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This page is created to allow Ray Bows to keep you informed of his book signing schedule and to share some of his experiences concerning the books he has written.

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Heroes Honor Festival  27 & 28 May 2022

4/24/2022

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It is with great pleasure and pride that IN HONOR AND MEMORY and our Military Memorialization Project will be part of the HEROES HONOR FESTIVAL, which will take place at Daytona International Speedway, Daytona Beach, FL, on 27 & 28 May 2022.

The hundreds of you who have helped us in our research, as well as of those who have obtained one or more of our books, IN HONOR AND MEMORY, FIRST ON THE WALL, CAMP FRENZELL-JONES, LEGENDS, SHADOWS AND HEROES, or those books which have preceded them, should know that the HEROES HONOR FESTIVAL is aligned with many of the same goals as our Military Memorialization Project, in keeping with the firm ideas that homage and tribute should be paid to veterans of all wars, and in particular Vietnam veterans for their dedication to duty half way around the world during trying, difficult, and dangerous times. 

The HEROES HONOR FESTIVAL was the inspiration of combat veteran Ben Peterson after his return from serving in Iraq. The heartfelt video of Ben's commentary about his return home and the Vietnam veterans that showed their support is at https://www.facebook.com/HeroesHonorFestival/videos/608920153770899/.  It serves to remind each of us that "every soldier who does his duty is a hero, and his or her fellow soldiers  and veterans are the ones who best know that."

We have had old friends contact us from as far as New England, and one from "old England" who are coming to meet us at the HEROES HONOR FESTIVAL.  What better way to reunite with old buddies and to receive the recognition that all our veterans deserve than to attend the festival this Memorial Day weekend (27 & 28 May 2022).

Ben Peterson, Bryan Pink, and their wonderful staff have pulled out all the stops for you. Do the same for them and please attend.  It would be a shame to hear about the HEROES HONOR FESTIVAL second hand  after it's over.

Everyone is welcome.  Tickets are free for veterans of all wars. Please see the HEROES HONOR FESTIVAL website for more details at heroeshonorfestival.com. You'll be surprised at the distinguished celebrities who'll be there.

With deep respect and In Brotherhood,

Ray Bows

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Vietnam (24 March 1969, MACV): The Freeman-Anderson, Graham-Browne Stories Live On

3/22/2019

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Sergeant Jimmy G. Freeman US Army
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S/Sgt Darrell E. Anderson, US Army
Fifty years ago this month, 28 year old, Sergeant First Class (SFC) Jimmy Grant Freeman, a native of Talladega, Alabama, and his comrade-in-arms, 33 year old, Staff Sergeant (S/Sgt) Darrell E. Anderson of Minneapolis, Minnesota, lost their lives in the steaming jungles of South Vietnam when the two men were attacked by a Viet Cong force numbering a thousand men. They died while standing back to back defending Tam Soc Operating Base on 24 March 1969.
 
Author, and Vietnam veteran, retired US Army Master Sergeant Ray Bows, has honored sergeants Freeman and Anderson in some of his past written works, and has memorialized them in one of his most recent books, his 800 page, In Honor and Memory: Installations and Facilities of the Vietnam War.  
 
In 1987 Bows discovered the basis of the story of Freeman and Anderson when he located orders at the Department of the Army Records Section.  Orders revealed that the two sergeants posthumously received Silver Stars for heroism, and the Freeman-Anderson Compound was named in their honor on 14 April 1970. Yet their families were never notified of the namings. Sergeant Freeman's wife, Dorothy, learned the camp was named for her husband only a few days before she died in 1988, and only through Sergeant Bows. 

Bows, in contact with SFC Freeman's daughters, Jaime, Cindy and Dorothea, eventually had The Jimmy Grant Freeman Bypass (US Route 280 in Talladega) named in his honor, and thereafter, SFC Freeman was inducted into the Alabama Hall of Honor at Marion Military Institute, which venerates Alabama's all time greatest military heroes. 

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Th road sign on Route 280 in Talladega, Alabama (January 2001). The Bypass was dedicated in honor of US Army SFC Jimmy G. Freeman. Photo by Ray Bows
Then, Bows was finally able to contact the Anderson family in Minnesota, and through the good graces of local veteran's organizations in the Minneapolis area, the Andersons were flown to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, in Washington, D.C., where a plaque, designed and engraved by Bows' son, Jeff,  was placed at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial where it remained for one week before becoming a permanent part of the "Wall's" collection. 
 
Bows explained, "Sergeant Freeman was home on emergency leave, because of the death of his youngest daughter, but chose to return to Vietnam, knowing that his surrounded location would be overrun at the next new moon when jungle nights were the darkest. Sergeant Anderson was back there on his own and their team did not have the support they required. Sergeant Freeman packed canned meat and other supplies into two suit cases, and left Talladega, already certain of his ultimate fate when he returned.  His actions were heroism beyond the call. He had complete justification for a compassionate reassignment, but wouldn't leave Anderson on his own."  Yet after all these years the Freeman story still has many gaps in it.  His commander is not willing to talk about the night of 24 March 1969, when the two sergeants were killed, and Bows has learned that there were two other team members who were supposed to be at Tam Soc on the night of the attack. "I have yet been able to locate them for interviews, so that I might get the full story."

As if the powerful tale of Freeman and Anderson is not enough, Bows learned (in 1992) that four days later, on 28 March 1969, another attack occurred on another mobile advisory team, 215 miles to the north of Tam Soc. 


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1LT Earl F. Browne
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Twenty-three year old, First Lieutenant (1LT) Terry D. Graham, a native of Gainesville, Florida, along with his fellow officer, 24 year old, First Lieutenant Earl F. Browne, from New York City, lost their lives when the two men were attacked by a Viet Cong force, and their defensive bunker was overrun. They died while their position came under an intense enemy barrage as they defended Operation Base #6 at Duc Vinh in Binh Long Province.
 
Ray Bows, who was in Vietnam at the time of those attacks, had no idea that they had occurred. "They were never publicized," he said.  None-the-less, years later, Ray discovered information about Graham and Browne after he came across a photograph of the camp at Hon Quan named in their honor.  Like Freeman and Anderson both officers also posthumously received a Silver Star, and the Graham-Browne Compound in the III Corps Tactical Zone was named for them in a growing tradition.
 
During Ray's investigation he learned that Lieutenant Graham's family knew little about the camp named for their loved one, and it is not certain that Earl F. Browne's family was ever notified of the honor bestowed on their family member.  Ray said, "New York City is a big place, and I have not been able to narrow down which borough Earl Browne grew up in, and therefore have never been in contact with his family." 
 
Bows, however, was able to contact Graham's son, Robin Graham, long after the MACV installation had been transferred to the South Vietnamese Binh Long Province chief on 18 December 1970. 
 
"These men were assigned to mobile advisory teams which were placed in remote villages to provide military and civic backing. To gain the confidence and support of the locals, Graham and Browne, like Freeman and Anderson were expected to live among the villagers and adopt their life style. Most such units were pitifully under-strength. These were heroes of the highest order," said Bows.  "Yet after all these years the Freeman-Anderson and Graham-Browne stories have many gaps in them, and although I know much about mobile advisory teams, I am still trying to fill in the missing pieces to the puzzle.  I am looking for those who served with these brave men.
 
"My job isn't complete in telling the mobile advisory team story," said Bows. "This is one of the most unique chapters of the Vietnam war, and men who served with MAT teams, fought and sacrificed during trying and very dangerous times as they experienced the most Spartan conditions that anyone could ever imagine.  I know MAT team members were a tight knit group, who served few and far between. I probably have no better than a fifty-fifty chance of ever making the right contacts, but I won't quit. Anyone who knew any of these four men at whatever point in their lives, and in whatever capacity, is urged to contact me." 
 
Those who have more information about Freeman, Anderson, Graham, Browne, or other mobile advisory team members, can contact Ray Bows at his website www. bowsmilitarybooks.com.
 
 

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Vietnam War Research

2/25/2019

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25 February 2019 - After my husband, author Ray Bows received a phone call from Joseph Montoya, of Culver City, California, who has been researching non-combat fatalities of the Vietnam War for many years now, I wanted to write this to make people aware of the scope of Ray's research and how important it has been. Ray and Joseph had a long phone conversation regarding their research techniques, and shared with each other methods of researching archives, previously written articles, and conducting personal interviews. 
 
The personal interview approach, it was agreed by both researchers, is becoming harder due to the numbers of Vietnam veterans, as well as family members we are losing each year. The majority of family members of many of our brave heroes, lost during the Vietnam War, are now their children, who, for the most part, don't remember their dad's because they were mere infants at the time of their father's loss.
 
Joseph mentioned that "In Honor and Memory: Installations and Facilities of the Vietnam War" was a tremendous reference source and few other documents available to him have come close to his needs in scope and depth.  He also referenced Ray's previous tome "Vietnam Military Lore - Legends, Shadows and Heroes" several times.
 
Joseph also used the example of the photograph of Sergeant (SGT) John L. Houston, who was killed, along with Master Sergeant Gabriel Alamo and Australian Warrant Officer Kevin Conway, during the 6 July 1964 attack on Nam Dong, when Captain (now retired colonel) Roger Donlon received the first ever Medal of Honor awarded for heroism in South Vietnam.  Joseph told Ray, "I have for many years had a team photograph in which John Houston appears, however, until I saw your photo of SGT Houston on page 191 of 'In Honor and Memory', I never imagined how young he actually was as a soldier.  He must have been a young teenager when he enlisted." 

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Page 191 of Bows' book, "IN HONOR AND MEMORY: Installations and Facilities of the Vietnam War" showing an exert of the Houston BEQ, which was named for USASF SGT John Houston. (Copyrighted material by Ray & Pia Bows)
Joseph went on to say that the first casualty of Vietnam listed on his non-combat database is that of US Army Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) A. Peter Dewey who was killed when the Viet Minh mistook him for a Frenchman on 26 September 1945. Although I have some reservations about the colonel's listing, as killed by the communists is not the same as losing your life to friendly fire, I understand that the fog of war can indeed be interpreted in many ways.
 
The connection between Colonel Dewey and Ray Bows is that both lived at different times in Paris, France, before their service in Southeast Asia.  Dewey as a reporter for a Chicago newspaper, from August 1939 to early 1941, while Ray was stationed in Paris with the US Army, from September 1964 until February 1967.
 
"I don't think I could have written about the colonel's time in France, unless I had experienced Paris for myself," Ray commented.

​Colonel Dewey had a great impact on our memorialization project, as were it not for available information about the colonel, Ray would have found it much more difficult to discover that many early American casualties of Vietnam are not, or were not, listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. 
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Page 102 of Bows' book, "IN HONOR AND MEMORY: Installations and Facilities of the Vietnam War" showing an exert on Colonel A. Peter Dewey and noting the plaque dedicated in his memory which was displayed at the American Legion Post #34, Saigon, Vietnam. (Copyrighted material by Ray & Pia Bows)
Such names, in addition to LTC Dewey's, which are mentioned in Ray's book, "First on the Wall", are those of Seaman William Cook, USN; General Francis Brink, USA; General Wilbur McReynolds, USA; CAT pilots, James B. McGovern and Wallace Buford. While the names of T/Sgt Richard B. Fitzgibbons, Jr., USAF, and Major Stanley M. Staszak, USA, once missing from the wall, have now been added after a long hard battle by veterans to get their names inscribed. Incredibly, the names mentioned in this paragraph died between 1848 and 1959.
 
It is with great admiration that I view Ray's early research, when his memorialization project began in 1987, and it is evident that others like Joseph appreciate Ray's efforts in preserving this information, just as we appreciate Joseph's database.
 
Joseph and Ray have agreed to stay in contact and exchange and share information. We encourage others with similar interests to do the same, and bring us into the loop, as well. 

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On 4 April 1959, Major Stanley M. Staszak, a graduate of the US Military Academy, West Point, and a US Army advisor to the Vietnam Military Academy, Da Lat, Vietnam, at the time, died mysteriously in his sleep, reportedly of a cerebral hemorrhage. His wife and two small children were there with him in South Vietnam.  In 2015, Major Staszak's name was added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. on panel 19E, line 7.   US Army photo.


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7th USMC Engineer Battalion Reunion 2017

10/1/2017

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A couple of weeks ago, Pia and I enjoyed speaking with Marines at the 7th USMC Engineer Battalion's reunion in Orlando, Florida.  Most were stationed in and around the Da Nang area, like Jim Taranto, Norm Johnson and Harry Prasch (Hill 37), Paul Narson, stationed at the Hai Van Pass, Billy Sorrell (3d Bridge Co), Ted Witsche, Lee Ragsdale, and "Ty" Cheripka, who was instrumental in building Anderson Trail (named for Sgt John A. Anderson, see IN HONOR AND MEMORY, page 11) and Cooper Bridge (named for Cpl Andrew J. Cooper - see IN HONOR AND MEMORY, page 76).  

We also met Colonel Frank W. Harris III, stationed in Vietnam from July 1966 to July 1967, who was present the day Corporal Andrew Cooper was shot by sniper fire while building the bridge that would later be dedicated in his memory.  Colonel Harris also spoke at the dedication of Camp Love, Headquarters, 7th Engineer Battalion in Da Nang and provided us with a copy of his actual speech to be included in a future publication.  Camp Love was named for L/Cpl James E. Love (see IN HONOR AND MEMORY, page 247).  The colonel was also the comrade of Colonel Charles H. Horn, who died on 13 April 1967, and for whom Camp Horn was named (see IN HONOR AND MEMORY, page 190).  Ray had first spoken to Colonel Harris via telephone about the circumstances of Colonel Horn's death, some thirty years ago, and was honored to have been able to meet him in person.  Our special thanks to Jim Taranto for allowing us to attend the reunion.   
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(Left) Author Ray Bows meets Colonel Frank H. Harris III, USMC (ret.)  after their intense conversation regarding the death of Colonel Charles H. Horn, some thirty years ago. Colonel Horn lost his life at the Nam O Bridge, 13 April 1967.   Photo by Pia Bows

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Special Forces, June 2017 - Det. A-33 and SGT Harry A. Walling, Sr., KIA 19 June 2017

6/17/2017

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Ray Bows proudly stands between Detachment A-33 members, Andy Corder and Joe Meier. Photo by Pia Bows
On 13 June 2017, while set up with our book, "IN HONOR AND MEMORY", we encountered two members of Detachment A-33, Andy Corder and Joe Meier, who arrived in Vietnam in July of 1963, and were stationed at Djarai with Captain David J. W. Widder, for whom two Camp Widders were named (one at Hon Quan and the other at Duc Hoa - see IN HONOR AND MEMORY page 432), and Master Sergeant John Holland.  Although I had written extensively about the team, back in my 1998 book, "LEGENDS, SHADOWS AND HEROES", this was our first encounter, and Pia and I were elated that they lingered at our table for a while, and that we could speak about David, who had died on his second tour in Vietnam on 24 March 1965, and about SMJ John Holland, who I had become very close to until his death on 19 July 2010 (see team photo below).
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This month, we also remember posthumous Silver Star recipient Sergeant Harry A. Walling, Sr., Detachment A-113, who was killed in action, 19 June 1964, at Suoi Da.   The Walling Bachelor Enlisted Quarters (BEQ) in Saigon was named in his honor (see IN HONOR AND MEMORY page 417). 

My search for the Walling family began in 1986.  It was in 2015 that Pia and I had a chance meeting with Sergeant Walling's son, Harry A. Walling, Jr., at the All Veterans Reunion in Melbourne, Florida.  Harry shared photos of his dad and supplemental information about his father's service that we were not aware of.  The rewrite of Sergeant Walling's story is an ongoing project for us. 

Photo of Harry A. Walling, Sr., after graduation from Basic Training.  Courtesy of Harry A. Walling, Jr.

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Memorial Day 2017

5/29/2017

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Pia and I could not make our usual trip to Washington, DC, for Memorial Day weekend, this year, but thanks to Colleen Smith, commander of American Legion Post #285, who allowed us to set up, we were able to spend a few hours with fellow veterans and their families.  Among them were WWII veteran, Robert Tucker, 94, who served in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany, who we presented a copy of FIRST ON THE WALL to; and retired US Army Special Forces Command Sergeant Major Tom Seuberling, who spoke to the Edgewater Lakes veterans earlier this morning, and who informed us of the "Sue & Pete Tavern", a facility at the Navy Seal Patrol Base in Nam Cam, Vietnam, named for two Special Forces survivors, himself and Peter Thompsen.  We are looking forward to getting together with CSM Seuberling, who is going to share photographs and info for our supplement to IN HONOR AND MEMORY.  
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US Navy Seabee Mark Henley, author Ray Bows and CSM Tom Seuberling stand shoulder to shoulder at the American Legion in Edgewater, Florida. Photo by Pia Bows
Our sincere thanks to Casmira Harrison, Lola Gomez and The Daytona News Journal for their informative and compelling explanation of the Vietnam Memorialization Project and the purpose of our book "IN HONOR AND MEMORY", and its significance to all Vietnam veterans and families who lost loved ones in Vietnam.  Their accuracy in reporting is greatly appreciated. Their article on pages 1 and 12 A, of today's paper, mentions Floridians CWO Charles E. Holloway, killed in action (KIA) 22 December 1962,  for whom Camp Holloway in Pleiku was named and SP5 Wyley Wright, Jr., KIA 9 March 1964,  for whom the Shannon-Wright Compound at Vinh Long was named for, in part.

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The Travelling Wall at Melbourne, Florida, May 2017

5/12/2017

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Eleven year old, Inga Engele, daughter of veteran Ron Engele momentarily displays her copy of FIRST ON THE WALL, placing the cover photos of Dale Buis and Chester Ovnand next to their names on Panel 1E of The Travelling Wall, Melbourne, Florida, 6 May 2017. Photo courtesy of Ron Engele.
Last weekend in Melbourne. Florida,  we attended the All Veterans Reunion where we met good friends, Marty Jester, Bill Robinson, Richard and Tom Trott, and Nam Knights member Ron Engele, who furnished us with this beautiful photograph of his daughter, Inga, after they had visited The Travelling Wall. 

Our deepest thanks to all those who purchased our books and who continue to support our project.

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Snowbirds 101st Airborne Division Reunion - Feb 2017

2/13/2017

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At short notice, Pia and I drove across state to Tampa for the Snowbirds 101st Airborne Division reunion and how glad we were to be able to attend.  We were set up next to Richard Bathurst, member of 2/327th Infantry and author of "No Slack".  Rich, a native Floridian, introduced us to fellow members of 2/327th Infantry, Richard Walsh and Jesse Myers, Jr., and all three men gave us information on 1SGT Nelson Henry, for whom FSB Henry was named.    Many thanks to Eddie Pissott for inviting us.  
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Bathurst and Bows display their books. Photo by Pia Bows
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Visiting the 9th Marine Engineer Battalion Reunion in St. Augustine, Florida

2/2/2017

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Robert Uderitz and other members of 9th USMC Engineer Battalion examine a copy of "IN HONOR AND MEMORY".
On Wednesday, 1 February 2017, at 0800 hours, Robert T. Uderitz invited us to attend the 9th Marine Engineer Battalion's  business meeting where Ray gave a 15-20 minute talk on US Marine Corps personnel killed in Vietnam and for whom a facility was named, which are presented in his book "IN HONOR AND MEMORY".   They included Sgt Don M. Perdue, 1st Engineer Battalion, for whom Camp Perdue, Da Nang, was named; LCpl Ronald C. Kissinger, 11th Engineer Battalion, for whom Camp Kissinger at Dong Ha Combat Base was named; LCpl James E. Love, 7th Engineer Battalion, for whom Camp J. E. Love, Da Nang, was named; and 9th Engineer Battalion member Pfc Arlon G. Schaeffer for whom Schaeffer Bridge was named.  The bridge was built by members of the unit after Pfc Schaeffer died in September 1968.  Construction was completed on 6 January 1969 and the 722 ft long bridge was at the time considered the longest built in the history of the Marine Corps. 
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After the meeting, Ray autographed  copies of "IN HONOR AND MEMORY" (pictured above with Joe "Alphabet" Plocharczyk), while I collected useful information for future publications from members Phil Williams and Alex Burt.  

Ray and I would like to thank all 9th Marine  Engineer's  for supporting the project and  sharing information and photos.  Our special thanks to  Bob for the invite, and I would personally like to thank all those who signed my cards, which I am going to place inside my copy of "The 9th Engineer Battalion in Vietnam" by Jean Shellenbarger.   It was an honor to meet and speak with all of you. 

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Vero Beach, Florida

2/1/2017

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Leonard Wood (right), 11th ACR and the AMERICAL Division, with Ray Bows at Vero Beach, Florida.
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Copies of "IN HONOR AND MEMORY" stand tall, with Robert F. Walker's book, "Wearing the Badge" in center.
Veterans gathered in Vero Beach at the weekend where we saw some familiar faces  - Al Walker who served during Operation WHITE STAR and Bill, of Okeechobee, who served with the 25th Infantry Division.   We also encountered, for the first time, Jim, the 199th Light Infantry Brigade's Headquarter Company (HHC) clerk, who bought a copy of "CAMP FRENZELL-JONES", and who said he would be happy to share with us any 199th documentation he may have.   On Sunday we met Leonard Wood, of Sebring, who served in Vietnam in 1971-1972 with 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment.   I was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, in 1968, which was named for US Army General Leonard Wood, Sr., and, so, meeting someone called Leonard Wood was an experience.   We shared tables with Bob Walker, author of "Wearing the Badge: A Photographic Tribute to the American Police Officer", and Bob's charming wife, Kathy (see www.walkersbbooks.com for more details).    
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Ray Bows autographs a copy of "IN HONOR AND MEMORY" to Leonard Wood
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    Master Sergeant Ray Bows, US Army (ret.) spent twenty years on active duty including overseas assignments in Korea, France, Vietnam, Germany, and Belgium, with TDY to Crete and Italy.

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