MAIL CALL
from Cynthia Marshall Devlin in Zavalla, TX Dec. 2021 All is well with us in the country. We know life for many has been tedious for some time. We have been blessed to have good health. We both are retired and enjoy having our young family members coming to visit. I continue to write for the Texas Historical Commission. It keeps the brain going! I enjoy the website and the newsletters. Thanks to you and Mike.
cynjad@msn.com

from Billy Jordan from Decatur, AL
(taken off of FB)
Dec.31
My “Blue Norther” experience. I was deer hunting in the Hill Country with about 6 other guys. We were hunting on a 5,000-acre ranch. The ranch had a mesa about 200 feet high. I was dropped off at a ground stand on the mesa. I was the only one of the group up there as all others hunted down on the lower level. None of us had checked the weather before we went out. Temp was about 65 that morning. It was cloudy but no rain or wind. I wore my hunting pants but had on a light hunting shirt. This was in the 1980’s, so no cell phones. I was in the stand for a couple of hours looking north when out on the horizon I saw a dark blue line. Being on the mesa I could see really far. As the line got closer, I began to get worried. I figure the pick-up guy would see it and come get me. The blue line got there first. I could see the wind coming at me. When it hit the stand, it was blown over with me in it. I was not hurt so I crawled out and immediately and began to shiver. I saw an out-cropping about 15 yards away. I had to crawl to it as the wind blew me down when I tried to stand up. Once I got to the wind break, I was exhausted and really worried as I couldn’t stop shaking. Once the front blew by the pickup guy showed up. He had brought a quilt and hot chocolate. Not sure how much longer I could have made it.
Jwj6872@ao.com

from David Lapham in Sunset Valley, TX
My thanks to you and Mike for producing the newsletter and website updates. I know it's a difficult task, particularly obtaining material to include. Most of us are busy dealing with life, and while we all enjoy reading about what's going on it's tough sometimes to find the time to offer something back. I'm sorry I don't really have anything current to talk about but with COVID I'm basically not doing anything. I mean, I am doing absolutely nothing worthy of note. Nada, zip, zero.
I've written up a few tales from my times in the Army and figured I'd throw one your way as a newsletter offering.
It was spring in Viet Nam, 1972. I was assigned guard duty in bunker 13, along the perimeter of our base at Bien Hoa. With two other guys I would spend the night, staying awake in turns, quietly listening and watching out for any unwelcome, late-night visitors who might have evil intent. We could usually recognize them right away because they generally approached from outside our perimeter area carrying weapons at the ready.
The usual drill was that one man would stay awake and the other two could sleep if they wanted too. The shifts were broken up as sunset to midnight, midnight to three in the morning, and the last shift was from three until dawn. The middle shift was considered the least desirable because typically everyone stayed awake until around midnight anyway, and then the second shift guy had to stay up three more hours while the others crashed. I was with a couple of guys I didn’t know, so I told them I’d take the second shift. However, I decided I shouldn’t try to stay up all night, so I ate some C-Rations (canned meat, peanut butter – that sort of thing) and prepared to get some sleep.
The bunker was in two sections. It had an upper section at ground level, and a smaller, lower section dug into the ground so that a machine gun could be placed right at ground level.
I went down to the lower level, set up the machine gun, and went to sleep.
Sometime later, probably around 2300 hours (11:00PM) I awoke to the sound of a lot of banging going on in the upper part of the bunker. I listened for a moment, and then realized that my two bunker companions were taking apart our flares! It seems they wanted the little silk parachute to play with. From the tone of their voices, they were rather disappointed to discover that our flares had no parachutes. They were “star clusters”, which rather than use a parachute to provide 30 seconds or so of illumination, had several discs of white phosphorous that gave a short, but very bright, light. We had begun the night with five illumination flares among our ammo supply. Now, it seemed, we had four.
“Oh wow, man, there’s no parachute!” I heard one of them exclaim. I also concluded from their manner of speech that they had indulged in not a small amount of recreational drugs. “Let’s open another one”, said the other soldier. I started to get up and point out that each flare has its’ type clearly printed on the outside, but before I could get up the ladder, they noticed that fact and, now aware that we had no parachute flares, gave up on acquiring a parachute souvenir. I went back to sleep.
Later, but still before midnight, I awoke again to the sound that reminded me of Granite Rapids in the Grand Canyon. It was a roaring, hissing sound that was amazingly loud. When I looked through the opening into the upper bunker, it seemed that the sun had come up directly through the floor! I quickly realized that they had lit off a white phosphorous disc, and immediately concluded that I was better off staying where I was. After several seconds the roaring noise ceased, the bright light ended, and I sat below wondering what else could possibly happen. You know that feeling, right? The feeling you get that nothing more could go wrong, just before everything goes wrong? I heard our field phone ringing. Now, it wasn’t necessarily for us. Our whole sector of about a dozen bunkers was all on one party line back to the Sector Operations Center. However, given what had just happened, I figured it would be a “good thing” if someone in our bunker got on the phone. The problem was that the two guys up top were so stoned that they couldn’t find the phone, and I am talking about two guys with a ringing phone in a room about eight feet square. I had started up the ladder when one of them finally managed to find the phone and answer it. you don’t need to come out here, we’re fine! No, really! Yes! Fine! Yes! Uh-huh, fine. No, nothing happened. Okay, yep, sure. Okay, bye.” I could only imagine what the other end of the conversation sounded like. I would later learn how it went. The guy upstairs put the phone down and told his buddy, “That was B-SOC (Sector B Operations Center), we’re okay.
They’re not coming out.”
Then the other of them said “Let’s light another one!”
At this point I went up the ladder and suggested that perhaps they might want to wait until morning to do that. I also suggested that it was close enough to midnight that I should take over and they could go to sleep. They agreed, and the remaining night passed peacefully. In the morning, after the sun came up, they lit some more WP discs outside the bunker, and then we awaited pickup and return to our company area.
Thus ended a rather unusual night on guard duty.
Back in the company area, a friend of mine came looking for me. “You were in bunker 13 last night, weren’t you?” He asked. “Yes” I rather reluctantly admitted, “What a night!” “Well, tell me what the heck happened?” I described the events in the bunker, and he filled in a few extra details from another viewpoint. He had been in a tower overlooking the perimeter, and upon seeing the flare go off in our bunker he had quickly gotten on the phone to B-SOC. From him I heard more detail of the conversations on the field phone.
His conversation had gone like this: “This is tower three. Bunker 13 just took a direct hit from a rocket!” “I didn’t see where it came from, the bunker just suddenly exploded!” “No, no one got out, they’re all dead! The bunker is burning like crazy!”
Apparently, the base was just about to go on full alert when the guy in my bunker found the phone and assured his amazed listeners that all was well. As for me, almost 50 years later I don’t remember who the guys were in the bunker with me, but I made certain to remember long enough to ensure that I never spent another night on guard duty with them.
There was also a time on guard duty when I got a 2 ½ ton truck stuck in the mud on the base perimeter in the middle of the night, but that’s another story.
DAVID, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS TALE. I LOOK FORWARD TO YOU SENDING US MORE TO INCLUDE ON OUR CLASS WEBSITE!

WEBSITE PURCHASES
Mike Lawson had to use money from our website account to make the following purchases:
Go Daddy
$140.80 Renewal for 5 years for the domain tjhs1968 and the privacy mechanism.
$766.88 5-year renewal of the Linux server space with c-panel function

WEBSITE DONATIONS
We are so thankful for the checks received from classmates Cynthia Marshall Devlin and Fred McCarty. We appreciate your support in keeping this website online.
We are now offering TWO ways to donate to the maintenance of the website: VENMO USER: Thomas-Jefferson68 or Check written out to: Linda McFadden Send it to: Linda DeCuir McFadden 7699 Boardwalk Lumberton, TX 77657 (I will deposit it into the 5-Point checking account for the WEBSITE)

NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
It has been since the end of October since we published our last website update. That feels like a lifetime. I knew I would be having a procedure in Houston the first week of December so I had to hurry to put up my traditional Christmas trees. The doctor wanted me off of my arthritis medicine for 8 days prior to the procedure and I can barely walk when I am off of them. So, I hurriedly (took me three days) put up my “traveling” tree (ornaments from many vacations here and abroad), my “girls’ tree (ornaments for the two granddaughters), my “All-Sports” tree (got skateboarding, curling, pool/billiards, and croquet added this year!), “baseball” tree (obvious), and my 7 ½ foot tree that holds all my other fun and memorable ornaments. Well, by the time I got to the big tree, I was all pooped out and the lack of meds said, “nope”! I got poinsettias and beads hung…..thankfully the lights come with the tree. Bending down, getting on a ladder, putting ornaments way inside the tree just wasn’t going to happen. It actually looked fine. (By the way, the procedure was to remove several stomach polyps and thankfully all were benign.)
Since my knee surgery in July, it is very difficult to negotiate how to get in and out of the bathtub. But I love to soak and had been taking showers for the last few months. So, while Murphy was at the beer lease and I knew he wouldn’t know I got in the tub, I thought it all through. (You know this will probably end bad.) I filled up the tub, brought a shower seat next to the tub to put my magazine, book, rosary, towel and phone on just in case I couldn’t get out or I fell. Don’t know who I would have called if that happened, though. Come to think of it, I had the doors locked, also. Well, it was all for naught, anyway. I slowly got into the tub and was thoroughly enjoying the hot water, while reading and patting myself on the back because I had it all thought out, until the phone rang….in the KITCHEN! I THOUGHT MY PHONE WAS UNDER THE TOWEL. Okay, no help in case of emergency! It wasn’t a pretty sight, but I eventually inched, crawled, hugged the toilet, and pulled the shower seat into the tub and got out! SUCCESS. See Murphy. I could do it!!!
TWO MONTHS later, trying to forget what a mess the first time was, I tried again. I needed to shave my legs (looked like a forest) and it is easier in the tub. I went through the whole ordeal again with my phone this time. I managed to get in the tub without twisting the knee and got ready to shave those bad boys. I picked up the razor and my trigger finger shot it out across the floor way out of my reach! Geez. I just love these senior moments. Obviously, those legs didn’t get shaved.
I also faceplanted while coming out of Party City recently~! I had just bought a bouquet of balloons and they went one way, my purse went the other and I felt like I was taking off of a ski lift for the down-hill for the upcoming Olympics! I could have been in the movie UP!
I gave Murphy $$$ for Christmas so he could do a project of taking his 12-foot 2003 utility trailer apart and changing out boards, repainting, etc. He gave me tickets to several live theatre productions at the Beaumont Community Players, tickets to concerts by the Symphony of SE Texas, a Russian Ballet (bucket list), and tickets to go see Fluffy (Gabriel Iglesias) at Ford Park.
The two granddaughters are doing well. The junior at HJHS in Sour Lake is involved in soccer and they are 9-0 with two more games before district starts. Drew is a mid-field defender. Bailey is starting her second semester at Texas A&M this week. We sure have missed her but she is doing really well and is involved in many other activities.

SUPPORT
Kay Campbell Netherland dementia
196 Tall Timbers Burkeville, TX 75932
d.netherland@sbcglobal.net

Charline Valenciano Allen
Nov. 1- Five heart bypasses and valve replacement Also, in a nursing home suffering from early onset dementia 8595
Medical Center Blvd.
Room # 806
Port Arthur, TX 77640
Jhargrave77@yahoo.com

Carla Castro Stewart
Nov. 11-knee surgery
3212 Elgin
Nederland, TX 77627
Cah0722@yahoo.com

Janis Hamilton Lee
Mid November- son, Jeff Lee had his 5th pacemaker implanted
712 Little Jeff
Port Neches, TX 77651
markjlee@yahoo.com

Jonnye Doering & Bobby Williamson Daughter, Christy Nilluka Bryant – chronic Dystonia
4608 Alamosa
Port Arthur, TX 77642
Williamsonjonnye@gmail.com

Betty Bernauer Wademon
Nov. 18 Son – Mark Wademon hospitalized Now recovered
1818 Cheyenne River Circle
Sugar Land, TX 77478
Bbw1m@ao.com

Ricky Bradley
Nov. 16
Update on Lung Issues from Gloria Phillips Bradley
After many hard & Invasive tests for many long days we may have a partial answer to Sugar Baby's Lung problems!
Drs. did CT scans, Scoping & a Thoracentesis to remove some fluid from his lung for testing. Results of fluid showed a Very Bad Bacterial Infection in his Lung & also scoping found a hole at the bottom of his Lung. Keep in mind GOD is Always in CONTROL no matter what we see! The Dr. explained, Rick would have died in a few days if that Hole Had Not been there. The bacteria is a fast killer and they wouldn't have figured it out in time to save him due to his symptoms were different than if the hole wasn't there. The Hole let the bacteria leak out from the inside of the Lung to the bottom between the pleura cavity & wall. Protecting the Lung! Quickly they Started him on a Strong Antibiotics & decided to put a tube in his Lung to drain the fluid that was trapped at the bottom of his Lung under the flap that had never sealed from prior surgeries. His Lung is partly collapsed & only working at 30%. We will have to return to the hospital for removal of tube & possible surgery to repair hole in the near future. But today Sugar Baby & I are dancing before the Lord very slowly *Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my rock, and my redeemer. (Psalms 19:14)
Jan. 17 Update
We went back to Denver early January for 4 days. Very icy. We checked in to St Joseph Hospital. Ricky got another Lung tube & Drain box placed. The Dr said if we can keep infection out of his lungs, maybe it will heal and he won’t have to have surgery. He is at home right now with the flu.
9221 SW 99th St.
Mustang, OK 73064
Rbradley73064@yahoo.com

Donny Moss
Dec. 15
Five heart bypasses Recovering at home now.
13560 Wayside Dr.
Beaumont, TX 77713
Don53moss@yahoo.com

Juanita Perales
Jan. 3
Total knee replacement
5010 Tennyson Dr.
Beaumont, TX 77706
peralesjuanita@yahoo.com

Billy Caldwell
Chemo treatments at MDA and The Woodlands Also recovering from a head-on collision
142 Bloomhill
The Woodlands, TX 77354
bgcaldwell@outlook.com

Dianna Caillier Lewis
Health issues
Husband, Robert Lewis Seizures and dementia
912 E. 6th St.
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Ernie Bullion
Various health issues
6215 Marble Falls
Lumberton, TX 77657
Tbull50@sbcglobal.net

Carole Oubre Reeves
Jan. 17
Update on pancreatic cancer diagnosis Honestly, if I didn’t know I had cancer I wouldn’t think I was sick at all! Praise the Lord for that!! The Oncologist added another chemo drug to my regimen in December. One nurse told me it causes lethargy. I’m still energetic. Another nurse told me she heard this drug causes nausea. I’m not feeling nauseous at all. I almost wish it would because I’ve gained all the weight I lost plus some. I have lost the majority of my hair, which is expected. Because of COVID, I’m careful where I go and do wear a mask. I’m so thankful to God for seeing me through this and to my army of prayer warriors for their constant prayers. I will have another CT-Scan in February to see how much the tumor has shrunk. Last update had the tumor markers at 59. The Dr is looking for 30 so it’s moving in the right direction. She had originally told me I would most likely have surgery to remove the tumor in January or February so it appears I’m on schedule. She’s thinking my entire stomach will need to be removed but at this point has not conferred with the surgeon. The scan in February will give us more answers. I will update once I know more.
6535 Jefferson
Groves, TX 77619
Carole.reeves@att.net

CONDOLENCES
Dennis Schmidt
(death of his brother, Dr. John Schmidt)
Nov. 16, 1952 -Sept. 27, 2021
(death of his sister, Stacie Schmidt Williams)
Dec. 31, 1957 – Oct. 11, 2021
67436 Circle 9
Orange, TX 77632
dwschmid@aol.com

The late Phillip Bodin
(death of his wife, Janet Die Bodin)
July 14, 1952 - Dec. 2, 2021

Darlene Turner Landry
(death of her daughter, Terri Landry Walters)
May 1, 1972 – Oct. 26, 2021
3195 Williamsburg Lane
Port Neches, TX 77651
Gran0901@yahoo.com

Shirley Moreau Betar
(death of her husband, Bruce Betar)
July 17, 1935 – Nov. 3, 2021
107 Jerry
Nederland, TX 77627
Texaskitty107@yahoo.com

Allen Baldridge
(death of his brother, Raymond Baldridge TJ ’70)
Dec. 30, 1951 – Nov. 6, 2021
1618 Pineview Ln.
Hideaway, TX 75771
Allen_baldridge@hotmail.com

Nancy Decker Primeaux
(death of her sister, Pam Decker White TJ ’66)
Nov. 24, 2021
1914 Weston Loop
Kerrville, TX 78028
mprimeaux@stx.rr.com

Norma Gayle Guidry
(death of her daughter, Misti Dawn Cruse)
Mar. 25, 1975 – Jan. 10, 2022
1033 Caliste Olivier Rd.
Baton Rouge, LA 70517
Cajun.qt@hotmail.com

Please contact any classmate mentioned in the newsletter and give them your support.
I know that many classmates and extended family members have been touched by the Covid over the last two years. It has been too many to even mention. Let’s continue to reconnect with our friends.

Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com

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