I still have my Gecko 64 year book and my school buddy and I (Clinton Leopard) were in Newsweek in the picture of us leaving the school during the 1965 evacutation. Clinton was carrying a Viet Namese wooden model boat and I am the one behind him. We my mom, brother and I eventually landed at NAS Miramar we were interviewd by the San Diego Tribune…Navy Wife Flees Vietnam…or something like that. It was the day Nat King Cole died as his picture is on the bottom of the page.

I still have a nice scrapbook with pictures of the Coup, our homes, getting on the school bus with the MP and “white mouse” VN policeman. Grenade wire on the windows.

Rob Luke

Expect her arrival soon!

Rock Onnnn … Saigon Kids

Bob

In retrospect, the Gulf of Tonkin incident has turned out to be a questionable event. The so-thought terrorist acts at Hue were proven not to be initiated by VC or the North Vietnamese. Other actions also remain in question.

Though the author may have been working from “solid” information at the time, in retrospect we now know there was a great deal of misinformation provided to enhance the desire for escalating the war, (much like Iraq) and changing the nature of life from what most of the Saigon Kids experienced and recall with fondness.

I appreciate the detail of the article, but consume it with a grain of salt knowing the after-history where many grew to question the authority of information we were provided.

Not to take up the side of the opposition, but I recently read books by Truong Nhu Tang – “A Viet Cong Memoir” and the memoir “Buddha’s Child” by Nguyen Cao Ky. Truong and Ky were both disillusioned by their experience and the outcomes of the war. As I read them, my critical mind spun with concern for the truth, and the complicated web surrounding the period. The posted article brought forward in question much of what we were told during this time, and like many of the Kids, I too wish to think of the good things that occurred during my brief visit to Saigon. However, don’t ask me to accept such information without question.

Ms. Westmoreland was correct about the mis-placed blame on her dad. The responsible parties have never seen much light cast upon them.

Bob

And, yes the “K” in SKIA is for “KISS” …

Rock On ….

Oh, struck out on Karen Walthers…Will try again with more searching…Still wish I could find Suzie Hunt or Kaye Malone. Ken

Also, if you look up Gen. William Westmoreland on Wikipedia it shows the name of his son. Locate his son who can then point you to Katherine (his sister). Click Here Son’s name is James Ripley Westmoreland. BTW son James goes by the nick name of “Rip” — Click Here Check out Page 625 by Clicking Here for an address and phone number (?current?) of “Rip” …

Who might this be? Click Here — could it be that daughter ‘Katherine’ went by the nick name of ‘Stevie’ (her middle name being Stevens) — as a way to distinguish her from her mother Katherine??? You’ll find the answer by Clicking Here and reading the family information on this page —

Click Here — it seems according to Lady Byrd’s diary (page 358) that Katherine Westmoreland (16 year old daughter of Gen. Westmoreland) was at the White House on Feb. 5, 1966 and flew with LBJ on Air Force One to Hawaii where she met up with her parents to celebrate Mrs. Westmoreland’s birthday … Lady Byrd’s diary is an interesting read … LOL

Search on my friend … very interesting search results come up … LOL

Bob

PS: Final clue – LOL – Katherine Stevens “Stevie” Westmoreland is a family therapist in Kennebunk, ME and a member of The Church On The Cape –

PPS: Evening update – just spent another 5 minutes Googling and now have address and phone number for Stevie. Have not phoned to confirm yet, but will do so when I get a chance over the next few days. Unless, someone who knew her at ACS would like to do the honors … LOL