First Quarterly 2013
Longtrip E-Newsletter
Updated: March 20, 2013
THE SWIMMING POOL AT LONG THANH NORTH (LTN): (February 2)
Have you ever wondered who built the swimming pool everyone enjoyed so much? Read on, and you will discover the rest of the story, and that our own Jerry Robelen was the brains and supervisor behind the project (chief engineer). Here is what Jerry had to say about this welcomed facility addition:
The swimming pool at LTN: I believe construction took place during September and October 1968. One of the reasons for building it was to accommodate the party that would follow the entertainment soon to come to LTN. As I recall there was no cash involved. We had to scrounge all of the materials, which we did mostly from an engineer battalion located about 100 miles away. We stuffed a U–21 full with rubberized runway material that we used for the pool liner. We had no filter and had to rely on water trucks to refill the pool every 10 days or so, because of the large bugs that would grow it in the meantime. Lieutenant Tom Pickle was a major labor contributor, as were several of the enlisted men and officers of LTN. It certainly did add a level of enjoyment to my tour. Thanks very much for the photo and the opportunity to recall.
Cpt. Jerry Robelen (Robe)
In early 1970, there was a concerted effort to obtain and install a filter system. This was accomplished by a steady stream of volunteers, before and after flights, and on their days off. Some of the participants are shown in these two photographs (second one courtesy of George Simpson):
THE BROTHEL: (February 2)
Yes, this is going somewhere; I just want your attention:
The madam opened the brothel door in Elko County , Nevada , and saw a rather dignified, well–dressed, good–looking man in his late forties or early fifties.
'May I help you, sir?' she asked.
'I want to see Valerie,' the man replied.
'Sir, Valerie is one of our most expensive ladies. Perhaps you would prefer someone else', said the madam.
'No, I must see Valerie,' he replied.
Just then, Valerie appeared and announced to the man she charged $10,000 a visit.
Without hesitation, the man pulled out ten thousand dollars and gave it to Valerie, and they went upstairs. After an hour, the man calmly left.
The next night, the man appeared again, once more demanding to see Valerie.
Valerie explained that no one had ever come back two nights in a row as she was so very expensive. There were no discounts and the price was still $10,000. The gentleman did not blink an eye. Again, he pulled out a wad of cash, gave it to Valerie, and they went upstairs. After an hour, he left.
The following night the man was there yet again. Everyone was astounded that he had come for a third consecutive night, maybe a record in the history of brothels in Nevada , which date back into the early 1800's. But without hesitation he paid Valerie the ten grand and off they went upstairs.
After their session, Valerie said to the man, 'No one has ever been with me three nights in a row. Where are you from?'
The man replied, ' Billings , Montana .'
'Really', she said. 'I have family in Billings .'
'I know.' the man said. 'I regret to tell you, but your sister died, and I am her attorney. She asked me to give you your $30,000 inheritance.'
The moral of the story is that three things in life are certain:
- Death
- Taxes
- Being screwed by a lawyer
- Being screwed by the United States Government when you wish they would just leave you alone in your old age.
Now, consider how old you are, and if you are a retirements plan owner you must know that you are required to take a Required Minimum Distribution on the year you turn 70 ½. There are very few, if any, ways to avoid this threshold of taxation–coming. Even if you don't need the money and plan to pass it on to your loved ones (who will, generally, pay taxes on it, too), you gotta take the money (or plan very, very well). So, I added one more to the above list. Oh, and to those who say, “Don’t be so harsh!, if you don’t take it, want it or not, you will pay a 50 percent tax penalty:
back to topMAXINE HOLT, WOMAN OF THE YEAR? (February 21):
Humor in Uniform is was an interesting section of Reader's Digest, and here is a story that really should appear there first. However, having a friendly and open soldier among us who is NOT afraid of sharing, plus a newsletter of our own, I offer the breavest man I have encountered today, Max Holt:
From April 1968—April 1969, I was stationed with the Command Aircraft Company, based out of Long Thanh North Airfield. One day, as usual, after returning from a mission I went to Mail Call. I noticed that I had received a letter from the NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF WOMEN. My formal name is Maxie G. Holt. Maxie is a German name, given to this southern farm boy due to the pressure by my oldest sister, who was dating a German boy named Maxie at the time I was born. So my first name is often mistaken for a female name, some misreading the name to be MAXINE. The N.O.W. letter was addressed to MS. MAXIE G. HOLT.back to top
The envelope contained a letter congratulating me for being a military woman assigned as a combat pilot in Vietnam. It stated that all women would be proud of me and that the staff of N.O.W. was delighted to nominate me as a candidate for the distinction of 1969 Woman of the Year. It directed me to fill out the Application Form enclosed and return it to N.O.W. Headquarters as soon as possible so they could schedule me for the interview competition later in 1969.
We all had a good laugh about it, and I threw it in the trash. But my hooch-mate, Johnny Stewart, and several others tried to convince me to enter the competition. We brainstormed what the reaction of the N.O.W. Staff would be when I walked in the door for the interview. I came close to sending it in, but I decided to avoid the hassle it would cause. So*mdash;who knows—I may have missed the opportunity to be the most notable WOMAN OF THE YEAR! Oh, well—maybe next time.
Max Holt
LARRY D. OLTJENBRUNS, CAC 1969–70, DECEASED, FEBRUARY 16, 2013:
It is indeed a sad task but an honor to post this obituary for a friend, fellow flight school classmate, fellow Catkiller at the 220th Aviation Company, and a Longtrip pilot at the Command Aircraft Company in Vietnam. Larry also flew OV–1 aircraft for the Georgia National Guard:
Donald M. Ricks
Catkiller 49
Mr. Larry D. Oltjenbruns
8/19/1939 - 2/16/2013
Mr. Larry D. Oltjenbruns age 73 of Smyrna, passed away Saturday, February 16th. Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, February 21st at Carmichael Funeral Home Chapel in Smyrna with Rev. Tom Grady officiating. Interment will be in Georgia National Cemetery in Canton. Mr. Oltjenbruns was a retired Major in the U.S. Army and served as a veteran aviator during the Vietnam Conflict. He was a member of Mt. Paran Church of God Central. Surviving are: Wife of 35 years Gay Oltjenbruns of Smyrna, Son – Mark Oltjenbruns of Woodstock, 3 Daughters – Stacey Jochum of Woodstock, Terri O’Neil of Savannah, Tammy Bourek of Pender, NE, Mother – Edythe White of St. Louis, MO, Brother – Darold Oltjenbruns of St. Louis, MO, 7 Grandchildren, 1 Great Grandchild. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, 3343 Peachtree Rd., #M20, Atlanta, Georgia 30326. The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 PM Wednesday, February 20th at Carmichael Funeral Home in Smyrna (770) 435-4467.
Medals received while serving in the U.S. Army:
- National Defense Service Medal
- Army Aviation Badge
- Vietnam Service Medal
- Vietnam Campaign Medal (W/60Dev)
- Bronze Star Medal
- Army Commendation Medal (1stOLC) & (2ndOLC)
- Air Medal (2-28th Award) & (29-39th Award) [second tour in Vietnam]
Source: Carmichaelcares.com
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