We'd like to know what you think about
our book and our web site. Please leave your comments in this public guest book
so we can share your thoughts with other visitors.
Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
John Campbell, Author of They Were Ours
Thou I walk through the valley of
death, thou art with me.
From Psalm 23
DEAR SOUP, I HOPE THIS IS AS SATISFYING TO YOU AS IT IS TO ME.
CZ 1ST LT. USMC (RET.)
John, THEY WERE OURS is truly inspirational reading. It not only tells the stories of the young men that we lost, but of the people who remember them, the family members and friends you interviewed said so much that was true about all the young men and women who, like yourself, went off to serve our country. Our father's generation has been called "The Greatest Generation", but I feel that because of this generation's service and what it went through, that it deserves the title of "Our FINEST Generation",and we are poorer for all the lives that were lost. Thank you for your work in writing the book. Chris (a Pitmanite who will always miss everyone of those guys from Gloucester County and wonder about what might have been)
The ultimate mission is now completed for VietNam Vet John Campbell. It just goes to show that the expression "Brothers Forever" is in true form with the writing of this book. It took alot of love for him to take on the challenge of these forty three fellow vets who paid the supreme sacrifice. A job well done, John, and finally "WELCOME HOME"!
A fellow vet: April 1968-April 1969 1st Logistical Command,DaNang Mortuary May 1969- November 1969 6th QterMster Plt., Phu Bai
Sgt. Barry J. Weatherby
Congratulations on a great book. I read it in less than 2 days and believe me I never read anything that quickly. I've just posted a message on my old unit's Association site telling all there what a great book this is. I'll not reproduce this here but check out the message board at www.cacti35th.org Thanks for a your efforts.
Jim "Doc" Hall 2/35th Inf 4th Inf Div Vietnam 1970
JOHN, THIS IS ONE OF A KIND. IREAD IT AND THEN I PUT IT DOWN. AS I SAID BEFORE, POWERFUL READING. I NOW KNOW HOW ALL THE PARENTS FELT. MY SON IS FINISHING UP HIS TEN YEARS. AFTER THAT I DON'T KNOW. WHEN IT WAS TIME FOR FOR HIM TO LEAVE,,HE WAS ALWAYS IN AMERICA NEVER OUT OF THE COUN THE COUNTRY.. WHEN I READ THE DIFFERENT CHAPTERS I CAN SEE WHAT THESE BRAVE GUYS WENT THROUGH. CONGRATULATIONS. ROBERTA BLUM RHODE ISLAND. NOVEMBER 12,2000 12:20 EST MIDNIGHT
Hello I think that this a fine way to remember the men who died over in a war that nobody thinks it was worth it.I my self did two tour's over there,and will always remember what my fellow "LADYS AND YOUNG MEN" who fought,and died for something that they belived in.I was lucky that i was never shot, or hurt in body,but lost something in my mind I still have trouble and a hard time sleeping at nights.Have to sleep with a light on at all times,and still hear people talking,and nobody is around.The gun hangs close by my bed always with in reach. Best Regards:From The Old Critter:Tom Hebert U.S.ARMY ORD. Vietnam Vet:65-66-68-69
My E-Mail is bettytom@gte.net
Although I am not really old enough to remember the Vietnam War (Born in 1970) I was truly saddened yet felt proud to be an American when I read just a few pages of your book. I am a Police officer in Glassboro and work for the brother of one of the brave men you mentioned in your book. (SFC Carl Johnson Glassboro PD) Although I was too young to know what really happened I thank our veterans, from all wars before and after Vietnam for the freedom I enjoy today. I applaud your effort in memorilizing these men. They should never be forgotten. "REMEMBER THE FALLEN"
Ptl. George A. Moore Glassboro Police Department.
Hello,
This is good, so many wars, so many forgotten. I too was drafted into the vietnam war from Pitman NJ,November 1971...lotto # 49. I joined delayed enlistment so I could finish the semester, get 5 d's. I enlisted in the USAF, best thing I thought I should do, it was! I served in the 14th USAF, We were SAC, Stratigec Air Command ....The Largest Fastest Aircraft in the World, the B-52.We ended the war Fall-Winter 1972-1973 "Operation Linebacker 2".I would do it again tonite!
DAFSC 64750, Philip Edgar Beigbeder Pitman High School, Class of 1970
I wish to thank those who have responded to the book with their comments on this Guest Book. Your input and reaction have been overwhelming. These 43 lives DO count and you have shown that these men live in our memories and our hearts. I wish everyone a happy holiday season.
Certainly, J.C. must be commended for his dedication and effort put forth in writing this book. What a terrific amount of personal time went into achieving the final result, "They Were Ours". I don't know how many times I have picked up the book to read, and re-read, chapter-by-chapter, only to end up reminiscing my own brother's final months & days. John, simply, thank you for writing, "They Were Ours". What a tribute it is to the 43 men whose lives were lost....and, to the families left behind! ----a sister of one of the 43!
Dear Mr Campbell, Received a copy of your book on Saturday and it's a touching and fitting history and remembrance to the men of gloucester country and their loss of life for the nation's cause(s). I knew two of them: billy franke and franklin atkinson. Yours is a work that will help give life to my students' classroom study of the war.
For others who have an interest in reading/seeing a first person, personal account of the lives of individuals in the war, i suggest that you rent and view "Dear America: Letters Home from Vietnam." It's all first person script, narrated by celebrities, set against a background of documentary film footage and period popular music. it's an excellent medium for hs students and general audiences alike. I get back to Williamstown annually and trust that I'll get to meet you at some point. Congratulations on your work and thanks for your efforts. Take care, Joe Zellner
enjoyed u'r site a lot... can see this was a labor of love.. well done.. from someone who was there "flag" USN 65-69
DEAR SOUP,
CAN'T WAIT FOR THE SECOND EDITION. wHEN WILL IT BE AVAILABLE ?
CZ
John - I had purchased your book for my husband at the book signing at Anthony's Hallmark in Swedesboro. My husband loved the book and would like to purchase another one for the club he belongs to (The Veitnam Vets MC Club). Could you please tell me where we can get one in this area besides over the internet. My email is cat157@citnet.com. We would like to get it before next Friday. Thanks for the help. Colleen & Tony Sarica
John , A beautiful book written by a beautiful person .
Soup, I knew the book was going to be great before it hit the shelf. You let me read most of the drafts before they were published. It's funny though, I read the drafted chapters without really getting too close or emotional about the hero's in them. I guess I tried to sheild myself from the reality of war and the families that it effected. Then I got to meet many of the families that "lived your book" at the book signing in Pitman. I went home that night and started reading the stories. It became so intenese for me that I had to stop reading for a couple of days. I felt so much for the brave young men and their families. You did an incredible job. This was a story that only you could tell. If the people that read this book only knew the about the guidance you received from the spirits of the young men you wrote about! The guidance could never be considered a coincidence. Maybe that's another book for you to write! I am very proud of you and even more impressed with your love of your brothers.
Your freind. Mike
Hey Soup! GREAT book! I can see why it took so long. Much heart. By the way, thanks for mentioning me as part of your bio..."A part of his unit took part in the Cambodian incursion in May of 1970." That was me (supposed to be classified...ha,ha!). Anyhow, you did good Bro. Hope to see you at the 335th reunion in May 2001.
Ron Palfrey
Hey John, You told me you would be lookin for me entry.I wanted to thank you again for all you help with my report. This site is really neat! and I like being able to get to Dusty's poems easier. Your book has really touched me and I've learned so much. Wars hav always been manco men fighting over land, but I learned that they were were boys first and people too.thank you. ummm, could you give me Rose Grants' fax so i can send her my report becuase she wanted to see it too. well i have to go. good luck with eveything and hope to see you soon
~Rachael~
my email is dancing_angel44@hotmai.com
Hey John, You told me you would be lookin for me entry.I wanted to thank you again for all you help with my report. This site is really neat! and I like being able to get to Dusty's poems easier. Your book has really touched me and I've learned so much. Wars have always been manco men fighting over land, but I learned that they were were boys first and people too.thank you. ummm, could you give me Rose Grants' fax so i can send her my report becuase she wanted to see it too. well i have to go. good luck with eveything and hope to see you soon
~Rachael~
my email is dancing_angel44@hotmai.com
Hey John, You told me you would be lookin for my entry.I wanted to thank you again for all you help with my report. This site is really neat! and I like being able to get to Dusty's poems easier. Your book has really touched me and I've learned so much. Wars have always been manco men fighting over land, but I learned that they were were boys first and people too.thank you. ummm, could you give me Rose Grants' fax so i can send her my report becuase she wanted to see it too. well i have to go. good luck with eveything and hope to see you soon
~Rachael~
my email is dancing_angel44@hotmai.com
Mr.Campbell, My name is Sandra Hagelstein Field. You wrote about my Uncle Jimmy (my fathers brother in your book. I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for taking the time and energy to write this wonderful tribute to the soldiers in the county who died in the war. My email is dixie143@yahoo.com if you wish to contact me. sandra field
Hi John, I finally got through to your site---it's awesome! Hope the book is continuing its remarkable run. Let me know about your upcoming signings, etc. See you at next month's Pen-In_Hand. All the best. Darlene Jacobson
John- Ordering your book. Web site Great. We need to pass the stories of our fellow members telling of their commitment and devotion to our Country. Our Country called and they responded, that needs to be remembered and past on to new generations especially about those who have paid the supreme sacrifice (God Bless Them). There was a job to be done and it was done. God Bless. Welcome Home Brother's and Sister's.
Phil Wien USAF/R 1970 - 1975 Aircraft Loadmaster USN 1975 - 1981 Electronic Warefare
John What a wonderful and profound way to remember the 43 from Gloucester County. This book made me laugh and cry but it also made me aware of the sacrifices everyone made during those awful times. They Were Ours should be required reading in every high school and college history class. One cannot read these stories without feeling the loss and a deeper understanding of those who were sent to Vietnam in our names. Thank you so much for writing this beautiful memorial to our heroes.
Just found your site today. Powerful!! Can't wait to get my copy. Six of the guys were friends - four from childhood. Your contribution is appreciated, as was your service. Thanks
I am not one to say much...but I would love to read this book. I am a war drawn boy....and I wanted to fight in this war because so many people like my friend soup have and my father was there and my moms friend was there.
DEAR SOUP, THANK YOU FOR A WONDERFUL BOOK. IT HAS HELPED ME TO DEAL WITH THE LOSS OF MY BROTHER. I NOW KNOW THAT OTHER SISTERS AND BROTHERS HAVE THE SAME FEELINGS I DO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR CORRESPONDENCE AND HELPING ME AS WELL AS OTHERS DEAL WITH A TERRIBLE LOSS IN OUR LIVES. SINCERELY YOUR FRIEND SHARON(MILAN)COLSON
Mr.John Campbell: I have heard about your book from the musings of The Gloucester County Times, and from Mr. Shryock, an always-there kind of guy. I intend to be in the March 28th crowd at the college to hear the readings as described in the Times. I shall seek you out, should you have time, and purchase a copy on-site, if possible. I was one of the fortunate ones. I came home from 'Nam after serving with Fco.LRP/50thInf/25th INF.DIV in 1968 and with the 75thRanger Regt. and Eco./2/12thcombined Recon and Intel Platoon,25th Inf.Div, in 1969.Served in Cu Chi and Trang Bang, Vietnam, and spent some glorious time in Nha Trang with the MACV/SF/RECONDO also in '69.Although I am a 100%disabled veteran, I have all, or most of, my faculty's and am the appointed Ranger Advocate for the 75th Ranger Regt.Association, reaching out to help others that also came home, but have troubles adapting.Airborne Ranger,SF,Dan Nate.dannate1@home.com.408 Elm Avenue, Woodbury Heights, NJ 08097. Please contact me for any help I may provide you or OURS. Thank you very much.
Mr Campbell, I had the pleasure of meeting you last week at the Deptford Mall. I am about a 1/4 of the way through your book. If is amamazing. I am 32 years old and the Vietnam war was never covered in any of my history classes. I feel high school and college teachers should use your book to give people a feel for what went on. It is a disgrace that this county did not back up the men and boys that they sent to Vietnam. Thank you so much for writing this book. Kerri Casey
Just read your book. I was St. Pat's / Woodbury High ('60) / Vietnam grunt 68-69, Brinze Star and Purple Heart, so it fit. I guess I knew people from home went too, and some were lost, but I never thought to look over my shoulder and think about what we shared there instead of what my friends in Vietnam shared together. Woodbury to me was like something I dreamed or saw in a movie after that, and was lost there like Camelot or something. Your book brought it all back, Bell lake with the fire dapartment putting on a fresh coat of water for the skaters, Hunter hill for sledding, the store windows being painted for a Halloween parade, the Rialto and Wood theaters, 2 cowboy movies and a serial for 14 cents on Saturday, "Knowledge is Power" over the entrance to WHS, and about a thousand other sights and sounds. I met a lot of guys, and found out we were all the same,wherever we were from, and we'll always will be. But to read and think about guys who had the exact same experiences I did was something special. I played on Jackson St. too, and swam at Almonesson, and West End School playground, and fell in love with high school girls from Columbia Ave. and Evergreen Ave., and caddied at the golf course, and learned that I belonged somewhere. I want to pass on to the families that wherever they were over there, they were with friends who loved them. Believe me, not one day goes by without someone they were with thinking about them, I know. I want to thank you for the book. For thirty years, there has been a gap between "before" and "after". I would reach back sometimes in my mind, and try to feel that I still belonged to somewhere, but it was still out of reach. As I read your book, it's like I reached back and finally touched my town. From all the grunts, thanks.
This book was a beautiful idea. Thank you so much for writing it and for enclosing here on this site pictures of the guys and some of their writings. I particularly loved the poem by Mr. Vause given to his parents. Simply beautiful and I will never forget.
Thank you for sharing these things with the me and with the public in general. We shared some private moments with the guys and I now know so much more about them and respect them all that much more. I thank them and you for your service to our country and to the American people. I was there for all military, and will be there until the day I die as well. God bless you and the memory of our military personnel. SwtLittleSuzie@aol.com NewJersey
John, another person not mentioned is Lawrence Frank Lubonski, PFC, DOB 28Sep67, 196th Light Inf BDE. KIA 27Feb68. "Larry" attended Washington township High School. He entered the Army with a HOR of Collingswood, NJ, although a resident of washington Township.
HWW