I was a Asst Mgr of McDonalds Pittsburgh Pa. Actually the snitch for the Big Mac. Long Story goes with this. Also drove for Purolator Courier Corp. Had routes in Pittsburgh where
I would put 89 miles a day in the city. Then I got a route where I drove to Cleveland 5 nights a week. I liked that route the best. I could harass the Cleveland Brown and Indian Fans because I was from Pittsburgh. I did that for about 2 years. Oh yes, 3 Snow belts on the way up and 3 snow belts on the way home. Guess you have to love snow LOL.
I married my wife Donna in May 9th,1970. We actually started dating in 1964, (9th Grade). Today, we have a daughter Tracey, born at Dover AFB) & 2 sons Jason & Sean, both served in U S Army. Today they each have 2 kids each. It's great being Grandparents.
I also served 18 years with the Big Knob Vol Fire Dept. Worked for Community Ambulance in Aliquippa for about 5 years in the 80's.
I recently retired from Horsehead Corporation as a bricklayer after 32 years of service.
I was formally the Newsletter Editor & Secretary for Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 862 here in Beaver County Pa. Gave it up after 17 years.
Presently, I am the Webmaster and SPOC. (Single Point of Contact)
We are the largest VVA chapter in Pennsylvania and the 3rd largest in the US, and we only started this chapter in 2000. .In June of 2010 I was voted in as VVA Pa State Council - Secretary.
I just took over our Chapter Web Site as Webmaster. Check out http://www.vva862.org"All New"
Other Comments:
I DJ'd for about 25 years commonly known as "Lee's Oldies Express" retiring from that in 1995.
I sang Bass in 2 different Barbershop Quartets. "Sweetwater Celebration" from the Sewickley and North Hills area of Pittsburgh & " A Special Blend" here in Beaver County PA. Retired from that around 1985.
I also am a "Ham Radio Operator and hold a "Extra Class" license with the callsign N3IAL since the mid 80's.
Same time period, I Played in an over 30 Indoor Soccer League along with refering and coaching Youth Soccer wih FAST = "Freedom Area Soccer Teams". Ended up being the PA West Soccer Association West District Registrar.
I have been singing since I was 8 years old. Locally I sing either the National Anthem, God Bless America & "God Bless the USA" . When I go to our C7-A Reunions, I always sing "God Bless The USA" for the closing ceremonies. As of Sept 2010, I've got to sing at Pegion Forge Tn in 2006, 2007 in San Antonio Tx, 2008 at Wright Patt Air Force Museum (this was the best I ever sounded) and this years 2010 at Macon Ga.
I do have a Grandson, Jordan Escamilla, now in his 4th year at the Air Force Academy, who is planning on flying either the F-22 or F-35's or maybe Helicopters, who know in todays Air Force. Heck, he may even end up in a C 17. You never know. He has participated with the Air Force Drum & Bugle Band and also did filming with the Air Force Football Team while at the Academy.
I can't wait to see how his career goes from here. He did graduate from the Academy in 2020. Yes, It was different but they did graduate even with the Covid - 19 Pandemic going on.
Jordan is now in training at Ft Rucker, Al for Helicopter Training. ot sure which one he'll end up on. I really think he wants the "PAVEHAWK"
My wife Donna and I are very proud of Jordan as he begins to serve his country n the U S Air Force but we are proud of all our grandkids.
Vietnam War/Summer-Fall 1969 Campaign
From Month/Year
June / 1969
To Month/Year
October / 1969
Description
While Viet Cong and North Vietnamese military activity in South Vietnam continued at a low level and U.S. forces gradually withdrew, the Republic of Vietnam re-equipped and modernized its armed forces in a program called “Vietnamization.” To meet the VNAF ‘s needs for trained personnel, the USAF in the fall of 1969 began training programs both in South Vietnam and the United States. On December 1, 1969, the AC-47 gunships flew their last combat missions as U.S. aircraft: subsequently, the United States transferred the AC-47s to the VNAF and the Royal Laotian Air Force (RLAF). A few weeks later, on January 22, 1970, the U.S. Air Force began transferring to the VNAF the Tactical Air Control System that handled air defense, tactical attacks, and air traffic control in South Vietnam. On March 15 the USAF inactivated the 37th Tactical Fighter Wing at Phu Cat, an air base on the coast 250 miles northeast of Saigon, and the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing at Cam Ranh
Bay, 180 miles northeast of Saigon. The USAF began withdrawing civil engineering units in April.
The USAF might reduce its forces and operations in South Vietnam, but other events prompted increased U.S. involvement in Laos. On November 1, 1969, with the onset of another dry season. the USAF began another intensive air campaign. COMMANDO HUNT III. in the Laotian panhandle to counter an increasing flow southwards of enemy troops and supplies. The 14th Special Operations Wing's AC-119 and AC-130 gunships. although only flying a small number of the total sorties along the Ho Chi Minh Trail, accounted for almost half of the destroyed or damaged trucks. Meanwhile. tactical air and B-52 aircrews focused on area targets and antiaircraft positions.
While the USAF effort in the Laotian panhandle focused on interdiction. aerial action in northem Lam involved close air support. In January 1970 the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese mounted a major offensive against Royal Laotian forces. On January 4 the Seventh Air Force sent a helicopter squadron to Long Tieng, an airstrip 100 miles north of Vientiane, for operations around Muong Soui. It also dispatched AC-119K gunships to Udorn Air Base. Thailand. on February 15 to provide armed reconnaissance along major roads in northem Laos and close air support for Laotian forward bases. Two days later. in an effort to slow the enemy advance. the USAF used B—52s against North Vietnamese and Pathet Lao positions in northern Laos. Despite the intense air attacks. the Communist forces captured Muong Soui on Febuary 24 and advancing over the Plain of Jars. by March 17 threatened Long Tieng. The Seventh Air Force helped fly in reinforcements of Thai and Laotian troops to Long Tieng and evacuated refugees, while its tactical aircraft provided close air support to the beleaguered troops. By March 30 the Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese forces once again had retreated. and Long Tieng appeared safe, at least until the next dry season.
‘The North Vietnamese and Viet Cong for many years had used Cambodia as a sanctuary with relative impunity, although the USAF as early as
March 1969 bombed targets in Cambodia with B-52s. Then, in March 1970, a new Cambodian government challenged the Communist military
presence. The Communists reacted with a military campaign against Cambodian forces. As the conflict escalated, on April 20 Cambodian Premier Lon Nol formally sought U.S. aid. On the 24th the USAF began flying tactical missions against enemy targets in Cambodia, and 5 days later, the ARVN entered Cambodia to destroy enemy bases and supplies and assist Cambodian troops fighting the Communists.