Rogue Valley Chapter 156 News

Newsletter of Rogue Valley Veterans for Peace Chapter 156

From the national VFP website:

Brothers and Sisters,

It is not an exaggeration that in a few short days, one of the most potentially significant events regarding our future on this planet will begin. That event is of course, Stop the Machine! Create a New World! beginning October 6th in Freedom Plaza in Washington, DC (and in Ashland Plaza in Ashland, OR). This is more than an event, it is a wave of stand up, take space, human resistance to corporate state greed and violence - a wave that is sweeping the world and has now come to the U.S. I'm proud that Veterans For Peace activists have been centrally involved in the intense organizing going on these last 6 months. Also grateful that many other veterans and VFP associate members are planning on attending sometime during the days of non-violent occupation in October. Many of us have responded to the call put out for peacekeeper and will be at the training on October 5th.

(For more info, see: http://rogueimc.org/en/2011/09/17547.shtml

(Editor’s note:  Dan Davis is an extraordinary man having been successful in several careers and a decorated officer in the Vietnam War.  He also has a wry sense of humor, which you’ll appreciate as you read this profile.  Thanks, Dan!)

Dan Davis speaks his peace!

1.   Where were you born and raised?  Describe your life before the military.

I was born 2 April 1943 in Kansas City, Mo.  I grew up with both poor, but loving vagabond parents in (chronologically) Overland Park, KS; L.A.; Overland Park; San Diego; Swisshome, OR; Deadwood, OR; Mapleton, OR; and Fulton, MO, where I attended both high School and college (Westminster College).  I got a degree in Math (I know- ugh) and Physics. We lived in 20 to 22 (?) different houses in the 18 years I lived with my folks.  So, it is a good thing I had reasonable stability with my family of origin.

2.   When were you inducted? what service?  Describe how and why you went into the military.

I entered the Army in August 1965 via ROTC in the RA (Regular Army – as opposed to Reserve) and went to jump school since I was terrified of heights.  I went into Air Defense Artillery (ADA) (Nike missiles and NORAD) until the Army decided I should spend a bit of hard time in Viet Nam in the year of our LBJ, 1968. Why? -  Because I watched Vic Morrow’s “Combat” on TV too much and my brain was mush.

3.   How long were you in the military?  Did you consider re-enlisting?  What was your rank upon discharge?

I was in almost 4.5 years, and though my gung-ho self originally thought of a career, I finally wised up (to put it in the most positive light possible).  I was a Captain right after arriving in Viet Nam in mid-January 1968, which barely saved me from being a cannon guider and fodder forward observer (F.O.).

4.   What outfit were you with?  Describe your experiences.

I was first assigned to the 101^st Airborne Division and because they couldn’t make me an F.O. and I had gone to Civil Affairs school they made me an S-5. Having survived the Tet Offensive at end of January, first part of February ’68 “almost” in Cambodia, I was shipped to Hue/Phu Bai where I worked with the Vietnamese to rebuild an orphanage (we?) had leveled during Tet.

I was only shot at a couple of times, so it was probably safer than college times.

Anyway, our brilliant strategists and (wise old men) decided we should do “Vietnamization” and train the Vietnamese how to fight – since they had only successfully repelled invaders for centuries.  (This sounds vaguely familiar and current.) We were so much smarter. (Editor’s note:  Do I detect a little sarcasm here?)

Now, I was creating very little mayhem and maybe the opposite, so I got assigned to an Infantry position as a Mobile Advisory Team (MATS) Commander.  Since I had seen combat on Vic Morrow’s TV program, I was highly skilled in military tactics, so it only made sense.  We ended up advising a Regional Forces (RF) battalion in Trung Lap Village of the Cu Chi District, which it turns out was the hub of the Viet Cong/NVA tunnel system in the country (ref: The Tunnels of Cu Chi, by Mangold and Penycate). I am certain that is why we were not attacked more, since the VC did not normally try to draw attention to themselves, except to harass.

5.   Were you wounded?  Have any residual effects?  Metals earned?

I was wounded in the head (which may explain a lot) by mortar shrapnel, which I think is all out now, and in the soul, which is still wounded.  I am also pretty certain it was intentional friendly fire since I had just chewed out a “light” colonel in a nearby armored unit for shooting at what I considered “my” villagers. Several medals besides the Purple Heart.

6.   Can you describe your experiences when you first returned to the U.S.?  What lessons to you feel you’ve learned?

After DROS (date of return from overseas), I spent an agonizing year at White Sands Missile Range, working on perfecting the Safeguard anti-missile System, which R. Reagan then renamed and invented 14 years later.  I was never mistreated or called names, although it was at times uncomfortable and I resented most everything in and out of sight.  Lessons? -  like, maybe, don’t trust our feckless leaders – they may lie and since 2001 to present day, don’t even pretend to care a farthing about our Constitution and civil liberties.  Also maybe our country doesn’t normally live up to its ideals or alleged morals.  Still more -- never let the military set their own budget, or let money (corporate “free speech”) buy our elections.  Otherwise, it’s still one of the best places in the world to be.

7.   After discharge did you go to college or technical school?  Pick up any degrees?

Lots of skills and a wee bit of post-grad, neither of which I remember.

8.   What have you done for a living in the years since you were in the military?

I worked for GE in Schenectady, NY, and after I could no longer stomach the soulless corporation, I started and ran an engineering firm.

9.   Are you in touch with any of your fellow service members from your time in the military?

No –I can’t even remember any names.  My shrink says it is because I don’t want to know if they are dead.  Hmmmm.

10.        When and where did you first get involved in public peace activities? 2002 What caused you to join Veterans for Peace?

I’m kind of a charter member and do not want to not give others nightmares with my tax support.

11.        Do you have any ideas or goals or changes in bylaws that your think the chapter should consider to further the cause of peace or improve our chapter's standing in the community?

You guys (no gender intended) are great!  How do we make the Military-Industrial Complex very, very, very uncomfortable?  They obviously don’t care too much about our voices and demos.

Thank you, Dan, for your service to your country, however misguided you may have been as a youth, for your service to peace and for answering our questions!