My hobbies are 3D Printing, fishing, and working on my acreage up at Dent, above Dworshak Reservoir. Most weeks in May through August I will be fishing for Kokanee (landlocked sockeye salmon) on Monday Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursdays. I will post the fishing results in by BLOG

Check my BLOG for fishing reports

I always have room for another fisherman or fisherwoman on the boat. I launch from the ramp at Dent by 0630. If you are interested in going let me know and we'll work out an arrangement. I have one spare sleeping area at my place, so you could possibly come up the night before and go home after fishing. It is 70 mile from Clarkston to my place and the drive takes about 90 minutes. It is on paved roads except for the last half mile. I can be reached at [email protected].

Check my BLOG for info on the All Makes Car Show in Harrington, Wash on Saturday, May 17.

1. Everybody is invited to the St. John (Washington) All Makes Car show, Saturday, June 28. I will be leaving from the Walla Walla CC parking lot at 7am. Remember to have a full tank of gas. Bring water and sodas, sunscreen, hats, chairs and light long sleeve clothing. I drive slow and not well. Food trucks on site. Corvette drivers remember the wave.

2. Gun Show, at the Lewiston VFW (Warner Ave,), Friday and Saturday, May 31 and June 1. $5 entrance.

National Vietnam Veterans Day In every town in America young men between the age of 18 and 35 worried about their immediate future. By age 18 all males were required to register for the draft just as they are today. The Vietnam War was prosecuted from 1955 to 1975 and up to December 1st 1969, the drafted was very modest and in most cases reasonable. This escalated into a full out conflict during the Tet offensive and the draft became a household concern. A Lottery was established by date of birth which was drawn randomly and televised. The lower the number the higher the probability. If you were beyond 250, likely no need to fear. Those that were in school were deferred as long as they remained there successfully. If you received a draft notice, a letter beginning, “Greetings, The President of the united States…” you still had a lot of choices. You enlist right away or present yourself to the place and time in the letter. You could refuse the draft which meant prison time, you could run to a foreign Country (mostly Canada who would not extradite), or have an affliction that made you unfit for military service. There was a lot of injustice in the system and many chose to enlist in the Service of their choice. I didn’t volunteer. I was voluntold, drafted out of college in 1971. I made a choice of signing that blank check to our Nation for all that I had and possibly all that I would ever have, my life! My number was 42. I was sure that I was off to “Nam” but was trained to be a Military Records Specialist. My job was to give the final Orientation speech to all transfers from final training to posts around the world and I was in charge of a team that insured the individual had all the information and records to go. Not many military personnel actually ever see combat but all are trained to be support and team members for those who do. All military personnel serving during the Vietnam War are Vietnam Era Veterans as recognized by Congress. It was a very dangerous time even for personnel posted in the States. It got so bad that orders were posted not to wear military uniforms off your station, not to travel in uniform and to not go alone into potentially dangerous areas. Vietnam was the first war to be fully televised. The anti-war movement was also featured by the media and helped fuel the anti-military sentiment in our nation. Many blamed the individual as the reason for the war and the venom was contagious. Unfortunately the public paints everything with a broad brush. We were called “baby killers”, everyone was seen as combat and the public only knew the terrible images they seen on TV. Personnel were assaulted, humiliated and even killed by a public that had the “right to know”. Having a personal experience with that hate left me with an indelible and bitter memory for 54 years now. Perhaps you can imagine a little elderly lady that reminded me of Tweedy Bird’s Granny spitting on you and bashing you with her cane. There is no training to return you to a life that you knew several years ago. Vietnam Veterans generally were not welcomed into Veteran groups. The older generation of warrior considered Vietnam not a real war and mostly rejected entry into the Veterans Groups. Many that had mental or physical issues self-medicated or denied they had a problem. Government assistance with problems that were not properly recognized, were often denied or not properly treateed by the Veterans Administration. The effects of “Agent Orange” was only recognized after many died in their later years. Three of my cousins included. Much of my time these days is spent visiting with Veterans. Every time I see a person with a military hat or jacket, I greet them and shake their hand. Often I get lucky to visit with a Lady Veteran, I am constantly amazed how many do not think they qualify as a veteran, don’t believe that they can join a Veterans group because of where and when they served and have never tried to discover what Veterans benefits might be available for them or where they might look. Many have gone to alcohol and drugs to deal with their pain alone. Or they have joined the average of 22 Veterans in this nation who have taken their own lives every day. Perhaps the most disturbing thing is that our Post-Vietnam Veterans seem to think that they have nothing in common with the elder warriors and their post war issues are unique to their age and conflict. Nothing could be more untrue. Unlike in my time, Veterans Organizations welcome our young warriors. We need your voice in our community and in our National Government to keep the benefit that we earned and to keep the new public appreciation for military service. Our active membership is dwindling and your voice matters!. On Saturday March 29th, American Legion Post 246 Clarkston Washington along with Veterans Outreach, VFW 1443 and Fleet Reserve 78 and many business and private sponsors is presenting a Veterans Fair. The opportunity to network with other veterans and organizations that serve the community. This includes all of the LC Valley and surrounding area. All veterans groups have been invited to come, share their efforts for the veteran’s community. Recruit, fundraise, or just represent. Booth space is free with request, civilian and military honors for National Vietnam Veterans Day will commence at 9 am. This is a family event and a free pancake breakfast will be served after the opening. The public is welcome and we encourage you to honor our Veterans. LARRY W. BEAN COMMANDER, AMERICAN LEGION POST 246