President Johnson
The most anticipated documentary film in the last 25 years
is about to be shown to what will be a sold out crowd at the LBJ
Presidential Library, in Austin, Texas. The entire Veteran Day weekend
will be one massive celebration for veteran's and their families, as the
film is shown on Saturday the 8th of November. The theater only holds
1,000 guests and tickets will be well sought after by the public.
Information on tickets and scheduled showings will be posted on this website
when they become available.
The Shadow Foundation is Formed
First Order of Business - The Establishment of a
Combat Medic Badge
In The Shadow of The Blade, Inc., the nonprofit foundation which has
grown out of the documentary film project, has supported the effort to
retroactively award Vietnam's helicopter medical evacuation medics with the
Combat Medic Badge. This effort is being led by John Travers
(whose email address is below) and has substantial support in Congress.
We have provided a pro bono video to introduce their lobbying effort, as
well as contact information for people whose testimony could be of value to
them. Our board decided to support this effort because, as Bob Baird
says, "the helicopter medics have earned this." As all of us know, a
helicopter medic in Vietnam was highly likely to encounter enemy fire during
any given mission. Vietnam helicopter medics evacuated an average of
1500-2000 wounded in a one-year tour, and 1/3 of them were killed or wounded
in action, yet they have been denied the award that would attest to them
being in combat. Although the CMB was awarded to several thousand
medics in armored units in the few weeks of the Gulf War, it has been denied
to Vietnam's helicopter medics.
By the way, 55 of their names are on The Wall.
JT has just informed me that legislation has been introduced to create a
Combat Aeromedic Badge, which would be retroactive to 1950, to
acknowledge the reality that helicopter medics were in combat in Vietnam and
other conflicts. The legislation is House Bill 2587, in case you or members
of your veteran organizations would like to write their representatives in
support.
Cheryl Fries
RELATED EMAILS TO THE ABOVE ACTIONS
From: "Travers, John M." <John.Travers@pa.ngb.army.mil>
Date: Wed Jul 16, 2003
To: Cheryl Fries <cfries@arrowheadfilms.com>
Subject: FW: VVA Support
Cheryl,
As this bill moves through congress anything you can do will be
greatly appreciated. Also in talking to Senator Specters folks we asked that
once the hearing begins your Video be shown prior to the testimony to set
the mood. Thanks again for everything.
JT
----Original Message-----
From: Travers, John M.
Sent: Wednesday, July 16, 2003
To: 'wizardwhite@msn.com
Subject: VVA Support
Jeff,
As you now know house Bill 2587 has been introduced by 12 members of
the Pennsylvania delegation in Washington DC. This bill mandates the
Army to create the combat aeromedic badge, by amending chapter357 of title
10 US Code. The Senate will also address this bill. We need you to pass the
word at the National VVA convention next week to the members to start
contacting their Reps country wide to lobby for this bill to help their
fellow veterans finally receive their just reward. Also when the national
convention adopts the resolution on the CMB I need to know so as to pass on
to Senator Spectors people.
Thanks old buddy.
JT
