THE TWO FACES OF - UAW-Chrysler.com

NOVEMBER 11, 2007
LOOKING AHEAD AT THE UAW-CHRYSLER UAW-DAIMLERCHRYSLER NATIONAL NATIONAL TRAINING TRAINING CENTER CENTER
www.uaw-chrysler.com
Soldier and Citizen:
THE TWO FACES OF
PATRIOTISMStanding together
to defend freedom

Side by Side
“ You’re a soldier; you just do
what you have to do.”
Rudy Tibanez, UAW Local 869
UAW Vice President General Holiefield (left) and
Chrysler Senior Vice President John Franciosi
The commitment to duty and
patriotism reflected in these words is
a blunt reminder of the responsibility
shouldered by the men and women
who serve and often sacrifice in our
armed forces.
A member of the Ohio Army National
Guard, Sgt. Tibanez has earned two
Purple Hearts during two tours in Iraq
since 2003. The Warren Stamping production
worker deserves our respect and
gratitude for his service to our country
(see page 14). He is one of the Chrysler employees from union and management we
are proud to salute in our ninth annual Veterans Day Special Issue of Tomorrow.
As war in Iraq and Afghanistan continues to take American lives, honoring our
country’s tradition of service by citizen-soldiers seems as timely as ever, regardless
of our political views on the war. With the theme “Soldier and Citizen,” the 2007
issue underscores the need for people to respond when called to military duty to
sustain our democracy — often with profound effects on their work lives as well
as their personal and family lives.
Chrysler employees are among the many Americans who have fulfilled this dual
role through active duty deployment of their Reserve or National Guard units to
Iraq or Afghanistan. Others have upheld this rich tradition as members of the U.S.
armed services in past conflicts.
Space does not permit us to recognize all our veterans. But the inspirational stories
that follow are representative of other UAW-represented and non-bargaining
unit employees who have made similar contributions to preserve our freedom and
protect America. All of them are heroes among us.
In the midst of conflict in the Middle East, decades-old memories of the Vietnam
War continue to have a significant effect on Americans, especially veterans
who fought there. As a remembrance of that war, this issue of Tomorrow includes
a special feature to observe next year’s 40th anniversary of the Tet Offensive
through the stories of three Chrysler employees who experienced that pivotal
phase of that controversial conflict (see pages 24–27).
Our strong “Soldier and Citizen” tradition at UAW-Chrysler extends to the
contributions of UAW Veterans Committees and other plant-based activities that
demonstrate homeland support for our military (see pages 6–11). These efforts
matter, whether it’s sending care packages to our forces in Iraq or marching in a
parade wearing T-shirts emblazoned with “Labor Supports Our Troops.”
As UAW Local 110 Veterans Committee Co-Chairman Tom Lang says, “We
always have to remember our troops.” And always remember that freedom would
not be possible without them.
UAW-CHRYSLER
NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER
2211 East Jefferson Avenue
Detroit, MI 48207
313.567.3300
Fax: 313.567.4971
E-mail: rrussell@ucntc.org
www.uaw-chrysler.com
JOINT ACTIVITIES BOARD
GENERAL HOLIEFIELD
Vice President, Director Chrysler
Department,
UAW Co-Chairman
JOHN S. FRANCIOSI
Senior Vice President
Employee Relations,
Chrysler Co-Chairman
JAMES R. COAKLEY
Administrative Assistant to
Vice President Holiefield
KEN MCCARTER
Vice President, Union Relations
Chrysler
GARRY MASON
Executive Administrative Assistant
Office of the President, UAW
AL A. IACOBELLI
Vice President, Union Relations
Chrysler
JOHN BYERS
Administrative Assistant to
Vice President Holiefield and
Co-Director
UAW-Chrysler
National Training Center
MICHAEL BROWN
Co-Director
UAW-Chrysler
National Training Center
RON RUSSELL
Communications Administrator
BOB ERICKSON
Communications Specialist
KAREN ENGLISH
Executive Editor
JENN SNIVELY
Managing Editor
JAMEE FARINELLA
Art Director
JAIME JANKOWSKI
Production Manager
MEGHAN ABRAMS
Account Supervisor
This magazine is printed by a union
printer on union-made recycled paper.
2 www.uaw-chrysler.com

LOOKING AHEAD AT THE UAW-CHRYSLER NATIONAL TRAINING CENTER
Volume 10 • Number 4
www.uaw-chrysler.com
Special Issue: Veterans Day 2007
4
6
2 Side by Side
We salute the patriotism of our
veterans, today’s citizen-soldiers
and those who stand behind them
12 Faces of Patriotism
They’ve served in different eras and
fought different enemies. But our
veterans all share a sense of duty and
a conviction that defending freedom
is worth the sacrifices they and their
families must make
12
24
24 Remembering Tet
Forty years later, the significance
of the fiercely fought Tet Offensive
hasn’t faded — and neither have the
memories of the soldiers who were
part of that epic battle
Where Are They Now? page 4
Redeployment is a fact of life for many members of the
National Guard and Reserves. We catch up with some
veterans we’ve profiled in past issues for an update
Citizens in Action page 6
The troops currently serving overseas need support
from the home front more than ever. Here are stories
of some co-workers who make sure that our soldiers —
and our veterans — are not forgotten
Front Cover
Victor Vazquez is one of many UAW-
Chrysler veterans who’ve contributed as
both soldier and citizen, by Roy Ritchie
Back Cover
Arthur Brown, by Roy Ritchie
Tomorrow is produced five times a year by The Pohly Company, 99 Bedford St., Floor 5, Bos ton, MA 02111, 800.383.0888, www.pohlyco.com, on behalf of the UAW-Chrysler
National Training Center. Copyright 2007 by UAW-Chrysler National Training Cen ter. All rights reserved. Repro duction in whole or in part of any text, photograph or
illustration without prior written permission from the publisher is strictly prohibited.

WHERE
The Veterans Day Special Issue of Tomorrow magazine honors all the men and
women who have come forward to preserve our freedom. We especially recognize
our co-workers, family members, friends and neighbors who've been willing to
leave their civilian life behind to face unknown dangers. In past issues, we have
profiled more than 150 individuals and groups from Chrysler who have served
or who actively support those who do. Here, we catch up with some of the
veterans from past issues.
SHEILAHOLMES
Since we profiled Army Reservist
Sheila D. Holmes in the 2001 Veterans
Day Special Issue of Tomorrow, she
was promoted to master sergeant,
in 2002, and assigned to a Special
Forces unit, the 2nd Psychological
Operation, in Cleveland. She has since
been deployed to Afghanistan, where
she is now serving.
In her role as a senior noncommissioned
officer in charge, Holmes sets
up contracts with local vendors. “It is
my responsibility to make sure all my
soldiers have what they need to complete
their mission,” she says. Holmes
may not be fluent in the vendors’ language,
but she has succeeded in picking
up some words and expressions.
“It’s part of our mission to win the
hearts and minds of the local people,”
she adds.
Even though her enlistment was to
have expired in March 2007, Holmes
was retained last December because
her job was deemed too important to
release her. She was given her current
assignment in Afghanistan for 545
days, and she expects that this will
be her last tour of military duty.
She’ll mark 20 years of service in
June 2008. “It’s been an honor for me
to serve my country — for myself, my
family and for our freedom,” she says.
A Tech 2 and elected trustee of
UAW Local 7 at Jefferson North
Assembly, Holmes is looking forward
to returning to her job at the plant and
her co-workers.
Being part of the military, especially
in her current posting, has
altered Holmes’ perspective. “My life
priorities have definitely changed,”
she says. “Things I used to think were
important, I now realize are trivial.”
But one thing that will always mean
a lot is the significance of her role.
“Being a part of trying to make history
is an experience in itself,” she says. ★
4 www.uaw-chrysler.com

NOW?
ARE THEY
CHERYLLAMB
U.S. Navy Reservist Cheryl Lamb, who
was profiled in the 2003 edition, was
called up in 2004 and sent to Iraq. “We
were originally stationed in Baghdad,”
says the former petty officer second
class, “but the shelling got so bad we
had to move to Balad, about an hour
away.” Lamb, who worked as an aviation
electrician, spent two years, eight
months on active duty, serving four of
those months in Iraq. She left behind
her parents and her 14-year-old son,
Devin. While she was in Iraq, Lamb
injured her knee and required reconstructive
surgery. She retired last spring
after 20 years of military service, taking
home a Combat Action Ribbon, a Global
War on Terrorism Medal, an Expeditionary
Medal, her third Navy Achievement
Medal and her fifth Meritorious Service
Medal. A UAW Local 869 member,
Lamb works in the Janitorial Department
at Warren Stamping. ★
JIMCOURTER
Jim Courter, top right,
with fellow troops.
In the 2004 Veterans Day Special
Issue, Gina Courter wrote about the
experience of having her only son,
Jim, deployed to Iraq. Jim had decided
to join up after 9/11 and was assigned
to the Army’s 101st Airborne Division.
Discharged in 2005 after his first tour
in Iraq, Jim soon reenlisted and is now
back in the thick of the fighting. “He
was with Headquarters Battalion but
in May was moved back to the field
due to the shortage of NCOs,” says
Gina. “So many were killed by roadside
bombs.” A staff sergeant with
the 1st Cavalry, Alpha Company,
stationed in Baquba, Jim was set
to come home in October 2007 but
has been extended until December.
Gina Courter is an administrative
assistant at Center Line National
Parts Distribution Center. ★
RECONNECTING
People who serve together often form
a close bond, but may lose touch once
they return to civilian life. Now service
buddies can find each other through
a Web site designed to help them
reconnect. Lisa Johnson, PQI staff
specialist at the UAW-Chrysler Technology
Training Center, reports that
Together We Served is a feature-rich
site with portals for each of the services.
“You select your branch and
sign in,” she says. “I have reconnected
with some shipmates. It was overwhelming
at first — having memories
of people I used to spend every day
with and communicating with them
again.” See Lisa Johnson’s story
on page 17. To check out the site,
go to www.togetherweserved.com.
TOMORROW VETERANS DAY 2007 5

CITIZENS IN ACTION:
SHOWING LOYALTY
AND SUPPORT
Standing solidly behind the men and women who answer the call is
something all of us can do proudly. Whether we fill a care package, go
to bat for veterans benefits or just thank a soldier, we are supporting
those who stepped up to defend our freedom.
Mack Avenue Airman
Soldier and citizen James Candler shows both sides of patriotism
by s.c. biemesderfer
When he isn’t working as a material
handler at Mack Avenue Engine II,
you’ll find James Candler serving as
Senior Master Sgt. Candler of the
U.S. Air Force Reserve — or working
his wings as a care package angel for
military personnel overseas.
“I’ve served in the Air Force for 21
years, and it’s just a part of me,” says
Candler, who joined the Reserve in
1987 after two years of active duty. “I
never want to retire. I always tell people,
they’re going to have to put me out.”
For now, the UAW Local 51 member
is busy doing good deeds as part
of the Veterans Committee — regularly
taking its shipments of care
packages to Selfridge Air National
Guard Base near Mount Clemens,
Mich., for expedited delivery to
troops overseas.
Candler gives the Veterans Committee
a lot of credit for organizing
care packages and continuing to solicit
donations from businesses and individuals.
Donated items such as phone
cards help those serving far from
home to stay in touch with their families.
They are among the most popular
items that Candler and the committee
send to servicemen and women in the
Middle East.
“I know what it’s like to be away
from home and want to talk with your
loved ones,” he says. For nine months
in late 1990 and early 1991, Candler
was called up for a full-time assignment
at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois
for what’s known as “backfield” duty
to fill in for personnel deployed overseas.
He also served away from home
for several months in 2005 in the
aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.
“Even though there are a lot of
people still deployed away from home
right now, I have to say I’ve seen a
gradual decline in donations the last
couple of years,” adds Candler. “So
that really motivates me to keep the
sacrifices of our military front and
center. The people at Mack Avenue
are always supportive, and we just
have to take that enthusiasm and
spread it around.” ★
6 www.uaw-chrysler.com

James Candler, a UAW Local 51 member, handdelivers
care packages to the Selfridge Air
National Guard Base near Mount Clemens, Mich.,
on behalf of his Local’s Veterans Committee.
JOHN SOBCZAK
TOMORROW VETERANS DAY 2007 7

A Patriotic Picnic
A special tribute to veterans highlighted UAW Local 212’s annual gathering
by megan robershotte
This year’s UAW Local 212 family
picnic, held in August, added a patriotic
flavor to the hot dogs, ribs and
potato salad. For the first time,
Chrysler Transport workers organized
a special veterans tribute as
part of their amalgamated Local’s
annual summer get-together. “We
wanted to express a special thanks to
the men and women who volunteered
for their country,” says Kenney Prohm,
an EAP rep, local joint training
facilitator and Local 212 Recreation
Committee chair.
A color guard presentation kicked
off the daylong picnic, which took
place at the Freedom Hill Amphitheater
in Sterling Heights, Mich. After
the American flag was raised, the
National Anthem played while nine
Vietnam and Desert Storm veterans
marched to the front of the pavilion
and took their places on the stage.
U.S. Army veteran William Mault,
brother of Chrysler Transport dispatcher
and Local 212 member
Ralph Mault, then played “Taps” on
his bugle. The ceremony concluded
with a 21-gun salute fired by the
color guard.
Freedom Hill was the perfect
place for the ceremony. Only a few
months earlier a veterans tribute
wall and monument had been erected
to honor servicemen and women
from the community who have given
their lives for their country. Their
names are etched on the wall as a permanent
reminder of their sacrifice.
Standing just a few feet from the wall,
the monument holds the bronzed
boots of Chris Scalise, who participated
in the day’s ceremony. Scalise
is a U.S. Army veteran and former
employee of the now-closed Dodge
Main and Chrysler Defense Engineering
plants. His bronzed boots
have been mounted at the base of an
M-16 rifle and helmet. An Army field
transport truck known as Big Willie’s
Deuce also was on display, contributing
to the patriotic atmosphere.
Following the ceremony, the
veterans answered questions and
posed for pictures. Veterans participating
in the ceremony also included
friends of Local 212 members as
well as employee Noel Holly (U.S.
Army), a driver at Chrysler Transport
and Local 212 member; and
retiree Larry Gaughan (U.S. Army),
a former photographer at Sterling
Heights Assembly and UAW Local
889 member. ★
Photos from the Freedom Hill
Amphitheater, where this
year’s UAW Local 212 family
picnic took place. The daylong
event included a special
veterans tribute (pictured
at right).
8 www.uaw-chrysler.com

The UAW Local 110 Veterans Committee
raised money to support veterans at
this year’s gate drive in St. Louis.
They never know what they’ll find in
the donation buckets. People empty
their pockets — literally — every time
the UAW Local 110 Veterans Committee
holds a gate drive at St. Louis
South Assembly. “Everyone gives
what they can, even if it’s all the
change in their pockets,” says Tom
Lang, co-chair of the committee
along with Charles Lewey (see story
on page 26). “We find lint, cough
drops, gum, you name it — people
dig deep into their pockets,” adds
committee member Jim Swoboda, an
eight-year U.S. Air Force veteran. “It
always ends up being one of our most
successful fundraisers.”
Whether they’re organizing gate
drives, selling pins or holding yard
sales, the Local 110 Veterans Committee
has some big reasons to raise
money on behalf of the veterans they
honor and support. Their top five:
OUR TROOPS OVERSEAS — The committee
has sent more than 200 care
packages to troops in Iraq and
Afghanistan. Even with some items
donated, every package runs the committee
roughly $125. Each shipment
starts with a cooler — then committee
members fill it with essentials and
extras, including toiletry items, fly
swatters, candy, sports equipment
and the ever-popular beef jerky.
VETS ALL AROUND US — Next year,
committee members will run an
information booth — featuring story
boards of past conflicts — at nearby
Gateway International Raceway.
“There are a lot of vets out there who
may need support with things like
post-traumatic stress, and we want to
reach them,” says Lang, whose service
in the U.S. Army, Army Reserve
and Missouri Army National Guard
totals more than 25 years.
WOUNDED WARRIORS — The committee
made a $5,000 donation to the
nonprofit Wounded Warrior Project
this year. The WWP offers programs
and services for severely injured service
members during the transition
from active duty to civilian life.
HOSPITALIZED VETS — Committee
members regularly visit veterans
at the Jefferson Barracks Veterans
Hospital in St. Louis. “We bring
them personal items, plus gifts on
the holidays. And we really spend
some time with them, which I think
makes the biggest difference,” says
Tracie Bender, an enthusiastic
committee member who is not a
veteran herself.
VET VISIBILITY — Look for a proud
committee presence at community
parades. In addition to marching
every year in the local Labor Day
parade, members are part of community
events such as the Fenton, Mo.,
Founders Day parade. “Being visible
is part of our job,” says Lang. “We
wear shirts that say ‘Labor Supports
Our Troops,’ and we keep the word
out there. We always have to remember
our troops.” ★
TOMORROW VETERANS DAY 2007 9

SEEING RED
At Indiana Transmission I,
workers are making a
special fashion statement
by gwyn driskill
Kelly Dollahite is a fashion trendsetter.
When the Indiana Transmission
I line worker and UAW Local
685 member heard about the idea
of wearing red to show support for
men and women in uniform, he set
out to spread
the word. And
for him, that
also means a
show of support
for his
daughter Tiffany,
an air
Tiffany Dollahite greets redshirted
supporters at ITP I.
traffic controller
with the U.S.
Marines stationed in Miramar, Calif.
It didn’t take long for Dollahite
and three co-workers — Shane
Dittfield, Alex Redd and Tracy
Aikman — to get the idea rolling.
They call it Red Shirt Fridays, and
now it’s all the rage at the plant.
Dollahite says that nearly everyone
on his production line participates.
For Dollahite, Red Shirt Fridays
are also a family affair. “I have a sister-in-law
and a brother-in-law on
my shift,” he says, and they all pull
together every week to honor Tiffany.
That gesture hasn’t gone unnoticed.
In early August, Tiffany toured
the plant while on leave. Dressed in
full uniform, the lance corporal met
the men and women who support her
from thousands of miles away, many
of whom wore red in honor of her
visit. The plant’s Veterans Committee
even presented Tiffany with a plaque
to commemorate the occasion.
Workers at Indiana Transmission
Plant II also have shown their support
for our troops by organizing Red
Shirt Fridays, as featured in the
2006 Veterans Day Special Issue. ★
A Tradition of Caring
Detroit Axle workers find creative ways to support our troops
by gwyn driskill
Troops sent photographs
to Detroit Axle as
thanks for sending
them care packages.
When it comes to honoring our men and
women in uniform, workers at Detroit
Axle have no shortage of ideas. As chair
of the UAW Local 961 Veterans Committee,
Steve Penrose, a hi-lo driver,
organized a bowling night fundraiser
a few weeks before Veterans Day.
The evening’s family-friendly festivities
included a 50/50 raffle and a mystery
game. “We plan to use the money we raised to purchase appreciation gifts for
our fellow employees whose names are on the Veterans Wall in the plant,”
explains Penrose. The Veterans Committee hopes to underscore that recognition
by inviting the UAW Region 1 Honor Guard to perform a flag ceremony
in front of the Veterans Wall.
But that’s not all the committee has on tap for the year. Any money left
over from bowling night will go toward the purchase of phone cards for troops
stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan, just in time for the holidays.
Remembering those who serve is also top of mind in Detroit Axle’s Medical
Department, where Occupational Health Nurse Specialist Ernest “Ernie”
Moore works. As a Vietnam-era vet, Moore remembers the difficulty of being
away from his family during the holidays. During Christmas 2005, the Local
412 member began asking fellow employees to give nonperishable snack foods
and monetary donations for care packages for troops overseas.
Rather than sending packages to specific individuals, Moore prefers to
send them to entire units. Initially, he selected his cousin’s unit stationed in
Iraq with the Army Surgeon General’s Office. “Once the packages were
received, they distributed them throughout the unit and to local Iraqi children,”
Moore says.
With the holidays just around the corner, Moore and his team are working
hard to make sure this tradition continues. Even though Moore’s cousin has
since returned to the United States, Detroit Axle workers continue to support
his unit, in addition to a few new ones. “We plan to select two other units
where employees here have friends or relatives serving,” Moore says.
To participate in Detroit Axle’s care package project, contact Ernie Moore
at efm3@chrysler.com. ★
10 www.uaw-chrysler.com

One Worker’s
Tribute
St. Louis South’s Pete Green pays
respect through music
by steve knopper
Pete Green
Metal Teardown
St. Louis South Assembly
UAW Local 110
MARK KATZMAN
I was working in the basement of my
church, St. Clair Catholic Church,
about three weeks after the World
Trade Center fell, when I found some
bugles. It seems that in the 1950s the
church had a bugle and drum corps,
which was disbanded not too long
after that. Then they stored the
instruments in the basement, which
flooded. I asked the priest if I could
have the bugles to see what I could do
with them. He said, “Go ahead.”
Most of them were ruined, but three
had life in them. I took them home,
cleaned them out with rods and got
them to play.
I had no prior experience playing
a bugle. I just listened to “Taps”
on television when they played it at
Arlington Cemetery. I’d go into the
bedroom and start trying to duplicate
it. Then I bought a CD of the Marine
Corps doing it and played along with
that. I’m still not very good because
it’s hard to play.
I started playing “Taps” four, five,
six times a day for everybody who
was killed at the World Trade Center
on 9/11. I just finished last August. It
was over 2,700 times. I got the numbers
off the news.
My family didn’t know. My wife
didn’t even know. On breaks at work,
I’d go way out in the yard or play
inside one of the new minivans we
build. Or I would play inside at home.
It didn’t get boring because I knew
I was playing for these people that
died for nothing, on my soil. I did it
because of so many brothers and sisters
dying. It was kind of fulfilling.
I played again not long ago when
some firefighters got killed. Usually I
“ I STARTED PLAYING TAPS FOUR, FIVE TIMES A DAY
FOR EVERYBODY WHO WAS KILLED AT THE WORLD
TRADE CENTER ON 9/11.”
play once to the east, once to the west,
once to the south, once to the north.
I always try to get it in four or five
times. Once in a while, I get in six.
I still have the bugles here. I’m still
playing for special things. ★
TOMORROW VETERANS DAY 2007 11

KEITH FEATHER ★ ★ ★
Keith Feather
U.S. Army Air Corps, 1942–43
Platoon Sergeant
New England National Guard, 1945–46
26th Infantry Division
Private First Class
Chrysler Defense Engineering
Engineer, Retired

★ ★ ★
A strong democracy needs both a prepared, committed military
and informed, involved citizens. In this 2007 Veterans Day
Special Issue, we honor our colleagues who have taken their
turn on active duty, then come home to take their place as
conscientious citizens and productive workers.
Stepping up to serve is never easy. Neither is transitioning
from active duty to everyday civilian life. We salute those who
have served, those who still serve and those who support them.
KEVIN MIYAZAKI
As told to Meghan Little
I
volunteered to go into the Air
Force in 1942 because it seemed
like the right thing to do. I was
an aircraft engine mechanic for
about two years and rose in rank
to platoon sergeant.
When the government began the
Army Specialized Training Program,
which provided special funding for
college courses, they came to me and
said I was bright enough to participate
in this program. Knowing I
could get a bachelor’s degree in
mechanical engineering in two years,
I signed the paper. Little did I know
that I was also signing away my Air
Force enlistment.
After three semesters at the University
of Maine, wartime casualties
were so high, the program ended
and I was sent to the New England
National Guard, Yankee Division.
My Air Force rank now obsolete,
I was a private first class. But what’s
the difference if you’re a platoon
sergeant and get shot, or a PFC and
get shot?
We landed well after D-Day and
mopped up northern France. During
one battle, I did a foolish thing: I
forgot that you’re not supposed to
throw two grenades from the same
position. I did, and I got shot. That
day I was the 31st man wounded in
our platoon of 48. They bandaged
me up on the field and gave me five
prisoners to take back to the POW
holding area about five miles behind
the front line. When I got there, the
officer who took the prisoners asked
if I was wounded. When I said yes,
he sent me to the aid station in the
same area. They operated and eventually
put my arm in a splint and
sent me back to the United States.
I underwent physical therapy at
Percy Jones Army Hospital in Battle
Creek, Mich., and was able to finish
out my service points as an MP in
my hometown of Detroit.
I completed my degree in
mechanical engineering at Michigan
State University and went on
to work for Chrysler for 28 years.
I finished my career at Boeing,
building and maintaining military
airplanes, including Air Force 1,
which was a real boost. ★
TOMORROW VETERANS DAY 2007 13

RUDY A. TIBANEZ ★ ★ ★
Rudy A. Tibanez
U.S. Marine Corps, 1972–74
Third Infantry Division
Ohio Army National Guard,
1985–Present
Sergeant
Warren Stamping
Metal Finisher
UAW Local 869
As told to Steve Knopper
I’ve been to Iraq twice. The first
time, in 2003, I was with a military
police unit — we did a lot of
convoy escorts. We went through
Saddam Hussein’s palace. His swimming
pools are like something you’d
see in Las Vegas. And you have these
poor people out there starving.
I came back in 2004 and was back
to work for six or seven months. But
I missed being part of that action. I
heard there was another unit going to
Iraq — a combat engineer unit out of
Toledo. So I made a phone call. It
didn’t take but a week or two to have
orders. The hard thing was letting my
wife know. She knows I’m always
looking for that excitement. So I told
her I was forced to go.
She said, “You’re full of it. I know
exactly what you did.” She was mad
for a good month. One day we were
shopping and she said, “You’re probably
going to need some things.” She
finally accepted that I was going.
As a combat engineer, I was thinking
all we’re going to do is build housing.
But to our surprise, our job was to
look for roadside bombs. It’s called the
Iron Claw Mission. You have two
Hummers up front and “the buffalo,”
a 23-foot vehicle that holds eight guys.
It’s got a claw that reaches 30 feet out
and looks for anything that might be a
roadside bomb. We escorted that buffalo
in two Hummers all through Iraq.
The fourth day, we were scanning,
five miles per hour, looking at different
stuff — trash, dead animals. I
happened to look up and see an Iraqi
guy to my left. I’m turning around to
tell my gunner to focus on my left. By
the time I turn around, we get blown
up. All I remember was getting
thrown around the Hummer on my
right side. This happened in slow
motion, you know what I mean? I
never experienced this. I look down
at my shoulder and my ears are ringing.
The next thing I remember is a
lot of confusion, people talking and
waving, with my hearing gone. I
ended up with an injured right shoulder
and hearing loss to my right ear.
It wasn’t a whole lot that time.
A few weeks later, I went back out.
We got a call that they found a roadside
bomb north of Baghdad. Once we
got to the site there was already a unit
there. They said, “We’re clearing the
area and you guys can head back.”
Around a mile down the road, a vehicle
gets blown up on my side. It knocks
me out and slams me against the window.
It shatters my shoulder. I got this
big bone sticking out. That’s when
they sent me back to base camp and
said we were done. I had to go home.
I’m 53. I was awarded my second
Purple Heart at that time. I had physical
therapy for about four months. It
always aches. But that’s the type of
person I am — you’re injured, so
what. You’re a soldier; you just do
what you have to do. ★
14 www.uaw-chrysler.com

CAROL HUDSON ★ ★ ★
LEFT: ROY RITCHIE; RIGHT: JOHN SOBCZAK
Carol Hudson
U.S. Army, 1973–75
5th Army Corps
Specialist 5
Marysville National Parts
Distribution Center
Administrative Analyst
UAW Local 889
As told to S.C. Biemesderfer
I’m not the first one in my family
to serve in the Army and work
at Marysville. My late brother,
Mike, served in Germany during the
Vietnam War and worked at Marysville,
too. And my father served in the
Army in World War II, then worked
at Marysville for 38 years before
retiring. In fact, when he came back
from the war he returned to Marysville;
that’s when he met my mother.
She was sort of like one of the Rosie
the Riveters who worked while the
men were overseas, and she stayed on
for a number of years after the war.
So I suppose things have come full
circle with the Army, Marysville and
me — and I’m proud that they did.
I enlisted in the Army at the end
of the Vietnam War era. That’s when
they made the transition to an allvolunteer
Army. After serving for
two years, I knew I would be able to
go to college on the GI Bill. Once I
finished basic training, I received
advanced training as a clerk typist.
I thought I was going to be stationed
in Hawaii, but as it turned out, I was
stationed in West Germany. I was
assigned to an administrative job
in the judge advocate’s office.
I finished serving out my commitment
to the Army in 1975. After
that, I went to college in Florida,
starting at Pensacola Junior College,
then the University of West Florida. I
earned a bachelor’s degree in business
management and eventually moved
back home to Michigan.
I guess in a way my military service
led me to Chrysler because getting
my degree through the GI Bill is
what made me think about applying
for jobs at the company in the early
1980s. I was hired on at Marysville
in 1986. Originally, I thought I might
want to move into management some
day, since that’s what I studied, but I
ended up very happy where I am. ★
“ IN A WAY MY MILITARY SERVICE LED ME TO CHRYSLER
BECAUSE GETTING MY DEGREE THROUGH THE GI BILL
IS WHAT MADE ME THINK ABOUT APPLYING FOR JOBS
AT THE COMPANY IN THE EARLY 1980S.”
TOMORROW VETERANS DAY 2007 15

DAVID & THOMAS WRIGHT
★ ★ ★
David Wright (left)
U.S. Air Force, 1965–67
35th Air Police Squadron
Airman First Class
Arizona Proving Grounds
Endurance Test Driver
UAW Local 509
Thomas Wright
U.S. Marine Corps, 1965–67
2nd Battalion, 4th Marines
Sergeant
U.S. Marine Corps Reserves, 1967–71
Staff Sergeant
Arizona Proving Grounds
Endurance Test Driver
UAW Local 509
As told to Brian Bertoldo
Tom Wright: We were at Phan Rang
Air Force Base in September
1966 when we sat down to
decide which one of us was to leave
Vietnam. Regulations stipulated that
brothers could not serve in combat at
the same time. But after a lengthy
conversation, with each of us saying
the other should leave, we finally
decided that neither of us would
leave. There’s a great motivation to
stick with your unit. And above all,
we both wanted to get the job done.
Fortunately for us, the powers that be
agreed and let us stay. So after a game
of double-deck pinochle, David
stayed on at Phan Rang and I went
back to Dong Ha. And even after 40-
plus years, we have no regrets about
the decision we made. Our philosophy
was, “Until your time’s up, you
do your job.” And it was a dangerous
job in probably the most dangerous
place in the world for an American
in uniform.
David Wright: After a February 1967
USO show featuring Nancy Sinatra,
I got word that my brother had been
wounded in the leg by an improvised
hand grenade. With no planes available
to fly me north to Cam Ranh Bay
where Tom was hospitalized, I managed
to hitch a ride on Ms. Sinatra’s
C-130. At Cam Ranh Bay, while
Nancy walked off the plane to cameras
flashing and fans cheering, I
brought up the rear in my raunchy
fatigues. Then I spotted some familiar
faces in the base security detail
and explained my situation. They
gave me a siren-screaming escort to
the hospital. When the wounded men
there heard the approaching wail,
Tom turned to them and said, “That’s
just my brother coming.” Once I saw
that my brother was still in one piece,
I said, “See I told you, you should
have gone home.”
Having been in combat has helped
me keep a perspective in my civilian
life. Whenever I’ve been faced with a
crisis, my first instinct is to ask, “Is
anyone going to die?” If not, then we
can get through it. ★
16 www.uaw-chrysler.com

As told to Barbara Sanford
I
come from a military family. Three
of my brothers enlisted, and my
father was in the Army during
Vietnam. My nephew just enlisted, so
we now have three generations who
have served. I’m the only female.
I’d gone to college for 2½ years
before enlisting in the Navy. I thought
it was a good way to complete my
education. I joined the Navy to go to
sea but instead got orders for Cuba,
where I served at Guantanamo Bay
Naval Station during Desert Storm.
At that time, political asylum seekers
were fleeing Haiti. Every third day it
was my turn to raise the flag — not
many people can say they raised the
American flag in a communist country.
I had a huge sense of pride.
I trained at the Pensacola Naval
Technical Training Center in Florida
and the Chesapeake (Va.) Electronic
Warfare Operational Programming
Facility. I was Sailor of the Quarter
four times and Sailor of the Year. I
have eight ribbons and medals. Before
I hit 30, I had done more than
most people get to do in a lifetime.
The Navy gave me the courage to
stand up for what I believe in and a
sense of duty and pride. I’m able to
make decisions and stand by them. It
taught me discipline, regimentation
and organizational and time management
skills — and not to be afraid of
things. Two years ago I did my first
skydive. As usual, it was me and a
planeload of guys. The military and
automotive industries are predominantly
male. I grew up with four
brothers, so the testosterone zone
is nothing new to me.
I still feel connected to the military.
It’s a part of my life I’ll never
forget. I’ve kept in touch with my
first commander and his wife. She
persuaded me to return to school, get
my degree and continue on. They’re
pretty important to me.
Both my Navy and civilian jobs are
24-hour operations. You count on
each other and become like family.
Whether it’s in the plant or on a ship or
land base, everybody pulls together. ★
LISA JOHNSON ★ ★ ★
LEFT: MICHAEL MERTZ; RIGHT: ROY RITCHIE
“ BOTH MY NAVY AND CIVILIAN
JOBS ARE 24-HOUR OPERA-
TIONS. YOU COUNT ON EACH
OTHER AND BECOME LIKE
FAMILY. WHETHER IT’S IN
THE PLANT OR ON A SHIP OR
LAND BASE, EVERYBODY
PULLS TOGETHER.”
Lisa Johnson
U.S. Navy, 1990–95
Electronic Warfare Operational
Programming Facility
Cryptological Technician,
Petty Offi cer 2nd Class
UAW-Chrysler Technology Training Center
PQI Staff Specialist
TOMORROW VETERANS DAY 2007 17

RICHELLE HALL-SMITH ★ ★ ★
Richelle Hall-Smith
Michigan Army National Guard, 1978–79
1776th Military Police Company
U.S. Army, 1979–82
69th Field Artillery
U.S. Army Reserves, 1982–88
679th Personnel Service Company
Michigan Army National Guard, 1988–2001
177th Military Police Brigade
Staff Sergeant
Mack Avenue Engine I
EAP Representative
UAW Local 51
“ PEOPLE COME TO ME TO TALK
ABOUT [THE MILITARY].... BECAUSE
I UNDERSTAND THE MILITARY
EXPERIENCE, I CAN SOMETIMES
BE HELPFUL.”
As told to S.C. Biemesderfer
I
served in the military for a total
of 23 years, starting with my
enlistment in the Michigan Army
National Guard in 1978. After
serving in Detroit for about a year,
I decided to enlist for active duty. I
was trained as a radio operator,
and my first orders overseas were
for Saudi Arabia. I spent about two
weeks in Dhahran before the Army
declared the area a “hardship tour”
for women and they switched my
orders to Germany. I ended up
being assigned to the 518th Signal
Company.
In 1982, after serving three years,
I went from active duty to Individual
Ready Reserve and moved back to
the States — eventually, Birmingham,
Ala. Then in 1988, I decided to
move back home to Detroit to seek
out job opportunities, and I joined
up with the Michigan Army National
Guard again.
Chrysler hired me in 1993. I
worked in assembly at Mound
Road Engine until 1998, when I
was transferred to Mack Avenue
Engine. Several months later, I was
appointed to my current job as an
EAP representative.
In September 2001, I retired from
the Guard so that I could take care
of my grandfather, who was very
sick. He was a vet, too — served in
the Army. And my father was in the
Navy. I put in my papers for retirement
just a few days before September
11, and they were actually processed
on 9/11. I gave it a second
thought after what happened that
day, but decided to stick with my
decision and take care of my family.
One of the good things about my
military background is that it helps
me be of service. People come to me
to talk about related situations that
are difficult for them, like having a
hard time dealing with the fact that a
loved one has been deployed to serve
in Iraq. Because I understand the military
experience, I can sometimes be
helpful. I’m grateful there’s something
I can do to support our military
families, and my heart goes out to all
of them. ★
18 www.uaw-chrysler.com

LEFT: JOHN SOBCZAK; RIGHT: CHRIS HARTLOVE
As told to Barbara Sanford
I
didn’t want to go to college, so right
after high school I joined the Air
Force to see the world. I was a security
policeman at Goodfellow Air Force
Base in San Angelo, Texas, and Kadena
Air Base in Okinawa, Japan. I got
deployed to Riyadh Air Base in Saudi
Arabia as part of Operation Southern
Watch, Thumrait Airbase in Oman
during Operation Desert Fox and
Desert Thunder, and Osan Airbase
in South Korea. I got to see England,
Germany, Italy, Guam and Hawaii.
I got my scuba diver and pilot
licenses in Okinawa. I’d scuba on my
days off and fly from island to island.
I was Flight Level Airman of the Year
in 1999. In Korea I took a cab far
from the base to experience the culture.
I survived my first soju (traditional
rice-based alcohol) experience,
chickened out eating dog and ate
bulgogi and kimchee. The Korean
people were welcoming.
My grandfathers were in the
Army — one during World War II
and the other in Korea. I felt closer
to them after my military experience.
They would tell me stories they had
bottled up for 40 years. They had
no one to tell them to before me.
Coming home was a little depressing
after being on a tropical island
where there was no confrontation or
crime. I attended the University of
Texas at Dallas and got my degree in
business administration. I had zero
debt, thanks to the GI Bill and a State
of Texas veterans program. I worked
in the government contracting industry
and joined Chrysler in 2006 after
earning an MBA from Texas A&M
University.
The Air Force completely changed
my life. It gave me the discipline I
needed to excel both professionally
and personally. It taught me persistence
and resilience. Now I see things
through and focus on the larger goal.
I’m a life member of the VFW. I was
proud to serve. ★
“ THE AIR FORCE
COMPLETELY CHANGED
MY LIFE. IT GAVE
ME THE DISCIPLINE I
NEEDED TO EXCEL BOTH
PROFESSIONALLY AND
PERSONALLY.”
Bryan Lasater
U.S. Air Force, 1995–2000
18th Security Forces Squadron
Senior Airman
Mid-Atlantic Business Center
District Manager
BRYAN LASATER ★ ★ ★
TOMORROW VETERANS DAY 2007 19

AL OPRA
★ ★ ★
As told to S.C. Biemesderfer
In 1981, three weeks after I turned
17, I decided that I wanted to be a
Marine. And like they say, be careful
what you wish for. After about a
year of serving with the Marine Security
Forces in Alaska, I got orders to go
to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina. In
May 1983, after the April bombing of
the U.S. Embassy in Beirut, Lebanon,
I was deployed to Beirut.
We were on patrol a lot and guarded
the American and British embassies
and Lebanese universities. We were
attacked during one of those patrols,
and I got flash burns from an RPG
(rocket propelled grenade). By October,
it was time for me to rotate out for two
weeks of liberty, and they put me on a
ship with other Marines headed for
Egypt. Then reports started coming out
that our barracks in Beirut had been
attacked by a suicide bomber. As the
death toll kept climbing, we felt the ship
turn around.
I’d slept in those barracks the night
before. Of course, one thing that goes
through your head is “that could have
been me.” In Michigan, they had me
listed as Missing in Action, and at one
point, Killed in Action. Two officers in
dress blues came to my mother’s house
to say they didn’t know anything yet —
she nearly had a heart attack.
Once we got off the ship, we all
just jumped in and started helping. It
would turn out that it was the largest
non-nuclear blast ever — anywhere.
I already had a high security
clearance, so they put me on a team
helping the FBI and NCIS (Naval
Criminal Investigative Service) get evidence
for their investigations. The
building was just rubble, and most of
the bodies were crushed, or even worse.
So every day we dug through the rubble,
pulling up everything from body
parts to pieces of the bomber’s truck.
We found 660 pieces of the truck, and
there were a total of 241 dead servicemen
— 220 of them Marines.
I’ll never forget guarding the caskets,
silver casket after silver casket.
Sometimes people can’t believe
that I reenlisted after that, but I did.
I wanted to be a career Marine, but
eventually my knees wore out and I
had to retire — just too many years
of putting my 6-foot-7-inch frame
through infantry drills.
After I left the Marines, I moved
around for a while then went back
home to Michigan. I got a job working
vacation replacement at Jefferson
North Assembly in 1995, and started
at Detroit Axle the next year. I’m on
the UAW National Veterans Advisory
Committee, our Local’s Veterans
Committee and I’m chair of our UAW
Region I Veterans Council.
I’ve been out on disability since
2005, when a drunk driver hit me on
my Harley. I died twice — technically,
anyway — while they were working
to save my life. But when I woke up
I told them, “Marines don’t die.”
I lost a leg, but I made it. ★
Al “Big Al” Opra
U.S. Marines, 1981–86
Marine Security Forces
1st Battalion, 8th Marines
Mountain Warfare Training Center
Corporal
Detroit Axle
Floater/Stock Chaser
UAW Local 961
Troops gather around
a bomb site in Lebanon.

LEFT: DWIGHT CENDROWSKI; RIGHT: ROY RITCHIE
Victor Vazquez
U.S. Army, 1991–97
18th Airborne Corps
Michigan National Guard, 1997–99
119th Field Artillery Brigade
Specialist 4
Sterling Heights Assembly Plant
Assembly Worker
UAW Local 1700
As told to Barbara Sanford
I
joined the Army in Puerto Rico.
It was something I always wanted
to do. I was in college and talked
to a recruiter. The next thing I knew,
I was leaving in two weeks.
It was the first time I left home.
It was during the Gulf War, and my
parents were afraid. It was the first
time I saw my dad cry. He was proud
of me but kept his feelings to himself.
He wouldn’t let me say goodbye.
I was on special assignment in
Germany with the 59th Ordnance
Brigade, monitoring nuclear weapons
on a remote site. Then I was assigned
to field artillery units at Fort Bragg,
N.C., and in the Michigan National
Guard. I received a Service Ribbon,
National Defense Ribbon, Overseas
Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal and
an Army Commendation Medal.
I’m happy with what I’ve accomplished.
The military has taught me
discipline, responsibility, how to
respect everyone around me, how to
be a leader and how to be a good son
and parent. I treat everyone the same
as I’d like to be treated. If I can help,
I’ll be there. And when I see a person
in uniform, a homeless veteran, a policeman
or fireman, I thank them for
serving and protecting our country.
I had three kids when I left the
Army (I now have four). My wife
loved military life and wanted me to
stay in, but I wanted to concentrate
more on my family. I show my kids
that anything you put yourself up to
you can accomplish — keep your
head up, look forward, keep going.
Everything I have I owe to the
VICTOR VAZQUEZ ★ ★ ★
“ THE MILITARY HAS TAUGHT ME DISCIPLINE, RESPONSIBILITY,
HOW TO RESPECT EVERYONE AROUND ME, HOW TO BE A
LEADER AND HOW TO BE A GOOD SON AND PARENT.”
Army. The Veterans Administration
helped me get my Chrysler job. I
moved from Detroit to the suburbs.
Everyone welcomed us; they didn’t
judge us by our color. We get along
with everybody. ★
TOMORROW VETERANS DAY 2007 21

★ ★ ★ ROGER JOHNS
Roger Johns
Michigan Army National Guard, 1974–91
207th Engineer Battalion Headquarters
U.S. Army Reserve, 1991–94
U.S. Army Retired Reserve, 1994–Present
Captain
Mack Avenue Engine I
Machine Repairman
UAW Local 51
As told to
S.C. Biemesderfer
I
enlisted in the Michigan
Army National
Guard in 1974 and
was assigned to the Signal
Corps. After a few
years, I decided that if I
was going to stay, I might
as well go all out, so I
went to Officer Candidate School.
In the mid-’80s, I was assigned to
battalion headquarters in Bay City,
Mich., as the communications and
electronics staff officer. My wife,
Jenni, was the unit’s journalist at the
time, so that’s how we met. In early
1988, I popped the question, and we
were married later that year.
In 1990, Jenni decided to hang up
her uniform after 12 years of service.
With tuition help from the Army and
National Guard, she earned her bachelor’s
degree in journalism, and now
she’s focusing on her civilian career in
public relations. I retired in 1994 and
I started working at Chrysler nine
years ago.
Veterans Day is important to both
Jenni and me — not just to remember
those who’ve lost their lives, but also
those who now serve to keep us free.
We both have a number of relatives
who’ve been in the military — including
Jenni’s grandfather and father.
Also, my brother and his son are both
stationed in Baghdad right now.
So every day we honor them and
the rest of our military who serve.
Jenni and I have been flying the American
flag in front of our house since
9/11, and it won’t come down until
all our soldiers are back home. ★
ROBERT JIMENEZ ★ ★ ★
As told to Kristina Wong
In the early ’60s, those days were
different. The war in Vietnam
wasn’t popular and people didn’t
want to serve, even though the military
needed soldiers badly. I come
from a patriotic family — my dad,
uncle and brothers all served, and I
wasn’t going to neglect my duty as a
citizen. The hardest part was being
recently wed, and four months later,
leaving behind my young wife.
I was 21 years old and studying to
Robert “Bobby J” Jimenez
U.S. Army, 1965–67
82nd Airborne,
18th Corps Engineering Brigade
Sergeant
Los Angeles Parts Distribution Center
Stockperson, retired
UAW Local 230
be an engineer when I was drafted.
The Army trained me as a demolition
specialist to handle explosives.
Because I was older than a lot of the
men, the officials saw my leadership
abilities and promoted me quickly. In
1966, I trained as an infantryman at
Fort Bragg, N.C. I soon became a sergeant
and a combat engineer.
At that time, the military almost
guaranteed to send soldiers home
within 24 hours after their tour in
Vietnam was over. It was a good idea,
yet they neglected to see the difficult
adjustment it was mentally for troops
to return to “normal” lives.
In 1967, I worked for a small Los
Angeles parts company that was
bought out by Chrysler. Many feared
employee concerns would be overlooked,
so myself and five others got
in touch with UAW field representatives,
collected signatures and voted
for UAW representation. It was the
smartest thing we’ve ever done.
I’ve been part of Chrysler and the
UAW for 35 years. Over the years, my
role in Local 230 ranged from financial
secretary to trustee and then vice president
and committeeman.
My time as a leader in the military
has only helped me in being an active
union member and taking responsibility
to do a better job. I retired in
2005 and am currently the president
of the UAW Local 230 Retirees Chapter.
I am proud to say I’ve worked
with Chrysler. ★
22 www.uaw-chrysler.com

LEFT, TOP TO BOTTOM: DWIGHT CENDROWSKI; BRIAN DAVIS;
RIGHT: DWIGHT CENDROWSKI
Chuck Gutting
U.S. Army, 1975–84
101st Airborne Division, 2nd Ranger
Battalion, 10th Special Forces
U.S. Army Reserve, 1985–95
Michigan Army National Guard, 1995–2001
U.S. Army, 2006–07
1st Infantry Division
Master Sergeant
Warren Stamping
PQI Facilitator
As told to Steve Knopper
I
volunteered to serve in Iraq in
early 2006. At that time, with
the war entering its fourth year,
I knew a lot of guys on active duty
would probably deploy at least twice.
I said, “If I’m going to volunteer, I’ll
volunteer to take one of their places
so they can stay home with their
families.” I initially looked at deployment
in Iraq. My second choice was
Afghanistan, and the U.S. was my
third choice. They sent me to Fort
Riley in Kansas.
I was training American soldiers
and airmen to become advisers for
the Iraqi army and the Afghan army.
Primarily, it was to assist in understanding
the language and the
culture because of my background
in Special Forces.
They went to a 60-day program
at Fort Riley and were deployed overseas.
Each team’s going in there, 10 to
15 people, and they’ll be alongside a
500-man Iraqi battalion. The first
thing they have to do is build rapport
if they’re going to get anything done
during their year over there. If you
can speak a little bit of their language,
it opens up doors for you. Anytime
you’re overseas, people really appreciate
that. It’s very difficult to get anything
done through an interpreter. I’ve
“ IF YOU CAN SPEAK A LITTLE BIT OF THEIR LANGUAGE,
IT OPENS UP DOORS FOR YOU.”
CHUCK GUTTING ★ ★ ★
found that to be true wherever I’ve
been — Norway, Korea, Egypt and
Lebanon. If they don’t build rapport,
they’re going to have a miserable year.
I was trained as a heavy weapons
sergeant. If you’ve ever seen the old
John Wayne movie The Green Berets,
that’s pretty much it. We trained for
a variety of missions. When I was in
Special Forces in 1980, of course, the
whole Army was training to stop the
Soviets from coming across the border
in West Germany. With the Special
Forces, we were stationed in the
States but we were overseas quite frequently,
whether it was in Europe or
the Mideast. I started picking up a
little bit of language here, a little bit
there. Earlier I could speak a little
Norwegian. Not anymore. Now it’s
Iraqi Arabic. Probably one of the
hardest languages I’ve heard is Mandarin
Chinese. They say Iraqi Arabic
is not at that level, but pretty high up
there, as far as difficulty. I continue
to study every day. ★
TOMORROW VETERANS DAY 2007 23

Remembering
Forty years ago, American forces throughout Vietnam faced a massive assault
by Nancy Shepherdson
January 30, 1968, is a date many Vietnam veterans can’t forget. That’s when the North Vietnamese
army and the guerrilla Vietcong launched an offensive that seemed to come from everywhere at once. In the
middle of the usually peaceful Tet holiday (Vietnamese New Year), U.S. and South Vietnamese troops faced
a coordinated attack in at least 106 cities. Enemy troops also laid siege to the U.S. airbase at Khe Sanh, an
assault that would last two months (see story on page 27), and attacked the U.S. Embassy in Saigon.
Militarily, the Tet Offensive ended in victory for U.S. forces, which eventually beat back the enemy. But the
strength and ferocity of the attacks spelled the beginning of the end of popular support for the war. Peace
negotiations would start less than four months after Tet.
Several of our Chrysler vets were in country during Tet, some in the thick of the fighting. Three are
Odester Horton, Arthur Brown and Charles Lewey. Here are their stories.
“IN VIETNAM, I
LEARNED A LOT
OF DISCIPLINE
AND RESPECT.”
ODESTER HORTON
24 www.uaw-chrysler.com

Tet
“I COULDN’T BELIEVE
WE WERE WALKING
INTO THAT.”
Odester Horton
U.S. Marines, 1968–70
2nd Battalion, 3rd Marine Division
Corporal
Indiana Transmission II
Team Leader, converter housing
UAW Local 685
LEFT: TOD MARTENS; RIGHT: ROY RITCHIE
A
typo on his orders sent
Odester Horton to a forward
observation post just as Tet
began. “We were out on a hill, the farthest
to the front other than infantry
on the ground,” remembers Horton.
“We could see the enemy in their
training camps.” Horton’s unit was
supposed to keep an eye on the enemy,
do mine sweeps on the roads and man
a 106 mm recoilless rifle. “That’s a
big gun,” says Horton. “My sergeant
said, ‘If you want to die early, stand
behind that gun.’ The air came out of
it like jet exhaust when we fired it.”
Horton remembers that it rained
constantly during Tet, which came
during the January rainy season. His
job, until someone figured out the typo
— and nobody had time for that during
Tet — was to man an M60 machine
gun. “I made sure that nobody came
through the trip wires,” he says.
His position was never directly
attacked during the offensive, but his
unit’s “sister hill” a few miles away
was. “They got attacked by mortars
at night. We could see it coming so we
went all dark,” he says. “But we
couldn’t raise them by radio to tell
them to switch their power off. Our
sergeant went over there alone to
warn them and got a medal.”
After Tet, Horton’s new orders
caught up with him and he was transferred
to artillery at Da Nang. He’s
never forgotten the lessons he learned
in Vietnam, particularly from his
heroic sergeant. “In Vietnam, I
learned a lot of discipline and
respect,” he says. “I look at young
people today and I think they need to
go into the service. I encouraged my
nephew to go into the Army — he’s in
training right now. I know it will benefit
him and give him some direction.”
Arthur Brown
U.S. Army, 1968–70
2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Division
Corporal
Mack Avenue Engine II
Supervisor, engine assembly
ARTHUR BROWN
Mortars were exploding as
Arthur Brown’s transport
plane was attempting to
land in Vietnam. “The plane couldn’t
even land until our artillery got that
mortar nest,” recalls Brown of his
introduction to the war. Once the
plane finally landed, the new arrivals
were shot at on their truck en route to
the base. And on top of all that, the
newest soldiers on base couldn’t even
defend themselves. “We hadn’t gotten
guns yet, but we’d heard all the
horror stories about positions being
TOMORROW VETERANS DAY 2007 25

overrun during Tet,” he says. “I
couldn’t believe we were walking
into that.”
Still the greenest of soldiers,
Brown was sent out on an ambush
the next day — by mistake. “I blew
the ambush because I shot at a rat —
I’m scared of rats to this day,” he
says. “The next day they found
out I belonged to the Big Red One
[1st Infantry Division] and I was
assigned to an electric plant three
miles from Saigon.”
From there, Brown and his unit
went into the countryside in helicopters
to engage the enemy. It was a
high-risk mission, and Brown saw
many of his fellow soldiers killed or
wounded. In 1969, Brown’s own time
came and he was wounded twice in
the same day, ending up with a 90 percent
disability. In the first incident,
he was shot and slightly wounded.
Patched up, he returned to combat
only to have two grenades lobbed at
him. He batted both away with his
rifle, saving his life, but they exploded
close enough to take him out of the
war permanently.
Brown has been an active member
of the Disabled American Veterans
for many years and tries to do as
much as he can to help raise awareness
of the sacrifices veterans have
made. Last year on Veterans Day he
brought five American flags to hang
at the plant. He also marches in
parades with veterans units and
helps assemble care packages for soldiers
in Iraq. “In Vietnam, we had
enemies all around us, and I see the
same thing happening in Iraq,” he
says. “We’ve got to support our
troops there.”
“ SOMETIMES YOU
FEEL GUILTY
THAT YOU MADE
IT HOME WHEN
58,000 GUYS
DIDN’T.”
CHARLES LEWEY
Charles Lewey
U.S. Air Force, 1965–69
60th Aerial Delivery Squadron
Sergeant
St. Louis South Assembly
Floater
UAW Local 110
Charles Lewey volunteered for
the Air Force and for Vietnam.
“I didn’t think it was
right that other guys were going and
not me,” he says. When Tet began,
Lewey was stationed at the air base at
Na Trang, assigned to aerial delivery.
His unit was on the flight line,
26 www.uaw-chrysler.com

LEFT: MARK KATZMAN; RIGHT: BILL SCHWAB
responsible for air drops of supplies
to troops in the field. “Our base was
hit every night for a while,” Lewey
remembers. “It’s surprising that you
can get used to rockets and mortars
going off all around you. Those
explosions were frequent enough that
we didn’t always seek shelter when
we were supposed to.”
His most vivid memory is going
into the countryside to help evacuate
several units from Pham Thiet. All
the supplies had to be removed so that
the Jeeps, tents, ammo and food
wouldn’t fall into enemy hands.
“There wasn’t much more there than
a beach and a hut,” says Lewey.
For three days, he and his men
worked quickly to get the supplies
and equipment loaded onto planes,
and for three nights they tried to sleep
on the portable runways. “The only
thing I remember feeling was tired,”
Lewey recalls. “A couple of tanks lit
things up at night so we didn’t get
much sleep. But we got everything
out of there.”
In Vietnam, Lewey learned how
important it is for civilians to appreciate
soldiers who’ve served in a war
zone, whether or not they agree with
the reasons for fighting.
Lewey, now co-chair of the UAW
Local 110 Veterans Committee (see
story on page 9), invests a lot of hours
keeping that message of wholehearted
support for our troops out in front of
his co-workers. “We’re doing everything
we can for the troops in Iraq
and Afghanistan,” Lewey says with
emotion in his voice. “It’s kind of
therapeutic for me — sometimes you
feel guilty that you made it home
when 58,000 guys didn’t.” ★
And Remembering
Khe Sanh…
In January 1968, the remote U.S.
outpost of Khe Sanh faced a major
threat. The North Vietnamese were
massing for a full-scale assault, and
American military strategists were
struggling with the difficult decision of
whether to hold the combat base. Even
President Lyndon Johnson, who took
a personal interest in the fate of Khe
Sanh, was involved in the decision not
to retreat. On the night of January 20,
just 10 days before the Tet Offensive swept the country, the awaited
attack on Khe Sanh began with a massive artillery bombardment,
which continued for 48 hours. One of the direct hits was the outpost’s
ammunition supply. The resulting explosion killed 18 men, wounded
40 and destroyed 90 percent of the stored artillery and mortar rounds.
But throughout the battle, the Marines never stopped firing at the
enemy and even conducted patrols.
U.S. Navy hospital corpsman John Cicala, assigned to the 1st Battalion,
26th Marines, Bravo Company, was part of a squad that was
ambushed in February. “I was shot twice in the chest and a hand grenade
took off my kneecap,” recalls Cicala, who was profiled in the 2001
Veterans Day Special Issue. “I was separated from the other two [survivors],
so I dressed my own wounds and started crawling back to base.”
Cicala, who is a maintenance area manager at Detroit Axle, took home
three Purple Hearts and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry.
The pounding assault on Khe Sanh went on for 77 days. In the end,
precision air support made the difference, and the base held. But the
intense struggle for Khe Sanh, combined with the shock of Tet, changed
American public opinion about widening the war, and the decision was
made to abandon the base. “I’ve thought back to that time a lot lately,”
says Cicala. “America’s military is really full of heroes.”
— Karen English
JOHN CICALA
TOMORROW VETERANS DAY 2007 27

“IN VIETNAM, WE HAD ENEMIES ALL
AROUND US, AND I SEE THE SAME THING
HAPPENING IN IRAQ. WE’VE GOT TO
SUPPORT OUR TROOPS THERE.”
ARTHUR BROWN
MACK AVENUE ENGINE II