Thursday, September 22, 2016

47th anniversary of my dear Brother's Death in Vietnam.

Ron Alexander shared a memory.
22 mins
47th year anniversary of my dear Brother's death in Vietnam, tragically also the 69th year of his life. He died on the day of his birth tragically with only two weeks left of his "duty" over there. These were supposedly "safe" weeks, and he was not supposed to be flying combat missions then. Barry was a gregarious loving person and his death left a big void in many people's life, At this time of year, I still feel a lot of grief, as do many others. Rest in peace Brother! "WHAT WAS THIS VIETNAM WAR GOOD FOR - NOTHING, ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!"
Gisele Fahrbach every war is totally useless!!!

 WW2 was necessary, as both Germany and Japan attacked us and declared war on us first. We had no choice as both our coasts were under seige - Pearl Harbor plus two Aleutian Islands occupied, and the Holocaust plus Nazi sub attacks with over 200 of our boats sunk off East Coast on our shores before we entered war (After Germany declared war on us first).




Sad Anniversary
Vietnam Memorial --- Panel 18W - - Line 124 [8]
42 years ago today, 9/22/1969, Barry Kenneth Alexander died in Quang Tin Province, South Vietnam. He was born on 9/11/1947 in Clemson, South Carolina and had just celebrated his 22nd birthday. Barry served our nation as a helicopter pilot and died by hostile fire. A few weeks later his body was returned for burial. Seeing his coffin, draped with the United States flag, was forever etched into my memory as I started my senior year in high school.
Thanks Cuz, yes Barry was a terrific guy. He was killed in his Medivac helicopter with only 2 weeks left. The Medivacs were the most dangerous, and he volunteered to pilot them as very few percentage wanted to pilot them. He was training another pilot to take his place that day, who was the only survivor, and lived to tell the story of the booby-trapped injured soldiers, they were trying to save. I was in the army at the same time, and suffered for many years with grief and survival guilt.


Ron Alexander

Write a reply...
Susan Chaffin Watters I have no adequate words to express my sorrow for you and your family. Sending you love and light.

Ron Alexander Public response to Gisele Fahrbach above: WW2 was necessary, as 
Germany and Japan attacked us and declared war on us first and we had no choice as both our coasts were under seige - Pearl Harbor and the Holocaust plus Nazi sub attacks on our shores before we entered war!
LikeReply4 hrsEdited
Paula Dyer He lives on in your heart and your memories of him, Ron.


Something really synchronistic happened today at a Vietnam Welcome Home Ceremony put on by the Red Cross. The featured speaker was a former helicopter pilot. He has written a book called BLADES OF THUNDER. He wrote about the 42 classmates who were killed in Vietnam. He mentioned that several he could not locate, and talked of finding one. He had to leave early to babysit "3 grandkids". So I rushed after him to tell him of my Brother Barry. He said "you are Barry Alexander's Brother! He was my best friend in training. I have been looking for his relatives even mentioning him in Clemson when I spoke there." I told him that none of our relatives live there now, and I may be last remaining one. He is in my book, and I will write more about him in my next book, when I find out more about him for you. We hugged and agreed to meet again soon. And I told him I would send him the Youtube I did Dogtags and Body Bags in memory of CWO Barry Alexander. Or Barry's YouTube https://youtu.be/Wls8ineKpCY
Dogtags and Body Bags, Tribute to Barry Alexander - story of vet. Brother, not in Viet Nam, overcoming his grief and survivors guilt by writing and imaging about his love for his broth...youtube.com 

A friend called it a "Divine Appt.". 

Great to meet you also Ron. What a miracle to find you! The tribute you did for Barry is wonderful. I have prayed for Barry and his/your family for 47 years. He was a fine young man and officer---as you well know. I also know Barry is very proud of you.



Pamela Arrington My cousin died over there also. There are some Veteran's sites where you may find people who knew him. I found the wife of the co-pilot and she gave me a letter sent to her by one of the ground crew who saw the Chinook my cousin was piloting go down. There was the truth and the Army's truth which turned out not to be the same thing. It is good to connect with these guys who were over there.

Pamela Arrington Sorry for your loss Ron.

Ron Alexander I am so grateful, Pamela. Yes, there was an Army lie about my brothers' death also. They said there were no survivors. And I find out about his co-pilot/student 27 years later, and ended up on TV. It was a bitter-sweet discovery, as heart-broken Mom ha...See More

Margaret Lee Am so sorry for your loss Ron


Pendah Fields I know just how you feel! So sorry for your loss,




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