Who Will You See Here At Base Camp?
Here is what Joe says:
"Each year, veterans and their friends
gather at Base Camp which is an area lined with bunker/fighting
positions as at a fire base or at a line unit’s perimeter defense camp.
Military apparel is welcomed. Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom vets are
encouraged to attend. There is a 90-foot high flagpole from which we fly
a large American flag and the Republic of South Viet Nam flag."
But Joe is a modest guy - in reality,
people from all walks of life, from regular folk to celebrities, from
working stiffs to retirees, veterans of combat, veterans of military
service, non-veterans who are friends and supporters of veterans, and
active duty personnel all come together to stand shoulder to shoulder at Base Camp.
Who Are these 4 Amigos? Here's a hint: one of them has been
deployed to Afghanistan - can you guess which one? Our prayers go with
you Ralph! Stay safe, and watch your six, brother!
The American flag flies to honor our US service
men and women, past and present. You'll see many here in person - old
friends and new. Others are here in memory only, but their memory walks
with us and among us in honor.
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Everybody loves to shoot, or to watch!
Could that be a set of "Tiger Stripes" being
worn? With an ARVN shoulder patch? |
The Flag of the Republic of Viet Nam (Việt
Nam Cộng Hòa)
is flow to remember and to honor those who gave so much in the fight to
keep the people of South Vietnam free.
 Every year a number of those veterans of the
military forces of the Republic of Vietnam
also gather at base camp, to thank and honor their American friends, and
to keep alive the memory of their country and way of life that was lost
to them. They have been heard to say that they lost their country in
Southeast Asia but they have found a new home in America and at Joe's Base
Camp - a place where they feel comfortable and welcomed among friends.
 You may
also see members of other countries military services at Base Camp: One
regular is a former Nursing Officer with the Canadian Armed Forces
Medical Services. Look for his distinctive flag and insignia.
You may see representatives from Veterans Affairs
with news and information. You may have an opportunity to meet important
people in government. There are lawyers, doctors, entertainers; you
never know who you might bump into here! Most importantly, all the rest
of us get to meet YOU!
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Here you can see Joe explaining the problems of the world (and
more importantly, their solutions!) to Betsey, left, and Dr. Dana
Myatt, formerly Captain Myatt of the Coconino Company of the Arizona
Rangers, right. |
At Base Camp 2004
Joe presented Betsey Bayless, former Arizona Secretary of State, with a
1 Cav hat. Betsey is a strong supporter of Vietnam Vets, and has a great
respect for the people of the Republic of Vietnam.
You might see folks from the Military Vehicle Collectors
Club there, with some of their outstanding restorations! Click on the
logo to the left to visit their website! (this
will open in a new window) These are "veterans
made of iron" and it is wonderful to see the care and attention that has
gone into them.
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