US COMMANDER RELIEVED OF DUTY

sky news ^ | 04/04/2003 | sky news

[MIKEinGA]

A US commander who was leading a push by marines through southern Iraq towards Baghdad has been relieved of his post.

No reason has been given for the decision to relieve Colonel Joe Dowdy, commander of the Marines First Regimental Combat Team, Public Affairs Officer Steven Schweitzer said.

"He was responsible for the regiment until three hours ago," Schweitzer said.

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Last Updated: 15:46 UK, Friday April 04, 2003

[AUsome Joy]

My brother in law was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Have you ever heard of Blue Stars?

[AUsome Joy]

My brother-in-law was a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and was also at Ft. Rucker at one time. Have you heard of Blue Stars?

[Leatherneck_MT]

Yeah, Major HG (Gene) Duncan wrote those books. He commanded my old alm matar, 2nd Tanks at one time.

If you are interested in these books you can find a link to his email and ordering instructions on this website. I've known Gene for a number of years now. Far as I know he's still alive and kickin down in MO. Write him, he loves hearing from Marines.

Semper Fi

http://members.tripod.com/~Gene_Duncan/order.html

[ladtx]

I never heard of the Blue Stars. Closest to it would be Blue Max. They were a Aerial Rocket Artillery outfit that flew Cobras.

[ladtx]

I put three at the bottom of my homepage, resolution isn't too good however. I've had them on there before but for some reason they stopped coming up so I deleted them. As a check, let me know if you can see them, otherwise I may have to put them somewhere else to post them.

[Sam Cree]

There are 3 beautiful pen and ink drawings at the bottom of your homepage. Seems like you are considerably beyond "dabbling."

Some image hosts only keep the images up so long, I believe.

I've got half an idea that FR should have some sort of art gallery for freepers to have their stuff up, and people can go see it, maybe even discuss art, techniques, etc. There's lots of artistic freepers.

BTW, I kind of liked the "Fiddler's Green" poem, took the liberty of emailing it to some friends, including a buddy who flew Hueys in Viet Nam.

[FreedomPoster]

FWIW, the main lounge at the Ft. Knox O-club is (was?) the Fiddler's Green.

[ladtx]

There are several talented Freepers, Billie for one is very good. She has done some drawings of the President and Laura Bush that are particularly good.

A Free Republic art gallery would be a good idea. Are you an artist?

What unit was your buddy with in Vietnam? I posted the names, dates and units of fallen Vietnam helicopter pilots on the FR's Finest thread for several months, until Iraqi Freedom started and thought it better to concentrate on the present for now.

[Sam Cree]

Sounds like it's a well known poem in the right circles. I like the feel and attitude of it. Thanks.

[ladtx]

I think every place there is a Cav unit, the O-club has a Fiddler's Green. We had one in the Club in Fulda, Germany. The 11th ACR had a unit crest in the floor of Fiddler's Green, anyone that stepped on it took a lot of heat and probably had to buy a few rounds of beer.

[Sam Cree]

In my old age, mid 50's, I am doing my best to be an artist. Majored in it in college, back in the late 60's, but then went in the sign business, and just now realized I have to do art if I ever will, so am now spending most of my time n that direction.

I'll ask him what unit he was in. He goes to some sort of meetings for a Viet Nam Helo Pilots assoc.

[ladtx]

I envy you being able to spend most of your time with your art. Wish I could do that but present circumstances won't allow more than just a little time out of a month to devote to artwork. I'm working on a pen and ink of my Huey I flew in Vietnam, been working on it for over 4 or 5 months now probably be 4 or 5 more before I finish.
Do you have your work posted somewhere, where it can be view. I would be interested to see it.

[Sam Cree]

Sounds like a cool drawing.

Don't have my work posted, but mean to soon, I'll give you a ping when I get it up.

[Sam Cree]

Going out for awhile.

[ladtx]

Don't have my work posted, but mean to soon, I'll give you a ping when I get it up.

I would appreciate it.

[AUsome Joy]

I sent you a private reply.