(Written by Patt Rall, Bemidji Pioneer Previews, published Sunday, April 20, 2014.) •Northern Exposure to Lifelong Learning continues their spring season of talks with “A Healing Journey with Wendell Affield,” who is the author of “Muddy Jungle Rivers.” Affield will talk about his life after publication of his book, and his speaking engagements when he …
Searching For Sergeant Thomas: Two Clues This Week
The first clue, another picture of Sergeant Thomas at an awards ceremony. Picture taken by Army Veteran, Ray Pineau, sent to me by Loren Salzman. The second clue came from the sister of an army helicopter door gunner who went Missing In Action when his chopper was shot down during the Vietnam War. Donna Elliott’s …
46 years Later: Finally, Clues to a Hero’s Identity, Sergeant Thomas
For more than four decades this man has haunted me. Few of us have the honor to witness actions of a true hero. I did. Yesterday I received my second clue to locating him and his family. Here is a message I just posted in a veterans chat room that is specifically for Army and …
Mobile Riverine Force Museum To Visit 2014 Beltrami County Fair
David Quam, a local Bemidji, MN, resident, has a mission: to document on film World War II veteran’s stories. David’s home page: http://www.ww2bji.org/ I felt honored when he asked to record my Muddy Jungle Rivers experience. David recently learned of my plan to bring our Mobile Riverine Force Museum to Beltrami County Fair. He has …
Muddy Jungle Rivers Book Discussion: A Healing Journey——April 23, 2014
Sponsored By: Northern Exposure to Lifelong Learning (NELL) Program will be in Gonvick Community Center: Coffee at 9am, program at 9:30 and wrap up around 11 or so. depending on questions. Open to the public (From NELL Newsletter) In January 1968 Wendell Affield went to Vietnam as the cox’n of Armor Troop Carrier 112-11 with …
Kindle Countdown Deal
Kindle Countdown Promotion will feature Muddy Jungle Rivers beginning March 27 at 8:00 AM (PST) and run for seven days. Begins with 60% discount fist day (regular price $9.95) , then price will increase 10% each day. Go to: http://www.amazon.com/Muddy-Jungle-Rivers-Wendell-Affield-ebook/dp/B007NLMIF4
National Geographic History Special
March 26, 8 PM Mobile Riverine Force Vietnam For those of you who have read Muddy Jungle Rivers, or are interested in the river war in Vietnam, this History Special will add a new layer of understanding. See the trailer at: http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/channel/episodes/brothers-in-war/ Through gripping first-person accounts and digitally remastered archival footage, including the soldiers’ own …
Thank You to the Community
Patti and I are humbled at the success of Muddy Jungle Rivers. In September we were able to increase our year-to-date contribution to $1,000 to the Bemidji Community Food Shelf, a share of book sales—our way of saying thank you. Since Patti and I returned from the Mobile Riverine Force Reunion in Indianapolis life has …
Ambush Survivors Reunited 45 Years Later: Memories from August 18, 1968
From left to right: Larry Reid, Cleve Chick, David L. Cowley, Larry R. McCormick, Wendell Affield (To put this blog post in context, please read the August 18 post.) Reunions can be poignant, frightening, illuminating. This past week my wife, Patti, and I attended the 2013 Mobile Riverine Force Association Reunion held in Indianapolis. I …
Ambush on Hai Muoi Canal, Vietnam 18 August 1968
Within the first twenty seconds of the ambush, Armor Troop Carrier (ATC) 112-11 takes 3 rockets in the well deck, incapacitating a full platoon of army troops A black army sergeant manning this 50 caliber machine gun was severely maimed when a B-40 rocket burned through the one inch armor. He was a true hero. …