Larry Hamilton

 I was watching the Ken Burns documentary on Vietnam, when the subject turned to a life magazine article on the 242 Americans killed in one week. And there was a picture of our classmate Pat Francis. I was in band with Pat but did not know him well. He seemed like a very nice guy. Did anyone else know him?

Diane Raymond (Ball)

Larry,  Didn't know Pat, but knew of him.  Was Mike Claussen in that list?  Because, we lost him over in Viet Nam, too.  So sad!

Douglas L Murray (Murray)

Hey Larry

I recognize the photo but did not know Patrick. I watched most of the first part of the series on Vietnam and it was difficult. Brought back a lot. Was not there, but that period back in the states was powerful in its own way.

Doug

Barbara Smith

Larry, Yes, I was fortunate to know Pat from Redwood days and at Napa High. Super nice guy, very smart, good musician too.  I well remember the shock of his death in our community (and Mike Claussen, too, but different week).  

I tried to watch the Ken Burns series and could not stay the course. Thought I was ready, but surprised at the pain and emotions stll triggered. Who would have guessed? Certainly not the first time I've looked at Vietnam over the years, but something about Ken Burns documentaries invite trust and vulnerabilty that go deeper. Whoosh! So many memories and of course I was not even in 'Nam like many of our classmates. I think the difficult & challenging circumstances in America today contibuted to my reaction. Will stay the course on a rerun.

Bruce Erricson

Hi Larry,

Since, like you Larry, I was in the band, I did know Pat a little, and liked him very much.  And like you, Barbara, I haven't been able to sit down & watch what I'm sure is another excellent Ken Burns documentary.  However I will never forget seeing that photo spread from Life magazine.  I was in a doctor's office & spotted the cover.  As I recall, the cover had a shot of every American who died in Viet Nam during the prior week & Pat's photo jumped out at me.  It was a shocker & depressed me for some time.  I guess it still does.  

I've always felt that our class was very fortunate in that we lost very few to the Viet Nam slaughter.  But even the few we lost were too many.

Larry Hamilton

Diane: I didn't notice anything about Mike.  I remember his loss too. So Sad

Doug: It was emotional for me to watch the series, but it is done so well, with every possible issue and point of view covered, that I couldn't turn it off. The first two episodes, and halfway through the third, involve the history of Vietnam prior to U.S. involvement. It detailed Ho Chi Minh's attempts to get the U.S. to support their fight for independence against the french. It also made clear that, by the time of the U.S. escalation, Ho had lost power to the hawks in his cabinet, and that he had actually recommended that they not attack south vietnam because it would draw the U.S. into the war. He recommended that they should try to win hearts and minds and encourage the southerners to support the NLF, but they were not listening to him.  Painfull to see the admiration and hopes the people of vietnam put in america to help free them from the french. When the french withdrew Ho made a speech about independence quoting Thomas Jefferson.  So sad.

Bruce and Barbara: It is tough to watch at times but very well done. As good as anything he has ever done

Mary Pieratt

hi all, I remember Pat Francis really well, we were in Redwood Jr Hi also.    He lived in that big ol house on the turn on Browns Valley Road, I went there for 4H projects when we were younger, too.  He was, I thought, quite smart....really smart.  We had lots of classes together because I had skipped 6th grade they thought I must be smart...haha..that took lots more years, I skipped because I was the only girl in a school of 8 boys.   He helped me a lot--me, of one-room schoolhouse, skipped a grade, fame...I was hardly prepared for big time school!  He was shy, kind, and had a great dry sense of humor.

he was drafted right out of school, we talked about what was going to happen, where his boot camp was, etc.  he was slight of figure...not a macho guy, I was terrified for him and it was my first real experience or connection with all things Vietnam...years later I was devastated by deaths from that war...men I was very close to were killed or trying to find ways out like starving themselves. He was there a very very short time, a grunt, he was shot and killed, I don't think it was a month.  What a waste, I'm crying again now just thinking about all the friends we lost, and kept losing for years to come.

WAR, what has it done for us...absolutely nothing.

Mary Pieratt

Larry, why do you want sense if you have a roadster, my fav?!  I owned a Miata, or 3, BOXSTER, MGA, --last year built.  Have a blast!  Don't look back.  M

Leszek Szmidt

Knew Pat Francis from Redwood and NH days.  Played chess at lunch.  Quite with a great sense of humor.  Mike Claussen was my best friend through Redwood, NH and scouting.  Very sad when I learned he didn't survive the war.  He was never able to read the letter I sent him after he shipped out.  After that I actively protested the war.

Larry Hamilton

Mary and Leszik:  Thank you both for the information about Pat.

Leszik, I count myself lucky that I did not lose a friend over there, let alone two.  That must have been tough.

Mary: I will go for it but I'm thinking of shiping the car out to Omaha, or Indianapolis, then flying to pick it up just so I don't have to drive through the west (it's so ugly and boring). Probably back to see friends in the DC/Virginia area and then up to Vermont to see family. I've been checking the weather and it's nice back there!

Mary Pieratt

Hi Larry, Super idea, that country can drone on and on.  Then you will have your car just where you need it.  The countryside will be beautiful that time of year, or should be.  With foliage all bright yellows, oranges, red...it's quite something.   Have a great, safe trip.  I'm heading back to Istanbul early spring, not driving tho.  M

Vicki Ichtertz (Snyder)

I remember Pat from Redwood and NHS.  I remember him as being very smart, kind, and shy.  I also remember him as always watching out for his sister.  We lost a good one.  Rest in peace.

Larry Hamilton

Nice comments Vicki.  Thanks everbody for your input, you have brought him into focus for me.

Mary, I always cave to peer pressure.  The trip is on.

Thanks!

Bruce Erricson

So Larry, you're tripping again.  Good for you.  I don't mind driving to the midwest, though it may be a bit nicer from SoCal -- or perhaps not.  I always enjoy the drive through Colorado & have come to like parts of Arizona, New Mexico & so much of Utah.  From here at least, you can vary the routes you take each time (& each way) you hit the road.  At this stage of the game, however, your way of doing it does save a lot of wear & tear on the old bones.  Mary's right (as usual).  Have a great trip -- hope the weather holds up.

P.S. - I can loan you a comfy old bathrobe for the jaunt if you need one........

Mary Pieratt

WAIT!    

Mary......is right, as usual?   Wow, don’t hear that much in life, if ever.  Thanks, Bruce.

good on you Larry, driving the wilds, top down, having some fun!  

Douglas L Murray (Murray)

Wow, have not taken the time to read through all the posts for a long time. I am moved to go back and watch the entire series on Vietnam in spite of the emotional toll it will take, after reading all your posts. 

Mary, going to Istanbul, what's that about...

And Ray, Bruce and Larry, a robe!?! I get images of Larry doing a Big Labowski impression...ooph!

I will check in more often. Amazing the things one learns...some probably better left to the unknown, but whatever.

Mary Pieratt

hey Doug!  Haven’t spoken to you in a looong time!  Hope you are fine, living in...?  Colorado?  Anyway I’m probably way behind, but suspect you are out there running wild and living the life!  Stay classy, my friend.....

yes, I’m going BACK to Istanbul, I do love turkey and I’ve been studying Turkish for awhile now, from there to Portugal and return from Morocco.  So many countries, so little time.

✌🏼M

Stephanie Inman (Lamar)

Mary Pierratt - I am so jealous and so happy for you. I have seen much of Europe, but not Turkey or Morocco. Please post a travelogue when you return! - Stevie

Mary Pieratt

Will do Stevie.  Morocco has such vibrant colors, spices in the air, labyrinth markets one never finds the way out, oh...those stinky camels.  Take care my friend, hope everything is great with you!  Mary  

Larry Hamilton

Doug, the one thing that all robe commentators have in common...they've hosted Bruce at one time or another. The robe is kind of an institution; picture Archie Bunker. Hey Bruce, I think they need a photo!

Bruce, you are too kind (big hug), but I just couldn't....no really I just couldn't  : / 

Mary, have a great trip! Sound's amazing. I decided not to ship the car, but drive the whole way.

Stevie, I have a vague memory regarding a connection between you and Switzerland? I can't remember what that was. I may have imagined that.

Stephanie Inman (Lamar)

Larry, I am truly impressed that you can remember my connection to Switzerland! I was very lucky to spend a gap year there, where I fell deeply in love with the French language and with foreign travel in general. That was way back in the fall of 1964 - good recall, Larry! But then it is said that the short term memory is the part that goes, not  the long term, as we age.  Still - I am impressed. --- Glad to hear you are still loving the roads in your cool car.  Looking forward to details of your trip! - Stevie    

Dennis Patrick (O'Shea)

Just seeing all the information about the fires in Napa, Calistoga, Santa Rosa, and around, and the tremendous loss of properties, and most saddening the loss of lives. I remember well, the little communities that existed when I first was in Napa, and how connected so many were. Trust not too many present day survivors have been badly affected by the events of the past few days, and hope that all will work together to help those with the fire created problems to not only survive, but to grow and prosper again in their chosen place in the world.

Best Regards,

Patrick

Stephanie Inman (Lamar)

 Does anyone have information about my good friend Annie Potgeter (Yates)? She and husband Steve resided on Westgate Dr. at Silverado CC. I can't reach her and am very worried -  hoping that they are safe. I am seeing so much devastating news about Napa and Santa Rosa - what a horrible nightmare. Prayers are offered for all of the valley residents.    

Larry Adams

Stevie,

I can't give a definite answer, but most of Westgate Drive was burned Sunday night-Monday morning, almost all houses destroyed.  But Cal-Fire and the county had a mandatory evacution in place before then, so they're probably okay.  Jawana Hummingbird-Kitchens had a link to a video of someone driving through the area showing most of the houses gone.  Only two people, in their 90's, are known to have died in Napa County.

Suggestion - check the Red Cross "Safe and Well" website to see if they're listed there.  

https://safeandwell.communityos.org/zf/safesearch/search/

Diane Raymond (Ball)

Sorry, Stevie, haven't heard anything about Ann and I've been monitor the information frequently.  Like Larry Adams said I think that the Watergate area had a Mandatory Evacuation.  Hope she and her husband are safe.