Motherwit's Lesson in Latin
Retired Gunny Sargeant Anthony L. Hamric
November 24, 1939 ~ June 27, 1999
Beloved Husband, Son, Father, Brother, Uncle, Nephew
Passed On to God's Army on June 27, 1999
Let the Unrighteous be Forewarned!!!
Latin. always faithful: motto of the U.S. Marine Corps
My Big BrotherWhen I was just a little girl And my hair just had but one small curl I was loved and adored by someone who would carry a sword. He was my hero, even then, you see For he meant all the world to me In my eyes, there was no other In the world like my big brother. As he grew up, straight and tall He did hear his country call. He was just a boy, but then they sent him someplace near Phnom Penh. I was still too young to know Just how much he'd have to grow Into a man that could never be An innocent child again with me. So, I went about my rebellious youth, seeking "justice" and "the truth", while all the time, my big brother, lived a Hell like no other. While I was wearing beads of "Peace", my brother was learning Vietnamese; it was required, you understand, for he was in this Hell called Viet Nam. To be sent home, was his dream, at nights when he heard his buddies scream. But, he held tight to his love for me so that I could be forever free. This time has come and gone, and yet this is a nightmare I can't forget. For though my brother came home at last there is a wall I can't get past. He carries it with him wherever he goes and the Hell he lived, only he knows. For it is something he will not share, for to him it would be like taking me there.  When I was just a little girl And my hair just had but one small curl I was loved and adored by someone who would carry a sword. He was my hero, even then, you see For he meant all the world to me In my eyes, there was no other In the world like my big brother. But, now that I am a grandmother my love for him, still, is like no other, For I have a grandson that is loved and adored, and I pray that he will never carry that sword. For although, my brother did come home, he, like so many others, felt all alone. There was no honor, no parade, no glory, And no one who wanted to hear their story. So, brushed aside, they struggled to find why there are those still left behind. They struggle to speak about it, yet, But, they're in a country that wants to forget. This Poem Is Dedicated To My Oldest Big Brother Retired Gunny Sargeant Anthony L. Hamric U.S.M.C. 1956 ~ 1976 To My Adopted Brother PFC Thomas M. Hanratty (crew chief) United States Marine Corps Start of Tour: Sunday, June 11, 1967 Date of Casualty: Sunday, June 11, 1967 Age at time of loss: 20. And To All Of My Other Brothers Who Have Not Returned Home Yet Written By Bexboomer April 24, 1998 ©1998~2001 Bexboomer Creations All Rights Reserved |
My Adopted Brother HANRATTY, THOMAS MICHAELName: Thomas Michael Hanratty Rank/Branch: E2/US Marine Corps Unit: HMM 265, Marine Air Group 16 Date of Birth: 19 June 1946 Home City of Record: Beulah CO Date of Loss: 11 June 1967 Country of Loss: South Vietnam Loss Coordinates: 165454N 1065530E (YD048689) Status (in 1973): Killed In Action/Body Not Recovered Category: 2 Acft/Vehicle/Ground: CH46A Other Personnel In Incident:
Charles D. Chomel; John J. Foley; Jose J. Gonzales; Curtis R. Bohlscheid; Michael W. Havranek; James W. Kooi, Jim E. Moshier; John S. Oldham; James E. Widener (all missing) Source: Compiled by Homecoming II Project 15 June 1990 from one or more of the following:
correspondence with POW/MIA families, published sources, interviews. REMARKS: A/C CRASH-EXPLODED-NO SURVS OBS-J SYNOPSIS: On 11 June 1967, CAPT Curtis Bohlscheid was the pilot of a CH46A helicopter inserting the seven-man Marine Battalion Recon team (Summersail One) into a predesignated area 11 1/2 nautical miles northwest of Dong Ha, South Vietnam -- right on the (DMZ) Demilitarized Zone . A total of four aircraft were involved in the mission, two CH46's (from HMM-265) and two UH1E helicopter gunships (from VMO-2). Bohlscheid flew[as Helicopter Aircraft Commander] of the lead aircraft (EP-158). His crew included MAJ John S. Oldham (copilot), PFC Thomas M. Hanratty (crew chief) and LCPL Jose J. Gonzales (gunner). Members of the 3rd Recon Company, 3rd Recon Battalion, 3rd Marine Division who were being inserted were CPL Jim E. Moshier, LCPL Dennis R. Christie, LCPL John J. Foley III, LCPL Michael W. Havranek, LCPL James W. Kooi, PFC Charles D. Chomel, and PFC James E. Widener. The flight departed Dong Ha at about 11:15 a.m. and proceeded to the insertion location. The gunships made low strafing runs over the landing zone to clear booby traps and to locate any enemy troops in the area. No enemy fire was received and no activity was observed. The lead aircraft then began its approach to the landing zone. At an estimated altitude of 400-600 feet, the helicopter was observed to climb erratically, similar to an aircraft commencing a loop. Machinegunmen had been waiting for the opportune time to fire on the aircraft. Portions of the rear blades were seen to separate from the aircraft and a radio transmission was received from the aircraft indicating that it had been hit. The helicopter became inverted and continued out of control until it was seen to crash by a stream in a steep ravine. Subsequent efforts by ground units to reach the crash area failed due to a heavy bunker complex surrounding the site. The ground units inspected the site from within 500 meters through binoculars and observed no survivors. All eleven personnel aboard the helicopter were therefore classified Killed In Action, Body Not Recovered. Other USMC records indicate that the helicopter also burst into flames just prior to impacting the ground. For the crew of the CH46A lost on June 11, 1967, death seems a certainty. For hundreds of others, however, simple answers are not possible. Adding to the torment of nearly 10,000 reports relating to Americans missing in Southeast Asia is the certain knowledge that some Americans who were known to be prisoners of war were not released at the end of the war. Others were suspected to be prisoners, and still others were in radio contact with would-be rescuers when last seen alive. Many were known to have survived their loss incidents, only to disappear without a trace. The problem of Americans still missing torments not only the families of those who are missing, but the men who fought by their sides, and those in the general public who realize the full implication of leaving men unaccounted for at the end of a war. Tragically, many authorities believe there are hundreds of Americans still alive in captivity in Southeast Asia today. What must they be thinking of us? What will our next generation say if called to fight if we are unable to bring these men home from Southeast Asia? Many thanks goes to: Al Barbour Historian USMC/Vietnam Helicopter Association [email protected] www.popasmoke.com for his help in updating the accuracy of this account. Thank you PopaSmoke!  |
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This is Beulah, Colorado,
where Pfc Thomas Michael Hanratty's family and friends
are still waiting for him to come home.
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