I read with great interest and emotion “From Shooter to Target.” As a USAF 462XO working in the AC-130 gun shop, 408MMS, we rarely heard of incidents such as this. We all knew what was going on, what the job of the AC-130 was, and prayed they all came back safely.

I remember one turnaround we had when three [flight crew members] were inside the plane on a hot turn. The pilot gave us five minutes to vacate or we were going with them. My crew chief, Newman Fair, informed the pilot we had not finished. All of a sudden, the plane was taxiing with us still inside.

Luckily, we had one more chance to jump out at the end of the runway prior to takeoff. I’ll never forget that episode, along with many more. I honor the brave crews of the AC-130s.

Paul Kotchian
Mashpee, Mass.

Great article on Spectre in the March/April issue. I was a member of that outfit from July 1969 through February 1970 when I rotated back to the States. I was an Administrative Specialist at Ubon Royal Thai Air Base.

Willard F. Canary
Rising Star, Texas

I’m against any merger, but extremely against a VFW merger. Any hint of a VFW merger and I’m gone.

I was a member of the American Legion in the ’80s and let my membership lapse after their treatment of the USS Liberty survivors’ group. When my town gave the old town hall to the VFW, I went over and talked to someone there. I got a cool welcome and was asked to come back and talk to their commander. I did and was rudely told they were not interested in Vietnam vets who lost the war. I will have nothing to do with them.

I am now a VVA life member, although it never occurred to me at the time that I would outlive VVA. I did three tours in Nam, the adventure of my life.

Douglas Page
Pelham, N.H.

I believe Forrest Hester is correct with his idea of merging, but my thought is, not with the VFW. For many years, they wouldn’t allow us membership, saying that we were not in a foreign war. It might be better to work with the American Legion.

D. Alford
via email

May Vietnam Veterans of America NEVER merge with the VFW or change its name to VFW. Apparently, Forrest Hester is not aware of VVA’s Founding Principle, “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” Furthermore, he doesn’t know its genesis.

When I returned from Vietnam, I attempted to join the VFW. I was told, and I quote, “We don’t want no Vietnam veterans.” I was one of many who faced that rejection by the VFW. For VVA to merge or change its name to VFW would be an insult, not only to all returning Vietnam veterans, but also to those who didn’t make it home.

Norman Koch
via email

In the March/April issue, there were letters from veterans about Red Cross Donut Dollies, including one about Biên Hòa Airbase in 1968-69. I was one of those women assigned there at that time.

Since I am not a military veteran, I am not eligible to be a VVA member but would like very much to again thank that veteran for his service and tell him that none of them have ever left our hearts.

Judy Beecham Rothman
via email

The “Parting Shot” in the March/April issue includes a brief photographic essay about four Vietnam War helmets. I couldn’t help but notice that there were no flight helmets represented.

Therefore, I am sending you a picture of my flight helmet, taken in 1970 (below), providing us pilots with an equal opportunity to display our creative helmetry during the war.

Tom Morrissey
via email

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