"The site is wonderful, and you're to be congratulated." 
 Sincerely, Ann Mills Griffiths
 Executive Director, National League of POW/MIA Families
 (11/2/01)

"A great tribute to an american hero.  Did you get any help yet from anyone at the Constellation reunion on information?  You should send this info also to everyone in the Constellation organization.  Again best wishes to everyone in your family. My son was 6months 1day old before I got to see him when I came home on the Connie cruise. I feel so lucky at least I did get to finally see my son and my heart hurts for those whom did not get to see their children.   God BLessl!"

Thanks, Olden Ledet  
USS Constellation 1969-70 Westpac  Operations OE Division
Vietnam Veterans of America Westbank Chapter 553
(11/1/01)

"I served aboard the Constellation from Sept 1968 until 1971 and had the privilege of working with the navy's finest, Navy Drivers. Although I don't have personal knowledge of this American Hero I am sure that the Commander made you all proud. I worked in photo intelligence and worked with crews of the RA5C's flying over Vietnam. I trust your memories bring you peace and pride as all of his shipmates must have felt about this true American Hero." 

 God bless you all
 Stephen P. Rubin
 (11/5/01)
 
 quote: "those of us who went through and return owe a great deal to those who gave  their all. Those who were protected owe everything."

"My name is Jay Dreschnack.  I'm a Detention Deputy Sheriff for the Pinellas County (FL) Sheriff's Office.  John Bouchard forwarded the info about your Dad's Web Site to me.  Unfortunately, lately I've been too busy to respond.  I wear your Dad's MIA Bracelet from the National League of Families and have since around 1985.  I asked John if he wanted me to forward it on and he suggested that I continue to wear it to bring attention to the cause and the fact that MIAs will never be forgotten.  I will ask you the same question.  Would you like me to forward it on to you? Thank you for the Web Site.  It's nice to learn much more about someone who has accompanied me on many travels throughout the years." 

Godspeed. 
Jay J Deschnack
(11/3/01)

I thought after I e-mailed you that the USS Constellation has a Web Page. You can find it at www.ussconstellation.org. I pull the web page up. I found your dad's name. Go to the Viet Nam file. You will find what I typed below:

On 19 Dec. 1968: A-6a of VA-196; AAA; Laos; Lt. M.L. Bouchard, KIA, and Lt. R.W. Colyar recovered.

I was aboard at that time. I remember our Captain of the ship telling us about your dad. I did not know your dad personally. I was ship's company. I was not a pilot. I worked below deck.I am very sorry about your dad. I am 54 years old. I would guess your dad would be about 59 or 60 years old if he had lived. He was a very brave man. The man I went into the Navy was also killed in action near the DMZ. He was 21 years old. Such a waste. He would have been a MD.I am a retired school teacher. I graduated from Auburn Uni. The Navy wanted me to take a commission and re-enter the Navy as a LTJG. I refused.

I remember went I flew out of DaNang for CONUS, no one greeted us. In fact, we were shamed by the public because we served in the military. When the officer saluted me when I left the USS Constellation last Saturday, I nearly cried. I am so proud to be an American. May God continue to bless us. I thank God for men such as your dad. When I preach the Gospel of Christ, I tell that we have the best of two worlds. We are citizens of the USA and more importantly, we are citizens of God's kingdom, Col. 3:20.

Alton Bailey
(11/2/01)