Jimmy's Web Page

This is my Brother and Friend, Gerald Roberson, a former Marine who was in Vietnam in 1967-1968.  I met Gerald on an internet group called BOTN (Brothers of the Nam), where we were both members.  After getting to know each other, we began to establish a friendship that has grown over the years.  I was fortunate enough to meet him in person, for the first time,  a few years back.  I was returning from Tucson, AZ, where I had attended a Leadership Conference, sponsored by The Vietnam Veterans of America, and I took a layover in Dallas, TX.  Gerald lives in Arlington, TX, and he picked me up at the airport and I spent a week with him and his lovely wife Linda.  I have been back out to TX and spent more time with Gerald, since then.

Gerald has three sons, one who is currently an officer in the US Army.  Cody did two tours in Iraq, one attached to the 3d Infantry Division.  He once again deployed with the 10th Mountain Division, and now back home with his family.  Gerald's next son, Kyle lives in South Dakota with his family.  He is a member of the Army Reserves, and will retire later this year.Gerald's youngest son, Kevin, is in business there in TX. 

Gerald found a very special woman when he found Linda, and she has been by his side for many years.  It is because of her that my friend is with us today.  Him being the hard headed Marine that he is, like so many of us these days, is always right.  We depend on strong women to keep us honest.  Linda has had to call in reinforcements a time or too just to get Gerald to the doctor.

Gerald is a fine Christian man, always asking our Lord to watch over and protect his family and his friends.  He is a fine family man, and I am so very proud to call him my Brother and my Friend.

Tom Snyder (warzone)

This is my Brother and Friend Tom Snyder.  I also met Tom on BOTN.  He was an infantryman in Vietnam, in 1970-1971, and now lives in Chillicothe IL, with his wife Linda and their daughter Sarah.  As you can see from his picture, he loves the outdoors.  Tom is a fine man, a loving father, and a man who genuinely cares for other people. 

 

I have had the honor of visiting with Tom and his family twice, and what a wonderful experience it was, and I really am looking foward to getting back up that way to spend more time with him.  From the moment I got into their house, I became part of the family.  His wife Linda and daughter Sarah welcomed me with open arms.

Tom is the kind of man that always thinks of others before he thinks of himself, belives in our Lord, and prays regularly for the well being of his family and his fiends.    My memories of the good times we have had together will remain with me for the rest of my life.

It is certainly a joy to call Tom, My Brother and My Friend, and I am so very proud to know him.

John Holden (gopher)

This is my Brother John, commonly referred to as Gopher, Rodent, that friggin Rat and a couple more that I can't think of right off hand  LOL. 

John was in the Navy and lives in Joplin, MO, and I have had the pleasure of meeting him several times.  I've knows John for many years, and he is one of the finest men I've had the pleasure of knowing. 

John recently went thru a rough time.  A year or so ago, he was diagnosed with cancer.  After a period of time, going thru chemo and radiation therapy, John is now cancer free.  Praise the Lord.  

We were together at the Welcome Celebration in Branson, at Niner's reunion in Forsyth MO, and John has been here for St Patrick's Day Parade, as well as attending one of the Welcome Home Ceremonies for troops returning from Iraq, and the Memorial Dedication for some of the troops that lost their lives in Iraq.  John was also at the reunion in DC at The Wall.  It's always a pleasure to be around a brother like John.

Ralph Douvillier (olehippie101)

This my Brother Ralph.  He claims to be from OK, but since I've known him, he hasn't spent much time in one place  LOL.  I have been honored by Ralph visiting with me and the family for two years in a row.  While he was here, we participated in the St Patrick's Day parade, and he had to opportunity to attend a Candlelight Service for the Troops while they were deployed to Iraq, and also he attended several of the Welcome Home ceremonies, for the retuning troops.  Ralph and I went down to visit with AFDave during one of his trips here.  I'm really looking foward to Ralph returning this year for another visit.  Last year his son, RJ flew out and marched in the St Patrick's Day parade with us, and he recently completed his basic training and Infantry AIT at Ft Bening, GA.  He is one heck of a young man, and will make a fine soldier, following in his father's footsteps.

 

Jimmy Fox (hellhole)

This is Jimmy Fox and he comes from, the yankee, but great state of Wisconsin.  Jimmy is a fine Brother and I am proud to say that I have had the wonderful opportunity to meet him on a couple of occassions.

Jimmy is a quiet man, one who is considerate of his fellow Vietnam Veterans, and will always be there to talk and listen when someone needs to.

Can't help but like Jimmy, after all, he is not just a Brother, but a CAV Brother as well.                           

Jimmy does alot of volunter work at "The High Ground", a veterans memorial up there in Wisconsin.  He sent me a story from the High Ground (I Was There Last Night" and I have it displayed on my Poems, Stories, etc page.  If you haven't read it, you need too. 

Jimmy has sent me some of the fine cheese that is made there in Wisconsin because he knows how much I like it.  He has also brought some to the NetVets Reunions he has attended.  Even the cheese curds were good, cept I'm not very fond of eating something that squeeks when I eat it   LOL.

David Wingfield (papaws)

Say hello to another of my Brothers.  This is Dave, who hails from Oregon.  I've had the honor and pleasure of meeting Dave in person several times.  He and I have become sorta "connected" you might say.  We always seem to know when the other one is down or having a rough time of it, and find a way to contact each other.  We have spent a good bit of time on the phone, just "being there" for each other.

It's kinda hard keeping track of him, for he is forever running off on a hunting or fishing expedition and you might not see him for a couple of weeks.  All of us need "our time", a time to spend some quality time with ourselves.  A time to try and clear some of the cobwebs out of the head, just so we can cope with tomorrow.  It's an honor and a pleasure to have Dave as a part of my life.

 

Phil Williams (tailandphil)

This is the famous Phil.  He has been assigned the duty to protect Thailand from the likes of us.  LOL

Phil is a regular on MSN Live Messenger, and we usually chat everyday.  It is a pleasure to talk to him on a regular basis.  We have known each other for several years, just never got around to carrying on any lengthy conversations.

 Phil definitely keeps messenger humming, but he does have serious side that surfaces once in a while.  Phil has a lovely wife and from the looks of some of the pictures on his website, he does "enjoy" himself.

Jim Kalb (flametamerjim)

Jim is a good brother despite the fact that he was in the Air Force LOL  Jim and his wife live in Pennsylvania (yankee country).  Jim has the welfare of his Brothers and friends at heart.  One of our Brothers, Ron, who lived nearby, was in a wheelchair, and had breathing problems, and Jim was always around if he needed anything.  Sadly our Ron lost his life several months ago, and Jim was right there with him when he crossed over to the otherside.  Jim was a big comfort Ron's wife Mel, and to the rest of the family in their time of grief.

I've had the pleasure of meeting Jim a couple of times in DC.  Last year his lovely wife accompanied him.  It's always a pleasure to meet any Brother, but indeed a great pleasure to meet someone like Jim.

Jim and his wife went to Florida recently to attend a wedding, and he and his wife stopped by on their way home.  They were able to spend a few hours with Judy and I, and we took them to Ft Stewart to see our Vietnam Veterans Memorial and Warriors Walk.  Jim went with me the next morning to MickyD's, to have coffee with the group of Veterans I have coffee with most every morning.  It was a good visit and I'm looking foward to seeing Jim and Bea in DC this coming September.

Roger Hamann

This is Roger, another good brother, despite him being in the Air Force like Jim above  LOL.  Roger was the back-seater as a FAC.  Spent many hours in areas where "we" didn't think any of US were. 

I had the honor and pleasure of meeting Roger face to face.  Although it was only briefly, it was a special time for me.  Roger and his wife and Joe, a friend, were on their way to his Unit reunion, and I was on my way back from visiting another of our Brothers, and we linked up in the Atlanta Airport. 

Roger and I have had many long talks on MSN Messenger, and on the phone as well.  Roger's brother Dan has really been going thru a hard time, physically, and Roger has kept us up to date on his and his wife's condition.  We have banded together to put together a special prayer list for the Hamann family.

 

Lee Simmons (Junior, Bubba or Lee)

This is Lee, or is it Bubba?, or maybe Junior?  Who knows, depends on when and where you are talking to him as to who is that is answering you  LOL.  Lee is one of the finest men I have ever met.  He is not only a good Brother, but he is a good friend as well.  Lee is a fine Christian man, and loves the Lord with all his heart.  He is always thinking about others, being it his darling wife Darla or his friends, and always puts them ahead of himself.

Lee lives in California, one of the reasons I hope "the big one" doesn't hit out there anytime soon.

 

Lee, or is it Junior that works for the VA Hospital out there?  I'm not sure, but I'm pretty sure it isn't Bubba LOL.  My hat is off to him, for I can't think of a job that would have such an impact on our lives, as being around other Veterans that are injured or ill all the time.  I don't know if I would be strong enough to work there day in and day out.

 

Like so may of us, Lee is going through a rough time right now, but he is keeping a positive attitude and is willing to just "let what will be, be."  He is not letting his problems interfere with his relationship with the Lord, Darla or that of his friends.  Lee is a strong man, and I am so very pleased that I am able to call him Brother and Friend.