1/83 Artillery Update
August 25, 2015

1/83rd Unit News

1.  Remembrances - August 18th was the 49th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. This battle, fought by the ANZAC forces (Australia and New Zealand) in Phuoc Tuy Province 1966, resulted in 18 KIA for the ANZAC forces, the most of any single action during the Vietnam War.

Vietnam Veterans' Day, celebrated in Australia on 18 August each year, commemorates the Battle of Long Tan and those Australians who served during the Vietnam War and is an opportunity to remember those who did not come home. Remember these brave men in your thoughts and prayers. More can be found on this subject at these links. Click here and here.

This date in history is very significant to our ANZAC Mates, send them a message to let them know that we still stand by them and remember those who fell in this battle along with all the other brave men of their countries who died, were wounded or otherwise suffered in any other way as a result of the Vietnam War.

Click here for a look at how the Battle of Long Tan was remembered at Vietnam Veterans Day services around Australia  in 2015.

Lest we Forget.

2. Sad News -  In case you missed my recent email on this subject, I am repeating it here.

I recently found out that Don (Nod) Donaldson one of our honorary members from New Zealand passed away after fighting lengthy health problems. Nod was with the 161 Battery of the RNZA at Nui Dat in 1967-68. Nod, who was in his 80's, was a great man who did a lot for the Veterans in New Zealand (he served for over 30 years) and was a treasure to hear from. From his many emails we developed a relationship that seemed like we had known each other for many years longer than we actually did. Here is the notice I received from Patrick Duggan, a friend of Nod's and another honorary member of the 1/83rd.

"Hi Bill

It is with a heavy heart that I pass on the news that my old friend Don Donaldson passed away today. A sad moment indeed for me because Don and I go back as far as 1964. We were always great friends and I will miss that friendship immensely.

I have taken the liberty of passing on your and the 1/83rd’s condolences.

Ubique.

Pat"

For anyone who wishes to send along condolences to Nod's family, the contact info I have for Nod is:

178 Hoihere Road
Mangawhata RD 7
Palmerston North New Zealand

3. Sick Call -

a. Dan Bowling's (69-70) wife Nina is battling dome serious health issues. Dan's contact info is on the Roster for anyone who wants to send Nina a card or note of support.

b. Bruce Taiji (67-68) sent me this health update:

"As for my pancreatic cancer treatments, I was going to have my 5th chemo treatment but that had to be put on hold since I developed and came to the hospital with GOUT on the date that my chemo treatment was scheduled. I was entered into the hospital on Tue, 14 July and released on Fri., 17 July (4 days). Because of my admittance to the hospital, the chemo treatment was postponed (delayed) until 4 Aug. At that time I will get my 5th chemo treatment and my initial radiation treatment. That is how it stands at the present."

Keep Bruce in your prayers, his contact info is on the Roster if you want to send him a card or note of support.

c. Otto Aliffi's (66-67) daughter sent me this health update on Otto:

4. Late Arriving August Birthday - Happy Belated Birthday to Arnie Cordova (69-70).

5. Roster and Email List - Make sure to check the Roster and Email list for all of the latest updates.

6. Challenge Coin - You should receive the Challenge Coins you ordered in early September. I will get them out as soon as possible after I receive them.

7. Reunion News - See section below.

8. Unit Merchandise - See section below.

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Be sure to let me know what is going on in your life so we can share it with everyone in this section. See the latest 1/83rd News by clicking here.

Photo of the Week

Photo: Bugler Corporal Ashley Thomson from the Australian Army Band, Tasmania, plays the Last Post at a Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony in Hobart. (ABC News: Jane Ryan)

General News

2. Don Aird (70-71) sent this Vietnam Veteran tribute video narrated by Sam Elliot

Interesting Links and More

a. World War II London Blitz

b. Major Bambi

c. World War II story of "Moe" Berg: Sportsman, Scholar, Spy

2. A friend sent me this. If you have flown on Southwest airlines you may have experienced something similar to this flight attendant announcement.

3. Walt Noechel (69-70) sent this look at gun recoil. Pretty amazing video.

4. A friend sent me this look at Parachuting.

Did you Know

Brevard County, Florida has the telephone area code 321 (as in 3… 2… 1… blast off!), a direct nod to the presence of the John F. Kennedy Space Center located within the county.

(Courtesy of How-To Geek Newsletter)

Website Updates

1. I added a new section to the website titled "Wanted". If any of you want help finding something from the group let me know and I will post it here. Check out the initial request.

2. If you come across anything that you think may be a good addition to our website let me know. Also, if you have any questions or suggestions regarding the website, let me know.

3. Check out all the latest updates by looking at the website Table of Contents.

Vietnam Veterans of America Update

2. VVA Update for July 9, 2015

3. VVA Update for July 16, 2015

4. VVA Update for August 4, 2015

5. VVA Update for August 7, 2015

6. VVA Update for August 14, 2015

7. VVA Update for August 20, 2015

8. VVA website

2016 Reunion News

More details will be coming along in the coming months and I will next be letting you know how to go about making Hotel Reservations.

If you have any questions on the reunion, please let me know.

1/83rd Merchandise

Unit Merchandise - All the proceeds from the sale of these 5 items will go to the 1/83rd Reunion fund.

a. 1/83rd Unit Crest Patch (3.25"h x 2.75"w) - $6 each. Here is a photo.

b. 1/83rd Unit Crest Decal (Decal is round 3.5" x 3.5") - $5 each. Here is a photo.

c. 1/83rd Hat (Adjustable-Black only) - $20 each. Here is a photo.

d. 1/83rd Unit Hat Patch (same patch as is on the 1/83rd hat, 3"h x 6"w) - $6 each. Here is a photo.

e. 1/83rd Challenge Coins (Available in 2 versions, one with firebase names and one without, please specify which version you want when ordering, 1.75" diameter) - $25 each. Here is a photo.

Shipping and handling is included in the above prices.

To order these items, contact Bill Taggart at artillery_83rd@yahoo.com or 856-228-5614 (my contact info is also on the Roster). Make sure you supply your mailing address and phone number when making your request.

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If you want an 83rd Artillery Unit Crest Pin, you need to buy directly from the vendor. I have a link on the website where you can order them from one of the 3 vendors listed. I have bought from all 3 of them and they are identical in quality, all are very good.

1/83rd Roster

I am sure that each of us has someone they would really like to reconnect with. If we all pitch in, we may find many more of our old buddies. Here are some ways to do that:

1. If you are in contact or have contact info for any 1/83rd guys please contact them and tell them about our group or at least tell me and I will contact them.

2. Look through the roster on the website and if you know of others who are not listed, let me know who they are. Also, if you see any incorrect or missing info (including your own entry) let me know.

3. If you have copies of old orders tucked away someplace, send me a copy so I can make sure those names are on the roster.

4. Sometimes all it takes is a name and location and we can find someone but the more details we know the better our chances.

Please make sure that your email system allows emails to be received from both of my email addresses, bill_t_08012@yahoo.com  and artillery_83rd@yahoo.com

Please note that there are no blank spaces in email addresses. What you see in mine between words/characters is the underscore (_) character.

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