Micki & Larry's Sports Pub: June 2011

Saturday, June 11, 2011

"It's Lonely Here in Hell" love letters from Nam

In 2010 Michelle (Micki) Phillips (previously Micki Piper) approached me and asked if I would be interested in writing a story based on love letters from the Vietnam War era. While my writing at the time leaned toward romance novels and cub reporting my interest was piqued. When she informed me the letters she was referring to were letters written to her from her husband who died from small arms fire in the Vietnam War leaving her a young widow, my heart broke.
To be allowed the intimate glimpse into her life, the life she so briefly shared with her young husband, and to then share his letters with the world was without a doubt an honor I would not take lightly.
How better to honor, not only her husband’s memory, but the memory of all the servicemen that never made it home to hold their wives, their daughters, their sisters, their mothers.

April 4, 1967

Dearest Darling,

Monday, May 30, 2011

Marine Presents Vietnam Widow with Rubbing from 'The Wall' in D.C.

When Micki Phillips, owner of Micki & Larry's Sports Pub, was informed that her husband PFC James Dennis Piper was killed in action on April 11, 1967, she thought her world had come to an end.

44 years later, the memory not dulled with time, Micki has collaborated with local author Charity Maness to write a book based on Jim's love letters. Armed with all Jim's letters, prom pictures, draft notice, boot camp photos and more, Charity began in earnest documenting Jim's life as he changed from civilian to soldier, boy to man, finally paying the ultimate sacrifice in the jungles of Vietnam in the Binh Dinh Valley as part of the US Army Co.A 1st Bn 8th Cav 1st Cavalry Division Airmobile.

Receiving research help from local Vietnam veteran Jim Vinson (USMC Co. D 1^st Bat, 7^th Marines, 1^st MarDiv) along with information from LBJ's personal diaries and other information sources, Charity has been able to correlate each letter with what was occurring on that specific date in Vietnam and America. "Though the research is intense, the emotional toll is much more significant. I am finding that I truly like this man and I do not want the story to end, because, unfortunately, I do know how it ends."

As more people learned of Charity's efforts and Micki's loss so long ago, more veteran's stepped up to help in any way they could. One such veteran was USMC Ric Ryan, otherwise known as the 'walking man of Murphy's.' Ric was slated to take a vacation, a journey he had only hoped of completing before he passed away, to the Vietnam Wall in Washington D.C., to say his final farewell to those he once knew and had the privilege of calling 'friend.' During his heart wrenching visit Ric was able to remember Micki and her first husband James Dennis Piper. He located Jim on 'The Wall' and made a rubbing for Micki. He took pictures and procured paperwork with his name and rank. Going the extra mile, as Ric is known to do, he then had each of the photos and rubbings framed for Micki. He delivered the framed gift to Charity, who in turn delivered it to Micki.

Micki and her husband Larry Phillips, also a Vietnam Veteran, were moved beyond words at the gift bestowed upon them. The framed gift is on display at the Sports Pub and Micki is hoping to have it on display at Homecoming, either in the Armory or near the Historic 150th Anniversary wall where James has a brick in his name.

The picture below is of Micki and Ric's first meeting, the photo of James Dennis Piper on 'the wall' and the rubbing.