W. David III Eckard

Henry:   You need to write a book about that experience, or, if not, sell the rights to the story to someone who will prepare a blockbuster movie script about the travels.   Romance.   Fear of the looming war ahead.  Great vistas of the countryside as the motorcycle chugs ahead to the next stop.   Ah, yes---there is much in your summer after graduation as you related it that would be worthy of a Oscar winning movie.  No joke!

Gerald F. Jr. Johnson

I think this is Henry's Girl in Helsinki. There may be a lot of little Farynas running around Finland!!! All that on a 250cc Triumph?? Great story line Henry. I agree with Dave - get it published, and then made into a movie. You can title it "Henry does Europe while Henry does Helga" !!

Gerald F. Jr. Johnson

Gerald F. Jr. Johnson

From Our Declaration of Independence:

" That whenever any 
Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the 
People to alter or abolish it, and to institute a new Government, laying 
its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form
as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness"

 " But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government and to provide new Guards for their future security."

Col. Bill Usmc (Ret. ) Symolon

Henry, I am surprised that you ever returned from that European bike ride of yours just to report for duty !  I've heard of guys going AWOL for a lot less.   Old Col Hyatt would be mighty proud.

Henry Faryna

Thanks guys, duty, honor and country are important to a farm boy like me from Western New York, so coming back to report for duty was no problem what so ever.  Plus you can only imagine the good things that happened with my three years in Seoul, South Korea.  It was so good that I extended in the Army for an extra year if they let me keep my assignment.  Ended up being the XO of a transportation Movement Control Bn as a Captain.  The Bn had 125 American soldiers and 125 Korean transportation folks, 400 rail cars,  20 million in gold flow contracts for civilian trucks committed to military shipments daily, a US truck Bn committed daily, a cargo helicopter company committed daily and thruput management of all cargo coming in through the ports (Pusan and Inchon)  Since I was a clean farm boy, Han Jin had me help one of his neices learn the English language before she went to university in the USA.  A LTC picked me up at the Kimpo airport the night I arrived in Korea, bypassing the replacement depot, and after a quick change into a civilian suit - of to dinner with a Han Jin guy the LTC and the girl.  That was only the first day of three years.  Could make several movies.  All because I typed up an optional "resume" and turned it in to the Transportation School when they asked if anyone would like to provide one.  "Farm boy goes to PMC, graduates with a degree in Economics and International Accounting and likes to ski and camp in his spare time"     

Gerald F. Jr. Johnson

Henry;

You have certainly led a charmed life, but I bet you miss the farm. I know that I do. We had 52 head of Milk Cattle (Hunterdon County, N.J.), 10 Steers (Hereford), one Bull (Senator), 4 horses, one nasty Shetland Pony, chickens,pigs for a while, and about 100 dogs!! Pretty much totally self sufficient with the crops that we planted and harvested. Many acres to hunt and fish on. Those were the days!!! Love the smell of manure in the morning!!

Col. Bill Usmc (Ret. ) Symolon

Henry, You sure have some tales to tell about your life experiences.  Should be a great reunion next year !  And Jerry, my wife was a Virginia farm girl who introduced City-boy me to the smell of manure in the morning.  Can't say I prefer it over that smell of napalm...

Henry Faryna

Jerry,  your photo of the girl is close, she was a wonderful person.  Also, I'm really suprised and glad to know abour our similar farm upbringing - there were not many at PMC.  I went to PMC to imerse myself in a world and culture that was totally different from anything I had ever known- and it was a culture shock.  Also went because I knew Vietnam was starting and figured it would best prepare me for whatever cards I was delt.  After three years in the Army I got a MBA at Syracuse University and then spent 7 years in Washington, DC with the Federal Government.  Bought a house in Fairfax County, VA, but found that I could not stand that form of life.  Gave up the GS 15 and returned to the rolling hills of western NY.  Got a job at a VA Medical Center as a food service supervisor, joined the Army National Guard (after a 14 year break in service) and retired from all in 2004 when I turned 60.  I live in an old Victorian farm house on 4 acres - with the neighbor's beef cattle about 100 feet from my kitchen window.  Can't stand the idea of living totally dependent on city power, water, heat, food and security - better to live in a neighborhood where we are able to provide for each other, have a few back-up solar panels and 5 tons of coal on hand to get thru the winter with.

Gerald F. Jr. Johnson

Bill: The smell of Napalm in the morning is good (if you're not on the receiving end) but manure is the best. Opens the sinuses!! When I was home, my Father always used to refer to my Spit Shines as "shit kickers".

Henry: Totally off the Grid is the best way to go today considering the feckless Washington junkies "running the Country". - the "Never Sweats". I think I may need an anger management class!! This ain't the same great Country that we put our lives on the line for.

D. Clark Wonderland

With the hand I was delt, I never got to smell napalm in the morning, but I did love the smell of manuer.  Never lived on a farm but all the areas around us were loaded with cows and bulls.  Loved riding thru the Amish country.  I called it the smell of money.  Pigs/hogs however... and chickens...

Henry Faryna

You guys are too deep in memory lane ... or you never had a good sense of smell.  The county is better known for the great smell of freshly mowed hay, flowering trees and plants, the smell of a rain storm coming past with that rush of wind - and the sound and energized feeling that comes as lightning breaks across the sky.  However, if insist on a bag of cow crap, I will send it post paid for $20 a quart freezer bag  (will hire some kid from town to scoop, bag and mail for $8 ).  Half of the profits will go to any worthy cause our BAS (Brigade Alumni Staff) selects.  Gerry, sounds like you are getting worked up over the sorry state of affairs of Governments.  I'm certain that every one of us sees it and feels just as you do.  I attend our town board of supervisors meetings a few times a year (there is seating for 20 and it is always full), and I pay attention to government for the school and county levels because I personally can stand up and support a point of view when necessary.  The most important thing for all of us is to build preparadness into our lives whether it be a vacation cabin, a generator and a few 100 watt solar panels laying in the garage, a food pantry with some beans and rice (dry canned) to hold you over a few weeks  ... whatever seems reasonable. Doing so takes away a lot of the frustration.  Remember that the whole western world is wrapped up in an entitlement culture and government debt will continue to grow till the balloon bursts.   Egypt, Rome, Sweden, France, Spain, England ... it seems that the rise and fall of empires is part of the march of time.  And to top it off, we have kookaloos in the Arab Countries, North Korea, Pakistan and elsewhere working day and night to shut down westeren civilization.  Sad but true. Luckily we have all been through PMC ROOK training, there is nobody out there who is mean enough to make us bat an eye.   

Gerald F. Jr. Johnson

Clark: Pig farming is good (if you can stand THAT smell) because it keeps the muslims away.

Henry: I think you are right on target with the necessity to always be preparred. Unfortunately, with the World the way it is today, we may need an underground bunker that will repel radiation and have supplies that will sustain us for about a year until things "cool down". That thought kinda's sucks. Maybe it might be better to just be in the impact zone, but that equates to giving up which none of us would ever do. Or, we could figure out a way to fire the Washington establishment immediately, and then staff it up with some people with balls.

Col. Bill Usmc (Ret. ) Symolon

Henry, Clark, & Jerry,  Your descriptions of farm life are pure.  I can feel lots of it from my limited exposure marrying into a farm family that raised Angus beef cattle.  Sure was good eatin'...also learned how to walk through the pasture (and back yard) avoiding those cow patties !   Great lessons for a city slicker.  Still, will never forget that napalm smell, particularly when I called it upon the bad guys.  Could be a talent that might come in handy again someday, but lets hope not.

Edward F. Jr. Farrell

Gentelmen,

Just heard that Jeff Travis was promotede to Lt. Col.  If you have the opportunity, please send Jeff a note of

"CONGRAT'S" !

A group of men pulled a sneak attack on the "CHAIRMAN OF CHATHAM"  Around Noon on Tuesday 9/15/15, several men pounded on the front door of Andy Patten's home in Chatham and surprized him with a visit and forced him to show us to a GOOD PLACE  to eat.  We had a fine Lunch and visit with Andy, if you're not careful it may be your door that these men might be knocking on!!!!!!!!! 

Last, Bill Symolon is traveling to the Homecoming on 10/16 & 10/17 2015.  If you are in the area that evening and would like to have a bit to eat and maybe a drink or two with us please call John Lynch or Ed Carpenter.  Thanks!

George W. Graner

Lt Col of what Ed.  He's 70 something.  That's really being a lifer!  

Congrats Jeff

.George

Jeffrey Travers

U. S Airforce Auxiliary - Stll fly missions.

Col. Bill Usmc (Ret. ) Symolon

Congratulations to Jeff !  Still flying missions at our age....Holy Cow...that is clearly the definition of "Lifer.."

Jeffrey Travers

Thanks Bill.  Cannot stop flying.  See you at the reuinion.

Gerald F. Jr. Johnson

I still remember the Hammerhead Stall over the hoagie shop!!

Way to go Jeff. Keep on truckin' Bro.

Theodore R. Zak

Jeff,Congrats on your promotion!  I feel safer knowing you are patroling the skys!

Edward F. Jr. Farrell

Please spend some time contacting our Classmates, you will find it to fun and very worthwhile.  The experiences we have all had are funny , interesting, sad, heartwarming, and a great way to relate to one another.  Try to get together with Classmates in your area if for nothing else but to complain about the Government.  We all have a bitch with those people!  Take a few pictures as we would all like to see how everyone has faired over the years.  Jus call one and talk for a few minutes and get out your calandar and set a time and place to meet, bet you come home laughing and thinking how close you live and when you can get together again, life is short and we are not getting any younger or setting any records, just do it and be glad you did!

All be well and I'm looking to see all of you at the BAR for a drink at our REUNION.

George W. Graner

Gerry.  Speaking of manure and the "benefits" of the odor, I was treated yesterday to the odor from the  asnnual pumping of my septic at my home in Maine.  

Kind of brought back memories of Nam and the latrines at Tay Ningh with the 55 gal drums.  The whole base smelled of burning S... daily as the gooks sanatized the latrines.  Then at night the same gooks would attack us and we would police up the bodies in the AM.

Upon returning stateside, we moved to Lancaster county, had amish neighbors and smelled the manure in the spring strong enough to make your eyes water.  Can't say I miss either of these. 

Gerald F. Jr. Johnson

If your job is mixing 55 gallon drums of fecal matter with JP4 and burning it, that could very possibly give you at least a bad attitude. Then you go home at night, and your wife is warming your dinner over a blazing water buffalo turd..........That's enough to make virtually anybody want to throw on a pair of black pajamas and get out of the hut !!

Sorry I started the manure thing. It's created a Shit Storm!!

Shelley (65) Horwitz (65)

I still remember Jeff buzzing Old Main on the day he got his license!!! Nice going Jeff.... never thought you'd get into the Army Air Corp, let alone the Air Force!!!