Archive for August, 2009

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Honors at Arlington – the book!

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

Subject: Re Honors at Arlington Book-its Published!

Hello Fred and all of you who made the “Honors At Arlington Trip,”

Eric and I, are very proud to make an official announcement that the “Honors at Arlington” Book we have been working on since June, has been completed! Its is available on line for anyone to purchase or to preview. Here is the link to the website:

http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/831935

If you cannot find it, type in your address bar “blurb.com” and in the search field type “Honors at Arlington,” it should get you there. The full name of the book is “Honors at Arlington: Missing in America Project” by Larissa Browning and Eric Matchko.

Now, let’s talk business for a minute. Eric and I have devoted a lots of hours into this book. We had to go thru 5,000 pictures and every newspaper and news publications at the end of the trip. (By the way, Fred, we will contact some of the newspapers and authors letting them know that their work has been published again and give “thank yous” to all of them for contributing.) Anyway, we had a tough job deciding whose pictures will make it and whose would not, so, we made a critical decision to publish this book with the material we had and tried not to miss a face or event. So, this ended up in the book we have now that has almost 700 pictures and 320 pages, including newspaper articles, personal stories and little comments about the trip. (We really tried shortening it, really really tried, but it would not be fair to some people whose pictures would have been cut out. That’s the truth!) This book is a non-profit endeavor and comes from our hearts. So, we understand that the price might come as a surprise for a lots of people, unfortunately, we cannt control it, it was set by the publishing company and compared to wedding albums you might order – trust us this is cheap compared to the 200-300 dollars a book THEY charge! Yikes! There are, however, some things could be done in order to get a better price. For example, if you order a soft cover book and 10 books or more at a time, the publishing company will give a 10% discount and a break on shipping. So, 10 soft cover books will cost with shipping and tax total of $648.30, thats $64.83 per book. The most expensive is the hard cover with image wrap, it looks more impressive but comes with a bigger price tag. The book can be ordered directly from that website.

This book also can be googled on line, it will have a tag and a short description like this, all made by Eric: “Honors at Arlington is a photo-documentary of an incredible 10 day journey on motorcycles across the United States; a massive undertaking to bury three forgotten war heros at Arlington National Cemetery. The remains of thousands of vets are sitting on the shelves of funeral homes across the country, often for years without the funds or the resources to pay them their due respect. Often they lie forgotten with no family left to claim them. The Missing in America Project finds these vets and seeks to honor them with the burials they deserve and escorts them to their final resting place with dignity.”

Eric and I will also try to post some of the pictures that got published in the book on to MIAP photography on flickr:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/24786655@N08/

But, it would be impossible to post all 700 pictures and it would not do the project justice. We will be glad to respond to individual requests if anyone needs assistance with ordering or wanting a copy of their pictures emailed to them or anything like that.

We have enjoyed this trip and thank everyone for the great experience, especially the Redding gang, Fred, Buffalo Solders, SAR, Boozefighters and other riders who participated in this event. It was a great trip, a trip of a life time. Johnnie Callahan, Isaiah Mays and James Dunn have been buried with great respect and unbelievable honors, all done by you! It was an amazing patriotic act as we have ever seen. THANK YOU FOR THAT!

We are going to try our best to promote this book in anyway we can, helping to raise money for those who would like to have a copy but cannot afford it. (P.S. Fred, Eric’s parents even donated some money, so we ordered one for Steve.)

Larissa’s personal website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/31461804@N05/
Eric’s personal website: http://www.flickr.com/photos/75437371@N00/

With great love and honors,
Sincerely,
Eric Matchko and Larissa Browning

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Photos from the Fernley, NV mission

Saturday, August 29th, 2009

Photos taken by Jack Jackson:  http://picasaweb.google.com/gadgetman.jack/MIAPFernleyNV#

Not much to report about this mission even though I was there!  It was hot – one kid fainted – lots of bikes, decent crowd, and the service was conducted with honor and dignity.  In view of the heat, the speaking could have been a little shorter!!!

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Fernley Mission – article from Reno Gazette Journal

Thursday, August 27th, 2009

FERNLEY–On Friday, the cremated remains of five Nevada Veterans will be laid to rest, with full military honors at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

The 2 p.m. ceremony is the first such ceremony in Nevada, according to the Nevada office of Veterans Services and will be an ongoing effort when the remains of unclaimed soldiers are identified.

The soldier’s remains were left unclaimed in a funeral home in Elko, and through efforts of the Missing in America Project the cremated remains will not be forgotten.

The remains will be escorted from Elko to Fernley by beginning at 8 a.m. Nevada Highway Patrol and carried by motorcycle rides of the POW/MIA Association of Elko and American Legion Riders of Reno, Sparks and Fernley.

The Missing in America Project is a non-profit organization that began in 2006. the organization was inspired and launched a national effort in 2007 after Wes Block, superintendent of the NNVMC in Fernley, interred the remains of 34 veterans whose remains were unclaimed in Reno funeral homes.

For more details, call the MIAP at 775-777-1000

Hmmm…an old-time MIAP’er can always be educated.   Time to give old Fred a shout!

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Fishes and Loaves, Redding, CA

Monday, August 24th, 2009

MIAP is proud to be a part of this program.  Amazing what groups can accomplish when they work together, don’t you think?  It would be so nice if all organizations, claiming they support our troops and veterans, would band together and support programs such as this.  Unfortunately, politics, pettiness and hyperinflated egos – and defense funds — preclude them from doing anything to help out those they profess to stand for.

From good old Fred:

Everyone,

 

The OGR, “Vets Assist” in cooperation with Loaves and Fishes conducts a food bank for North State Veterans and their families every Sunday at Tobacco and Brew (back parking lot) on Hilltop Dr in Redding.  This starts at 10 am and has been closing by 11 am.  There is a growing group of veterans, as the word spreads, that are present every week and receiving help and assistance.

 

Food items are provided on the spot but other help and assistance is available upon request.  Everything from counseling services, bibles and a larger selection of support for families.

 

We have all been requested  to donate canned goods and dry food items like cereals, pasta etc to provide for items  needed by Loaves and fishes to provide a balanced diet.  Boxes are available every Sunday to drop off these items.

 

This has been ongoing for about 8 weeks.  Below is an email from OGR describing this week’s program.

 

Thank you all for any help and support that you have or can provide.  Working together we can make a difference.

 

fred

 

From Vets Assist,

 

“Another very successful “Food Bank” day today.

 

Mike along with the guys and gals that oversee this project have it down to a science now.  I think I counted over 30 folks that were taken care of today.

 

My best estimate is that this OGR/MIAP project  has distributed close to 2 tons of food to date.  That’s a lot eats.

 

We can all take pride in our efforts as OGR knowing that we are serving the north state veterans and anyone else who seeks our help.

 

Thanks for all that you do.

 

Kip

OGR State Coordinator/MIAP”

 

Onwards and upwards

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Support for a Heroic Child – Lillian Ellis

Friday, August 21st, 2009

No matter how aggravating the old boy can be, you cannot deny he has a heart as big as he is.  I have no doubt by the end of this ride he will live up to his real name – Fred “Waterworks” Salanti!!  Hope the ride is successful and this wonderful child gets a donated kidney.  

 

From Fred:

 

Everyone,

 

This is NOT a permitted MIAP Escort.

 

Most of you know that I was born and raised in Mt. Shasta.  High School friends have contacted me requesting a special showing of support and help in escorting a 5 year old girl with kidney disease to a special fund raiser in Yreka. This is particularly close to my heart as I only have one kidney and it works at only 32% effectiveness.  As most of you know that does not leave me a full deck to work with (lol). I hope that when I have to follow in this girls footsteps with dialysis and transplant, I can bear it as well as she.  She has been on the Kidney donor’s list for years with no results yet.

 

Her Grandparents were pioneers with my family to Mt. Shasta area.  Our efforts in escorting for Travis Woods and my mother did not go unnoticed in Mt Shasta.

 

We are being asked to present a Patriotic presence in Mt Shasta and fall in line with a CHP lead.  The Mount Shasta CHP  will lead to the Weed Rest Area, where a Yreka CHP will take over.

 

We will then be asked to take part in a ceremony in Yreka. 

 

This is purely a volunteer request for hopefully a beautiful ride and the satisfaction of a feel good effort.

 

Lillian has braved this adversity with a spirit we should all have.  Her family is in financial difficulty from medical costs.  I and hopefully some of you will ride to support Lillian and her family. 

 

When:  Saturday, Sept 12, 2009

 

Staging:   0930 hours,  Rays Sentry parking lot, Mt Shasta

 

KSU:         1000 hours

 

Ceremony: 1100 hours Yreka.

 

More information will be forthcoming but for now mark this on your calendar if you are interested.  Richard Merriman, please post to NorCalVets event calendar.

 

Fred “Ducpho” Salanti

Missing in America Project

Executive Director

Website:  www.miap.us

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Agenda for Elko/Fernley, NV 8-28-09

Friday, August 21st, 2009

Here is the proposed agenda for Elko to Fernley, NV.

 

August 27, 2009

6:30pm, Elko, memorial ceremony at Elko Park by The Raul Bravo Tree*

 

August 28, 2009

8:00 am, Elko, riders depart

Winnemucca & Lovelock fuel stop, no time for public activity

 

2:00pm, NNVMC Fernley

Remains arrive

Honor Guard accepts remains

Honor Guard displays remains with flag

Honor Guard posts colors with Bag Pipers play

Rifle Team posted

Bob Pasero, MIA Chaplain, pray and gives overview of MIAP

Tim Tetz, welcomes remains and participants, Tim intros Fred Salanti, National MIAP Director

Fred Salanti, brief presentation on MIAP, Fred intro Dorothy 

Dorothy Minor, Poem

Tim intros governor and other possible speakers

Governor Gibbons address (possible DC delegation speeches, on topic of MIAP ONLY)

Amazing Grace

21 gun salute

Taps

Flag folded and presented to Governor

Remains carried to wall

 

We have 10 rooms reserved in Elko and 5 rooms in Reno.  Please advise quickly if you need accommodations.  A revised schedule for Redding riders for Thursday morning will be published next week.

 

Fred “Ducpho” Salanti

Missing in America Project

Executive Director

Website:  www.miap.us

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Redding City Ordinance re MIAP

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

 

Funeral Escort Service

Redding City Ordinance No. 2414

Chapter 11.48.010

It is the purpose of this chapter to use the power conferred to Local agencies by Section 21100 (e) of the California Vehicle Code to authorize the appointment of persons other than traffic officers to direct traffic in such prescribed situations and locations as may require traffic direction for orderly flow.

The Missing in America Project (MIAP)

is currently the only authorized group to conduct funeral escorts with permits approved by the Red-ding Chief of Police. A non-profit 501 (c ) (3) veter-ans organization MIAP is insured and offers FREE escorts to veterans families.

Other escorts are available: 530-229-9000 (Fred)

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Mission for Joseph Henry Svogar – 9/9/09

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

Joseph Henry Svogar

June 9, 1923—Unknown

Flight Officer US Army Air Corps

Abandoned in a Rental Storage Unit!

Retrieved by MIAP—July 30, 2009

Memorial Service—Sept 9, 2009

Northern California Veterans Cemetery

A rental storage unit was auctioned for past due rent. As garage sale enthusiasts dug through the items, Joseph’s cremains, a US Flag and a footlocker loaded with personal history and military items were discovered. MIAP was contacted and retrieved him.

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MIAP to Honor Soldiers with Military Burial – Reno Gazette Journal

Thursday, August 20th, 2009

 

The article neglected to mention MIAP escort riders from Redding will be in attendance!!!  Details, details – amazing what gets left out.

Staff Report • August 19, 2009

  • FERNLEY–On Aug. 28, the cremated remains of five Nevada soldiers will be buried with full military honors at the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery.
This is the first such ceremony, which will take place at 2 p.m., and entails laying to rest unclaimed remains of veterans.

According to the Nevada Office of Veterans Services (NOVS), the five cremated remains were located in a funeral home in Elko.

The NOVS noted some of the remains had been left at the funeral home for nearly a decade and there are a number of reasons cremated remains go unclaimed or forgotten.

The remains will be escorted from Elko to Fernley by Nevada Highway Patrol and carried by motorcycle riders from the POW/MIA Association of Elko and the American Legion Riders from Reno, Sparks and Fernley, reported a NOVS press release.

For more detials, call Dorothy Minor, Missing in American Project, at 775-777-1000.

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At Last He’s At Rest, Thanks to the Marines

Friday, August 14th, 2009

18 years later: 1st Gulf War casualty laid to rest

By RON WORD, Associated Press Writer Ron Word, Associated Press Writer – Fri Aug 14, 2:08 pm ET

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Navy pilot Scott Speicher, the long-missing first casualty of the first Gulf War, was finally laid to rest Friday in his adopted hometown as thousands of people lined the streets to watch a funeral procession pass his school, church and former military base.

Speicher was shot down in 1991 on the first night of the Gulf War. For more than 18 years, no one knew if he was killed or being held prisoner in Iraq until his remains were discovered in the desert, west of Baghdad, earlier this month.

“Eighteen years, six months and 11 days, that needs to be a record that is never broken,” said Buddy Harris, a former Navy pilot and friend who accompanied Speicher’s body home to Jacksonville from Dover, Del. Harris married Speicher’s widow, Joanne, and helped raise Speicher’s son and daughter, plus two more children with Joanne.

Motorcycles, their red and blue lights flashing, led Speicher’s hearse and family following in a limousine along a 30-mile route of sites special to Speicher.

At a monument for war veterans where Speicher’s name was engraved in 1995, military officials, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and the Jacksonville mayor talked about his military service. Dozens of roses were placed against the wall, where an eternal flame burns. Later, the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office fired a 21-gun salute.

The motorcade traveled to Lake Shore United Methodist Church, where Speicher taught Sunday School. It rolled past Nathan B. Forrest High School, where he excelled at swimming and tennis.

Hundreds of people, including veterans and infants, gathered at each of the locations, including the site of the former Cecil Field Naval Air Station where Speicher’s squadron, the Sunliners, was based before he left on the USS Saratoga for the Gulf War.

Shelly Bradley’s husband was on the USS Saratoga when Speicher was shot down.

“It is nice to know he is home. It’s not exactly what we had hoped, but maybe it will bring some closure to his family,” said Bradley, of St. Augustine.

Chief Warrant Officer Brian Farrell, an instructor pilot with the Florida National Guard, dressed in his Army uniform to pay his respects.

“I’m here to recognize the sacrifice this young Navy officer gave to this country and the pain his family has endured for the last 18 years,” Farrell said. “I just got back from Iraq four months ago and I just wanted my family to be a part of it.”

Speicher, a Kansas City-area native who moved to Florida as a teenager, was buried in a private ceremony at Jacksonville Memory Gardens. Four Navy planes flew over the cemetery in the missing man formation.

For nearly two decades after the 33-year-old Speicher disappeared over the Iraq desert, his family pushed the Defense Department to find out what had happened. On Aug. 2, the Pentagon disclosed that Marines had recovered Speicher’s bones and skeletal fragments — enough for a positive identification.

Defense officials originally declared Speicher killed in action hours after his plane was shot down over west-central Iraq. Then-Defense Secretary Dick Cheney announced on television that Speicher was the first casualty of the Gulf War.

Ten years after the crash, the Navy changed Speicher’s status to missing in action, citing an absence of evidence that Speicher had died. In October 2002, the Navy switched his status to “missing/captured,” although it never explained why.

Over the years, critics said the Navy had not done enough, particularly right after the crash, to search for the pilot.

“We just want to honor our fallen hero, since he is from our area. We felt is was our duty to come and honor him and his family,” said Deborah Hudgins, who knew some of Speicher’s family members.

 

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