The LuLac Edition #2888, April 30th, 2015

RETRACTION & CORRECTION 

In the April 28th #2887 edition of LuLac one of our posters incorrectly identified local blogger Justin Vacula as being involved in an incident at King's College a few years back.  In fact
it was a King's College student accused of urinating on the nativity scene in Public Square in Wilkes-Barre identified as Nathan Strawn who later apologized for his behavior. The poster was incorrect, that post has been deleted but we must make an apology to Mr. Vacula for the obvious error. We've always prided ourselves on editing posts that would be detrimental to any one's character. We missed this one here and promise to do better in the future.

VIETNAM EXIT @ 40

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. For my generation, the Baby Boomers it was a strange moment. The Vietnam War that divided the country since 1965 was now at an end. It was a repudiation of a Cold War Foreign Policy that was in place since the end of World War II.
It was also a triumph for those people who opposed the war in Vietnam as a foreign conflict that we should never have been involved in.
Like the war, the generations of my father and mine differed. Most of that age group felt that if we had only used more force, there might be a better outcome. Then there were those who pointed out that 55,000 people had lost their lives in that conflict. The final total turned out to be 58,303.
The bulk of the casualties came after Richard Nixon announced he had a plan to end the war in the 1968 election. During the time I was in high school there were walk outs and protests across the nation. There wasn’t a lot of activity that I remember locally save for a few demonstrations after 1970.
We had been told in school that the United States military was superior to any guerrilla forces. That was not to be.
Like every war, Vietnam had its fair share of deception. We were told U.S. ships were attacked at the Gulf of Tonkin which prompted a resolution of war. African Americans were lied to by the Defense Secretary Robert McNamara (Vietnam Vets I’ve spoken to over the years tell me they hope there is a special place in hell reserved for McNamara.) His Project 100,000 which further lowered military standards for 100,000 additional draftees per year was aimed at minorities. McNamara claimed this program would provide valuable training, skills and opportunity to America's poor – a promise that was never carried out. Many black men who had previously been ineligible could now be drafted, along with many poor and racially intolerant white men from the southern states. Veterans tell me there is a lot of truth to the movie “Forrest Gump”.
When Henry Kissinger announced Peace was at hand, well,  he was correct but that only lasted a while. Without support Vietnam was bound to fail. One has to wonder what impact Watergate had on the outcome of the war.
By the spring of 1975 things began to go south. U.S. troops got refugees out of the country and there was the same hysteria from citizens who said the poor and disenfranchised would overrun the country and wind up on welfare. Sometimes I’m astounded by what a bunch of crazy selfish bastards we can all be.
Forty years ago, I remember I had a busy week and although I was aware of what was happening, I wasn’t catching some of the ironies in the big news. On April 30th I walked into the King’s College Radio Station WRKC FM. One of the students doing a jazz show, a guy named Craig Maniera said, “Saigon is now Ho Chi Min City”. With all the visual of helicopters rescuing people, with all the memories of that war, with all the uncertainty of American superiority, that one statement said it all. We failed.
The aftermath of Vietnam was supposed to give us lessons to learn. History will decide if we did.
They say November 22nd, 1963, the day an American President was shot in broad daylight on a United States Street was the day we lost our innocence. If that’s true, then April 30th, 1975 was the day we lost our invincibility.

WYLN’S OBSERVANCE OF 40th ANNIVESARYOF VIETNAM EXIT

Lt COL Robert Yale, Vietnam Veteran (one of the area veterans featured in the special)and SSG Olson (host of the special). (Photo: WYLN TV 35).

April 30, 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. On this date, and several dates to follow, WYLN35 based in Hazleton will honor our Vietnam Veterans by presenting a one hour commercial-free special, “Vietnam: Remembrance and Healing.”
The special will be hosted by SSG Erik Olson, Retired, a three-tour Iraq/Afghanistan combat veteran and wounded warrior. It is co-executive produced by him and his wife, Tiffany Cloud Olson, both area veteran advocates. SSG Olson will take the audience through a history of the war; notable battles; the unique dynamics on the home front during the war; and the geopolitical effects of it to this day. The special will also address what the community can do to better acknowledge the service and sacrifice of our Vietnam Veterans and continue to help them heal the invisible wounds of war. Aspects of the war and its after-effects will also be shared by several area combat veterans who fought in Vietnam, including: Robert Yale, a retired Lieutenant Colonel US Army; Robert Steltz, US Army; and Ronald Montz, US Marines, who fought in the Tet Offensive.
“Vietnam Veterans hold a special place in my heart. In so many cases, they did not receive the welcome home they deserved. Because of them, veterans such as myself from more recent conflicts got properly welcomed home. I think it’s important we remember their sacrifices; educate the community about this war, one which is often misunderstood; and that we publicly say the words these veterans all deserve to hear: ‘Thank you. Welcome Home.’”-SSG Erik Olson
Residents of Greater Hazleton, The DeAngelo Family and The Kress Family, as well as the area business Harry’s You Pull-It, provided the funding to present this special to our community on WYLN35. WYLN35 is a station owned/operated by Pat Gans and her husband, Joe Gans, a Vietnam Veteran fighter pilot.
Air times for the special "Vietnam: Remembrance & Healing" hosted by SSG Erik Olson (Retired) are:
Thurs April 30th 8-9PM
Friday May 1st 8-9PM
Sunday May 3rd 9-10PM
Tuesday May 5th 8-9PM
The special can also be live streamed these times WYLNTV.com for those outside the WYLN35 viewing area.
WYLN35 Broadcast Coverage includes: Service Electric Cablevision Hazleton Ch 7 and Wilkes-Barre Service Electric Ch 7.

“UNCLE WILLIE”

My friend Jim Petrie loved music and loved to write songs. A few years back he and a co writer came up with “Uncle Willie”, a Vietnam War Veteran still dealing. Here’s that video from a few years back.

YEAH WE’LL GAMBLE

So the Pennsylvania Gaming Board came to Mount Airy to discuss some possible change in regulations to strengthen the industry. One of the things they discussed was giving “the house” more of an advantage against the gaming public. Yep that is certainly going to make hard core gamblers and even novices want to play more. No one likes to be taken for a sucker. Gamblers expect to lose but not get hosed in the process.

WILKES BARRE MAYOR'S FORUM MONDAY NIGHT

The Wilkes-Barre Downtown Residents Association and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce invite you to join us for the 2015
Wilkes-Barre Mayoral Candidates Public Forum
Monday 7 to 9 p.m.
Wilkes University’s Henry Student Center Ballroom
84 W. South St., Wilkes-Barre, PA
Free & open to the public.
Parking available in the parking lot behind the student center.
All candidates have been invited to participate in the forum, which is intended to provide an opportunity for residents and interested citizens to hear from the candidates. The forum will feature opening statements from each candidate, followed by a moderated question-and-answer session, during which each candidate will respond to questions from the DRA's membership and the Greater Wilkes-Barre Chamber of Commerce.
An informal, “meet-and-greet” session will follow.

BLOGFEST THIS FRIDAY

RED MILL

340 SOUTH MAIN STREET

PITTSTON, PA

EVENT STARTS AT 6PM

CANDIDATES WELCOME

MEDIA MATTERS

HAZLETON MAYOR DEBATES

WYLN TV 35 will rebroadcast the debates featuring the four candidates running for Mayor of Hazleton. This Saturday May 2nd starting at 1:00pm WYLN will rebroadcast the GOP debate between incumbent Mayor Joe Yannuzzi and his opponent Jeff Cusat at 2:30pm.
Following debate analysis, the Democrats Grace Cuozzo and Jack Mundie will debate the issues. 

Moderator was Tiffany Cloud. Gary Perna and I asked the questions.

SUNDAY MAGAZINE

This Week on Sunday Magazine
Brian Hughes speaks with Kelly Rafuse & Steve Franco from Good People, Good Homes about their battle against Wilkes Barre's "One Strike" ordinance.
This Week In Harrisburg examines State Senator John Blake's Inclusion Summit held earlier this week on how small businesses can adjust to a more diverse population in Northeast Pa. And State Senator Vincent Hughes from Philadelphia weighs in on Governor Tom Wolf's decision to scrap the asset requirement to qualify for food stamps in Pennsylvania,
An encore of Brian's interview with Bridget & Matt Purcell, who discuss the 3rd Annual Pat Purcell Scholarship 5K Run & 1.5K Walk, coming up
On May 16th at Nay Aug Park in Scranton.
Magic 93's Frankie in the Morning speaks with Kim Ostrowski about the Candy's Place Rainbow Walk, coming up next Saturday at Kirby Park in Wilkes Barre.
And Brian speaks with Dr. Doreen Addrizzo Harris who discusses why many diseases go misdiagnosed.

ECTV

BOLD GOLD COMMUNITY FORUM

SUE HENRY’S SPECIAL EDITION

Tune in to Sue Henry's "Special Edition" this week as Sue recaps the week's news. Special Edition is heard Saturdays and Sunday on these Entercom stations, WILK FM Saturday at 2pm Sunday at 6 am on Froggy 101 Sunday at 7 am on The Sports Hub 102.3 Sunday at 7 am on K R Z 98.5 Sunday at noon on WILK FM 103.1.

BUDDY RUMCHEK

Want to hear some great parodies on the news? Tune in to WILK Radio at 6:40 and 8:40 AM on Mondays. As Ralph Cramden used to say, “It’s a laugh riot!”

KAREL ON THE STREET

Tune in Wednesdays on WILK Radio for Karel on the Street. Hear some of the funniest and heartwarming comments on the issues of the day on Webster and Nancy with Karel Zubris.

CORBETT’S SOMEBODY’S WATCHING ME

Every Wednesday at 5PM, Steve Corbett shines the light on a Public official with his “Somebody’s Watching Me” segment. Corbett picks an alleged public servant to eye ball and observe. Batten down the lawn furniture in the driveway and that e mail machine. There is nowhere to hide when “somebody’s Watching”. Wednesdays at 5 on WILK’s Corbett program.

1965

Our 1965 logo.

In Cold Blood killers Richard Hickock and Perry Smith, convicted of murdering 4 members of the Herbert Clutter family of Holcomb, Kansas, are executed by hanging at the Kansas State Penitentiary for Men in Lansing, Kansas……The first Students for a Democratic Society march against the Vietnam War draws 25,000 protesters to Washington, D.C....Consecration of Saint Clement of Ohrid Macedonian Orthodox Cathedral in Toronto, Canada……….In the Dominican Republic, officers and civilians loyal to deposed President Juan Bosch mutiny against the right-wing junta running the country, setting up a provisional government. Forces loyal to the deposed military-imposed government stage a counter coup the next day, and civil war breaks out, although the new government retains its hold on power…...Prime Minister of Australia Robert Menzies announces that the country will substantially increase its number of troops in South Vietnam, supposedly at the request of the Saigon government (it is later revealed that Menzies had asked the leadership in Saigon to send the request at the behest of the Americans)..Australia announces that it is sending an infantry battalion to support the South Vietnam government………in Pennsylvania , former Governor David Lawrence says that he will certainly be on the stump for whoever is the candidate for Governor in 1966. Lawrence told reporters that even though he was taking it easy, he still had politics in his blood…in Luzerne County work continues on improving the county Road and Bridge Department. All three Commissioners Jim Post, Bill Goss and Ed Wideman are in agreement on that aspect of the County budget and fifty years ago this week the number one song in LuLac land and America was “Mrs. Brown You've Got a Lovely Daughter” by Herman's Hermits. This group made a huge splash in 1965 garnering top hits every other month.