3) dang o VN , hom 28/10/10 Phat va anh "Van Com "co di tham anh Thang o GCong.
Day la nhung thong tin chinh xac va trung thuc ve anh Thang , toi hi vong se duoc coi mo va sang to ve hanh vi cua anh ay .

Men chuc anh va gia dinh duoc an lanh hanh phuc .

TT Phat

WEBMASTER: TT Phat included this photo and I wonder if that is him in this picture. If it is, i remember him well, he lost one foot in an Op 1967 out at the CHina Sea Coast with the ST-2's 7th plt.

Lt. Roy Dean Matthews, DOc Riojas, and LDNN Thuy

webmaster: Erasmo "Doc" Riojas docrio45 [at] gmail DOT com

Liên Đoàn Người Nhái (LDNN); Training Camp in CamRanhBay 'nam

It is with great sadness that the UDT-SEAL Association informs its membership about the passing of

BMC Walter "Sam" Ciechon, USN (Ret.) SEAL, Class 25, on July 9, 2010.

lt to rt: Sam Cichon, and other class members. Sam is the oldest man to graduate from UDT training on the East Coast. Note the second man got his pot worn out on top, you KNOW that he was holding his end of the IBS.

Walter "SAM" Ciechon USN (Ret.) SEAL, Class 25 Walter "Sam" Ciechon, 88, died Friday, July 9, 2010, in Prince William Hospital in Northern Virginia of pneumonia. He was the husband of Theresa (Chamberlain) Ciechon of Virginia Beach, married Dec. 7, 1962. He was born in Morden in the province of Manitoba, Canada on Jan. 21, 1922. The son of Micholai and Alexandria (Seminuk) Ciechon, he moved from Canada to Lynn, Mass., in 1927 with his siblings and parents. He was a World War II veteran of the U.S. Navy. He served as a hard hat diver, in EOD and UDT 21-22. He retired in 1962 and then worked for Prudential Insurance Companies.

He was a member of Bayside Masonic Lodge, National Rifle Association, and The UDT Seal Association. He was of Protestant faith. He enjoyed spending time with family, friends and especially his grandchildren. He loved to laugh.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Janet Fox of Texas; a son, Samuel Martin Ciechon and wife Patsy of Virginia Beach; a daughter, Melanie Ciechon Emerick and husband Kevin of Fairfax, Va.; five grandchildren, Vanessa Fox, Dino Kiriakou, Nicholas Walter Ciechon, Walt William Emerick, and Avarie Grace Emerick; and many others he considered a part of his extended family. He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Edward; a sister, Mary; and a brother, Joseph Ciechon.

Memorial services: will be held 3 p.m. Saturday, July 24, at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 509 S. Rosemont Road, Virginia Beach, by Chaplain O'Boyle.

A celebration of his life: will be held at Grand Affairs, 2036 Pleasure House Road, Virginia Beach, following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Alzheimer's Association , P.O. Box 96011, Washington, DC 20090-6011, Alz.org.

Chris Kinney SamWitwicky Harry Humphries