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Comments on Alan Stang's Perestroika Sunset
By
R. W. "Dick" Gaines
1952-'72 USMC (Ret.)
(Gunny G's Websites)
THE MAJORITY of the American public, I would say, actually knows little or nothing of the so-called POW/MIA controversy. Namely: Did we leave American POWs and MIAs behind in Vietnam? If we did, under what circumstances, how many, and why won't the American government admit to it? If not, why do so many people think we did? Most Americans who have heard of the POW/MIA problems would be unable to explain in any detail at all what this is all about.
Alan Stang's book, Perestroika Sunset (1999) is the story about a daughter's lifelong search for her Vietnam-MIA father. It not only tells of her frustrating experiences in going through the official U.S. government channels, but delves deeply into the not-so-well-known military, government and political shenanigans surrounding POW/MIA issues.
Stang's book is an in-depth look at the problematic subject of our POWs/MIA s. He skillfully blends fact with fiction, resulting in a fast page-turner for the reader. The book shows clearly the real heart and details of this all-but-forgotten problem and of crass American politics in "dealing with" family members who want answers. This historically accurate book provides an excellent starting point for anyone desiring to delve into this important topic and is equally useful for those who are already well versed on this subject.
Stang is extraordinarily well credentialed: He is a prolific writer with many writings to his credit at the national level. In addition, he has worked with Mike Wallace of CBS, he has lectured and interviewed extensively, and has hosted a radio talk show.
For years I have read everything I could find on this issue, including books, magazine articles, white papers, and more recently the many websites that have sprung up on the POW/MIA issue. There is an abundance of information out there; and a lot of misinformation (some think disinformation as well). So much so, that, in some ways, the issue has been said to border on the fringes and has been referred to as "conspiracy theory" -- the handy catch phrase the government is so fond of using. The whole issue has roots and implications reaching back far into the foundations of American government and policies. And it is not limited to Vietnam, but also Korea and WWII as well.
A few years ago, as a matter of fact, after reading one of these online websites by a retired Army colonel that openly attacked those who suggested in any way that anyone had been abandoned. I was then in contact with a former Marine lieutenant colonel who was known to have had extensive experience with the Phoenix program, POWs, etc. I asked him about the Army colonel's website and the response came back loud and clear … "He's nothing but a government hack!" That was enough for me.
I spent 20 years in the U.S. military. Though I was never a combat Marine (Hell, I was never even a field Marine…but rather a "pogue" – in Marine parlance), though I did serve in Vietnam.
As an aside, back in the 60s in housing near Camp Lejeune, I had a next-door neighbor by the name of Jack House who was well-liked by everyone, including my kids. I had thought he was a young private or lance corporal when I first met him. Turned out he was a young lieutenant, and a chopper pilot. He soon made captain and departed for Nam. It was only a couple of months later that his wife received word that he was MIA. His CH-46 had been hit during his rescue and evacuation of other Marines. The chopper went down and burned. Although others aboard had been rescued, he was not. He was initially listed as MIA, but later declared killed.
I have often wondered about that. Did Jack, and others, still lie awake as a prisoner somewhere in a faraway land, listening for the sounds of choppers coming to take them home? Maybe we'll never know. It has been a long time now. But we should hold to our ideals and continue to make every effort to bring all of our people home – no matter what!
NIL ILLEGITIMUS CARBORUNDUM
As I have already stated, I believe Perestroika Sunset is a starting point for those of you who would like to know more of this issue – and a good refresher, plus more, for the rest of us.
Well done, and my thanks to Alan Stang for Perestroika Sunset which fills a much needed void on this most important issue.
See Alan Stang's numerous writings at Ether Zone
http://etherzone.com
and...
http://www.stangbooks.com
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This message has been edited by Dick Gaines from IP address 71.1.245.84 on May 8, 2007 2:31 PM
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