Aloha All.....was honored to accompany LtCol. Craig Mandeville
last evening, to the Anniversary Reunion for those that served and
survived, the "Seige of An Loc." This battle was the largest of the
Vietnam War, lasting 66 days, during the Easter Offensive in '72, where
thousands died and thousands more were wounded on both sides. The story
is incredible and my brother, LtCol Mandeville was a hero of that
battle. He was an advisor to the 9th ARVN Division that relieved the seige,
earning him a second Silver Star to accompany his Legion of Merit,
Bronze Star and five Purple Hearts. We were honored to sit at the VIP
table with the son of another hero of that battle, General Tran Van
Nhut, where both of us spoke at his Memorial Service, last January 2015
at his passing. Craig served with General Nhut during this battle,
destroying numerous NVA tanks. Chris and his beautiful family, wife
Catherine, who speaks with an Australian accent, as she was raised in
"down under", after the Fall of Saigon, and his two beautiful daughters,
Jackie and Patty. The last three pictures are of General Nhut, Chris
and his family. A wonderful reunion of true warfighters gathered
together for camaraderie and a remembrance for those fellow soldiers
lost in this famous battle. Outstanding Vietnamese dishes as always and
the entertainment was flawless, emotionally moving at times and just
beautiful. Another awesome event with my Vietnamese, "Band of Brothers
and Sisters," and where like my Marines, I was volunteered to serve on
the committee for next years Tet Parade, with the Chair of that
Committee and my personal friend, City Councilman, Phat Bui. I missed you my brother Hoa Pham, but we will get together soon. Ooooooorah and Semper Fi. Monsoon
