NEMO Re-dedication Ceremony April 25, 2014 Lackland AFB, San

36 Pages·2014·3.44 MB·English

by  Brian Ritscher

A Publication of the Vietnam July 1, 2014 Late Spring 2014 Issue
Security Police Association
NEMO Re-dedication Ceremony April 25, 2014
Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX
Pictured Below: Nemo’s New Home at Lackland AFB,
Adjacent to the Security Forces Museum

Photo credits front page Ken Neal Nemo story begins on page 18
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W e l c President’s Corner 2
By Pete Piazza, President VSPA

William (Pete) Piazza – LM #141
Cam Ranh Bay AB 1966
Bien Hoa AB 1967-68
Phu Cat AB 1970-71

Photo of President Pete Piazza courtesy of
Ken Neal, VSPA Photographer
We are almost ready to have our 2014 Reunion in Shreveport, LA. The Reunion BRAT has
worked on the issue of the hotel, and we are slowly getting all our ducks in a row to have a great
time by one and all when we meet from 8-12 October 2014. If you have not called to make a
reservation for your hotel room, you better get on the ball and make that call (1-800-465-4329) or
the direct hotel number (1-318-688-3000).
Something that will be a little different this time around is that we are not planning to have a
tour of the city or sites in and around Shreveport or Bossier City, Louisiana on Thursday. You ask
why not? One reason is the cost to get the buses, plus the time spent most of that one day traveling
around the city. I think it could be more fun for everyone to just hang out together at the hotel or
even go on small group tours like many members did in Charleston, SC. Another reason for this is
that we have folks who are planning to hold a mini-reunion and there are some other members who
do not want to go on tours, but to meet with friends and comrades and just spend time together
without getting on and off a bus all day.
Elections for the VSPA Board of Directors will be held this year as we do every two years;
however, I will not be running for president again. When I ran for president, I said that I would do
the two years left from Past President Phil Carroll’s time and that would be all for me. It is also a
promise I made to my wife. I can say that I started off on shaky ground way back in 2012 with
open heart surgery, but with the help of the VSPA Officers we came together and had a great time
in Charleston, SC and are looking to have another great time in Shreveport, too.
If you would like to run for office in the VSPA, the information about the election and a call
for bios and photos is in this issue. If you have questions, please contact me so that we can get the
information out to the membership in the next issue of Guardmount for mail-in ballots, or for those
attending the reunion who would like to vote at the October 2014 Reunion. Our VSPA Historian,
Kelly Bateman, has stated that he will retire as the Historian this year. So we are also looking for
someone to take over that position.
One last thought: I hope everyone will have a great time in Shreveport/Bossier City. If you
have never attended one of our reunions, please come together to enjoy the company of each other
and the very special ladies of the VSPA Sisterhood. Please remember our VSPA brothers and the
members of the VSPA Sisterhood who will not be with us because they have passed away since our
last reunion.

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Story reprinted with the permission of USAF “Tinker Take Off”, staff reporter
Kimberly Woodruff.
PIAZZA
5/22/2014 - TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- One of the Air 3
Force's most decorated Security Forces individuals was
honored May 15 during a gate dedication ceremony.
GATE 31

On the day known as National Police Memorial Day, Tinker's
Gate 31 was unveiled as "Piazza Gate," named for retired Senior Master
Sgt. Pete Piazza.
"This is a very special day -- a gate with my name on it is very special, and it belongs to all
defenders, past, present and future," said Sergeant Piazza. "Without a defender at the gate, no one on base
would be safe. So, for all you defenders, I appreciate you."
Col. Christopher Azzano, 72nd Air Base Wing and Tinker installation commander, said those who
know Sergeant Piazza can vouch for his humble nature. "I'm pretty sure he's a little uncomfortable having
this attention focused on him," Colonel Azzano said. "In fact, Pete has dedicated his life to focusing the
attention on other Airmen, our defenders in particular."
The colonel said Sergeant Piazza advocates for all past, present and future Security Forces
members across Oklahoma through his active leadership in the Air Force Security Forces Association.
Sergeant Piazza was elected to the Association's Hall of Fame in 2011. He also remains active as the
president of the Vietnam Security Police Association, and was awarded the Warrior Medal of Valor in
2009. "It is no exaggeration to say Senior Master Sgt. Pete Piazza is an Air Force icon, an American
hero in the truest sense of the word in a time when that word is used too frequently to describe people
who have not met Pete's standard of service," said Colonel Azzano. "It's an honor to know the real deal."
Sergeant Piazza earned the Silver Star for gallantry in action Jan. 31, 1968, during his Vietnam
tour at Bien Hoa Air Base.
The citation for the Silver Star presented to Sergeant Piazza by Gen. William Momyer summed it
up: "An untold number of lives and literally hundreds of millions of dollars of aircraft and other materiel
had been saved through the gallant defense of the base, led at Bunker Hill 10 by Sergeant Piazza."
Then-Staff Sergeant Piazza resupplied bunker defenders with ammunition while under a heavy
barrage of gunfire. He assumed command and led an eight hour counter attack.
"It's with great pleasure that we recognize and honor an Air Force trailblazer, and there is no better
way to recognize a 'sky cop' than by dedicating Gate 31 in his name," said Col. Frank Reyes, 72nd
Security Forces Squadron commander. "Pete is a humble man who seeks no special attention. He
dedicates himself to our Air Force and continues still to teach and mentor young Airmen."
Retired Col. Ed Johnson, a longtime
Photo courtesy USAF photographer Kelly White
friend of Sergeant Piazza, sent Colonel
Reyes an email because he was unable to
attend the ceremony. Colonel Johnson was
the 3rd Security Police commander at Bien
Hoa Air Base just after Sergeant Piazza was
there in 1968. "The area where the attack
happened was always on my mind," said
Colonel Johnson. "While we suffered losses
in that battle, it was successful due largely in
part to Senior Master Sergeant Piazza," he
said. "He is a true Air Force hero and well
deserving of this honor. I am proud to know
him."
Colonel Reyes said though the battle
at Bien Hoa is relatively unknown and missing from history books, "the battle is forever part of Tinker
AFB, Security Forces doctrine and will never be forgotten. Senior Master Sergeant Piazza defines the
badge and beret that the defenders wear, and what better way to say 'thank you for your service' than to
honor him with a gate bearing his name for all to see," Colonel Reyes said. 3
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PHOTO AND COMMENTS BY WALT KULA….”Got to
take my top 4 AF JROTC cadets with me to the SMSgr (Ret)
William Piazza Gate Dedication Ceremony at Tinker AFB this
morning (new gate from old GM to Tinker). It is very rare to
have a military facility/road, etc...named after a living person.
SMSgt Piazza received the Silver Star for his actions defending
Bien Hoa AB on 31 Jan 1968 He has been very active with
Security Forces in Oklahoma and is a good friend.”
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A MESSAGE FROM JANET PARKER,

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CHAIR OF THE WARRIORS MEDAL OF
VALOR COMMITTEE, TO THE 2013
RECIPIENTS OF THE WARRIORS
MEDAL OF VALOR:

Congratulations to the 2013 recipients of the Warriors’ Medal
of Valor. Sarge would be proud to have you included in this
special group. For the new members of the VSPA, be assured that Sarge
would seek you out just so he could say, “Welcome Home, Welcome to the VSPA.” Not all
of you had the chance to meet Sarge, though I hope you have heard about him.
Alvin W. Matthews, MSgt, USAF retired, served in the 483rd Security Police Squadron
at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base in the Republic of Vietnam from January 1971 to January 1972.
He was an instructor at the Security Police Academy before he retired from the Air Force in
1980. Afterwards, he enjoyed a career as a marine mechanic for various boat dealers in our
hometown of Scottsboro, Alabama. He found the VSPA on the Internet and like many of you,
he kind of watched from a distance before deciding to join or attend a reunion. It is an honor to
say that he is Life Member #127. Sarge posted his last Guardmount on January 4, 2008, his
66th birthday. His resting place is plot number 111 at Cedar Hill Cemetery, Scottsboro,
Alabama, a plot he specifically selected to honor his Brothers.
We officially donned him “Sarge” at the Valdosta Reunion in 2005. A young Security
Forces Defender, Jacob Barr, really took up with him. Jacob asked me what he should call my
Daddy. He was not comfortable with Mr. Matthews or Alvin. I told Jacob, “Just call him
Sarge” and the rest is history.
I could regale you for hours about the VSPA, Sarge, Reunions, and your wonderful
brotherhood, all of the wonderful memories that show why we love him so. How many of you
remember the firm handshake and heartfelt “Welcome Home”? He would have liked to have
offered that “Welcome Home” to all 1,200 members of the VSPA.
Do you remember that contagious grin and laugh that came from his soul? Bill
Cummings, do you remember the first time he hollered, “HEEL”? Steve Gattis, do you
remember when you learned that you were Cam Ranh Bay brothers? Jerry Nelson, do you
remember why you made the commitment to the VSPA? Richard Holstein, I know you have a
particularly special memory. We have some wonderful memories of our Sarge. I am so glad
that he found the VSPA. He loved this association, he loved his Brothers, and I know he is
proud of the continued commitment and growth.
Sarge would definitely tear up at the thought that you continue his dream of honoring
his VSPA Brothers with this medal. Thank you is not enough. You fill my heart when you
honor our Sarge and by sharing happy memories of one of our great defenders.

DEFENSOR FORTIS
WOOF, HUGS & WELCOME HOME

Janet “Sparkplug” Matthews Parker, Mama & Sarge
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RECIPIENTS OF THE WARRIORS MEDAL OF VALOR, 20 61 3

1976 photo courtesy of Gladys Barto

Ben Barto - Deceased. Ben retired as a SMSgt and served at
Pleiku where he received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart.
He was VSPA Life Member #1. Ben’s wife, Gladys, is a
member of the VSPA Sisterhood and attended reunions with
Ben. She has continued to attend reunions since his death. She
donated Ben's bloody flak vest to the 633rd heritage room at
Langley AFB that was built by our guest speaker, then
commander Lt Col Foley, to maintain the history of the
Security Police and the men of the 633rd SP Squadron at
Pleiku Air Base and at Langley Air Force Base. The award was
presented to Ben’s wife, Gladys.

photo courtesy of Tony Morris

Lew Goldberg - Lew was a career Security Policeman
and retired from the Air Force as a Tech Sgt. He has been
very active in the VSPA as the very first squadron liaison
and continues in that role as squadron liaison with the
troops who served at Binh Thuy. He has located and
recruited numerous members for the VSPA and has
maintained a Binh Thuy contact network that has been of
great value to our presidents and vital to increasing
attendance at our reunions. The Binh Thuy network
maintains contact with Mom Lehman whose son, Millard
Lehman, was KIA at Binh Thuy. Lew has continued in his role as Binh Thuy liaison in spite of
on-going health problems and his life-threatening bout with throat cancer.

Pat Dunne - Pat has been very active within the VSPA and
has been our direct representative with the family of
Elizabeth Jacobsen, the first Security Forces Defender KIA
in Iraq, a relationship that he continues to maintain. He
assists with the All Veterans Reunion in Melbourne, Florida
every year and sets up a booth to attract Air Police, Security
Police Veterans as well as current Security Forces troops
who are stationed at Patrick AFB and other Florida bases.
Pat is very active in Veterans activities with the Seminole
Tribe and has provided the VSPA with information from
the tribe regarding the Native American Indian Memorial
proposal in Washington, D.C. that we approved in our

photo courtesy of Tony Morris business meeting. He has participated in the Color Guard
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f or Veterans funerals and parades to commemorate our service in Vietnam and Thailand 7. He
tr aveled to Langley AFB twice with VSPA member Steve Shelt to meet with the troops assigned

to the 633rd Security Forces Squadron, which was their squadron at Pleiku Air Base. He

maintained contact with Lt Col Scott Foley, the commander of the 633rd while he was in

Afghanistan, and recommended him as our guest speaker for this reunion.

photo courtesy of Tony Morris

Steve Shelt - Steve served at Pleiku then carried his
knowledge and experience into the Army where he was an MP
for an additional eight years and led executive protection
missions in Germany and Beirut, Lebanon. He left the Army
and entered the Federal Protective Services for the Department
of the Army and the Department of Energy where he
eventually retired. He has been active within the VSPA and
has assisted in the presentation of our history to the troops
assigned to the 633rd SFS at Langley AFB. He traveled to
Langley AFB twice with VSPA member Pat Dunne to meet
with the troops assigned to the 633rd Security Forces
Squadron, which was their squadron at Pleiku Air Base. He
maintained contact with Lt Col Scott Foley, the commander of
the 633rd while he was in Afghanistan, and recommended him as our guest speaker for this
reunion. At the request of Lt Col Foley, Steve spoke for 1-1/2 hours to the 633rd troops regarding
our history and his personal experience in Vietnam as well as the lessons learned that he has
passed on to others through his training and experience in the Air Force, Army and Federal
service.

Hector Ramos - Hector served at Binh Thuy Air Base. He served as our Vice President from
2004 to 2010. He did an outstanding job and was in charge of the planning committee for the 2007
Parade in Washington, D.C. Years before Hector joined the
VSPA, he had a letter published in the book "Letters Home
from Vietnam." That letter was read by Erlyce Pekas and she
contacted him through the publisher. They corresponded but
lost contact. However, Hector was able to locate Erlyce again
before our 2004 Reunion, and is the sole person who is
directly responsible for locating and introducing Mom
Lehman and Erlyce Pekas to the VSPA, and then helping to
plan the graveside memorial for Millard in 2004. Hector has
consistently maintained contact with Mom and Erlyce,
making them feel welcome at every reunion we have held
since 2004. This reunion will be the 10th consecutive reunion
for Mom and Erlyce due to the personal contact and effort of
Hector. photo courtesy of Tony Morris
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A Father’s Legacy…
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by Janet “Sparkplug” Parker
 Editor’s note: Janet, Sisterhood Vice President and daughter of Sgt. Al Matthews, USAF and
VSPA LM#127, (1942—2008) has been a contributing writer at GM for over three years. In
this issue, in her 12th article, Janet discusses her plans for “Sarge’s Café, Inc.”

With Father’s Day having recently gone by, I wanted to share with you a
legacy about a man who lived the VSPA motto “We take care of our own”. You may have seen the VSPA
plaque in the hospitality room at a VSPA reunion that dedicates the hospitality room to the memory of
Sarge. He took the VSPA motto to heart and shared it in all aspects of his life, especially during reunions
where he provided pulled pork BBQ for his VSPA brothers and sisters as they gathered in the hospitality
room. Some of you knew my Daddy and shared first-hand knowledge of his great food and war stories.
For our new members, I hope this will help you know my Father.
We call him Sarge. I call him Daddy, Hero, Friend. Some of my best conversations with him were
when we hung out at the grill, cooking, having a cold beer and just being together. He was our first
recipient of the Warriors Medal of Valor and is VSPA Life Member 127, MSgt. Alvin W. Matthews USAF
(Retired), 483rd SPS Cam Ranh Bay, RVN 1971-1972. He posted his final Guardmount on January 4,
2008. It was a shock to all of us. Mama and I were devastated. His grave number in the cemetery where
he rests is #111 in honor of his brothers who did not survive the war in Vietnam and Thailand.
Six years and almost 6 months later, the shock is still with us. Heroes don’t die. Not a day goes by
that we don’t think of Sarge. He was all Air Force, all Security Policeman. He was my security policeman.
When he died, the world no longer felt safe to me but his VSPA brothers and sisters took good care of me
and Mama.
That being said, I want you to know what he left here, for us. Sarge’s heart was at least the size of
Texas and he loved the VSPA. Lucky for us he was a great cook and he loved the joy of cooking and
providing for others. His piece de la resistance was his pulled pork barbeque. I know some of you can still
smell and taste that hickory flavor that he provided at every reunion, from 2004 to 2007. He shared that
delight with his VSPA brothers and sisters in our hospitality room, always giving from the heart (with a
war story or two). Maybe you stood in line for a portion of his masterpiece. I know we remember the big
smile on his face as he served each plate. Some of you have told me you saw how happy he was serving
others and that you recognized his generosity.
What he shared with the VSPA was just a sample of his generosity. Family gatherings with him
were feasts. If you left Sarge’s table hungry, that was your choice. He also grilled and smoked pork, ham
and fried turkeys for friends and neighbors. He gave with his whole heart. What Sarge did, he did full
throttle, something that I was able to witness as the grill master’s assistant, helping him with the pulling
and packing of barbeque for VSPA reunions and other events.
For the past year or so, I have become keenly aware of the food insecurity felt by school children
here in the area around Birmingham, Alabama. I know this is a problem nationwide, not just locally. At
times like this, I often ask “what would Sarge do?” The answer in this case was simple…you feed them.
While I don’t have his talent for pulled pork, I know how to contact people and put things together. That
was the start of a dream that I shared with Mama. A dream she shares and has given her full support. We
have established a non-profit organization aptly named “Sarge’s Café, Inc.”. Our goal is to provide meals
and non-perishable food for school children who don’t have enough at home and may depend on the
breakfast and lunch programs in their schools. But what happens on the weekend and other times when

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School is not in session? Many times they do without. I know that would not be acceptable to
Sarge.
The first mission of Sarge’s Café is this July 14 through July 17, when we will provide
lunches for up to 80 students and volunteers during a summer day camp at Restoration
Academy in Fairfield, Alabama. Restoration Academy is a private Christian school in the inner
city. All of their students attend on privately funded scholarships. I have been to Restoration
Academy and have seen these wonderful children. They are thriving and receiving an excellent
education. The graduation rate for this school is 100%.
Our second mission is to establish a food bank for Restoration Academy students and
their families. The school does not have a lunch room so each child must bring their own lunch.
In cases when they don’t have a lunch or forgot their lunch, we want to be sure that the school
has something for them. We would also like for the children who are in need to have something
on the weekend and have the ability to take food home for the family. This would be non-
perishable food items.
Sarge’s Café is currently working with One to One Personal Training and a very kind
gentleman from Briarwood Academy, Scott Hannah, who coordinates the summer camps, to
complete these two missions. We are collecting loose change and kid friendly, non-perishable
foods from friends and coworkers. I am also planning to raffle a basket of Alabama products
and memorabilia from local businesses and artists.
If you would like to help perpetuate Sarge’s legacy, your contributions will honor him
and will go directly to support our mission. Sarge’s Café will not have any paid employees and
we should have our 501(c)(3) number soon. Our address is: Sarge’s Café, Inc., 332 County
Road 626, Section, Alabama 35771 or you can contact me on the VSPA bulletin board. Feel
free to call me at 205-602-8522 or email [email protected] if you have any questions.
I hope when you remember Sarge, you remember his laugh, his smile, his firm
handshake, his heartfelt “Welcome Home”, and how he sought out new members at the
Reunions so he could be sure they got their “Welcome Home”. I know I will never forget any
of that, his heart, how he loved his family, his Air Force and his country and his brothers and
sisters in the VSPA. Service came naturally for him and now it is my turn to continue his legacy
and pay it forward as we continue to “take care of our own”

Welcome Home, Brothers.

HUGS,

SARGE’S
Janet

CAFÉ, INC.
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The Warriors Medal of Valor
Request for Nominations

We are very fortunate to have the honor of presenting
The Warriors Medal of Valor of the Native American Nations
of the United States of America to VSPA members chosen by
their brothers. The medal was created and designed by Native
American Chief Tall Eagle who served in the Air Force in Vietnam. This VSPA
tradition was initiated and made possible by VSPA Life Member #127, MSgt Alvin
“SARGE” Matthews (Ret.). MSgt Matthews was also the first Chairman of the VSPA
Committee for the selection and presentation of the Warriors Medal of Valor in 2006.
Sarge received his Medal at the Powwow of the Cherokee Nation in Jackson County,
Alabama in October 2004. Continued presentation of the Warriors Medal of Valor has
been approved by a tribal council and is now made in loving memory of our Sarge as
well as through the generous donations of the VSPA Brotherhood. I am honored to
continue as Chair of the Nominations Committee.
Sarge and the Nominations Committee established the following criteria for
consideration: The nominee must be a member in good standing of the VSPA plus
any one or combination of the following:
a. Valor (recognized or unrecognized by the Air Force) for service as an Air
Policeman, Security Policeman or Augmentee in Vietnam or Thailand.
b. Outstanding service to the members of the Vietnam Security Police Association.
c. Outstanding service to the military and/or Veterans.
You may submit the nomination by including his name and your justification
for why this member deserves the medal. Please include as many details on his
service as you can. Nominations must be submitted to me at the following email
address: [email protected] no later than August 15, 2014. The Warriors
Medal selection committee will receive nominations for the award until August 15.
The committee must have time to review the nominations, make the selections,
engrave the medals and prepare the certificates. The medals and certificates will be
presented at the VPSA Reunion Banquet in October.

Thank you for your service and WELCOME HOME.
Janet Matthews-Parker, Daughter of VSPA Life Member #127
VSPA Warrior Medal Nominations Committee Chair
[email protected]
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