**** Chaney said America will not be held hostage. He's wrong...

[Hay1227]

I served in a Helicopter Search and Rescue/ Combat Support Squadron while in the Navy between 1974 and 1978. My first ship was the USS Oriskany. A beautiful attack carrier out of Alameda, Ca. The first cruise I made on her was however to be her last cruise. She was to be decomissioned upon rerturn to the states. When we returned we bid her o fond fairwell, saluting her and the men who sewved on her as she left to be scrapped out. Or so we thought. Apparently the contractor to scrap her out defaulted on the contract. The Oriskany still floats in Beaumont Texas as part of the Beaumont Reserve Fleet. Governed by the Dept Of Transportation, Maritime.

I contacted them to see if myself and some of my crewmates could come down to Texas to place a wreath on her flight deck as a last salute to her and the men who sailed on her. At first I was told that it would be alright. However, later I was contacted and told that I could not see the Oriskany one last time due to heightened security from the attacks on 9-11.

What kind of a security risk would it be for an honorably discharged, Vietnam Era Veteran, to board a ship he sailed on and salute her and her crew. I thought that we were not going to let terrorists hold us hostage? Then why let them stop a patriot from saluting a great naval vessel and brave crewman?

The Oriskany recieved two battle stars for Korean Service and FIVE for Vietnam service. She deserves better than "Gilhette". At least let me board her one last time and salute her and her past crews with a wreath. What could that hurt? How about it **** Chaney??? Are we being held hostage by Osama and Sadam???

[Stoner68]

Regardless of what people have said ,we in fact have given up some freedoms and in a sense are being held hostage. However ,understand one thing ,if you had to find a way to break down U.S. security what would you do ? Well, I would look for the least likely person to be profiled and try that avenue. Unfortunately many people can be bought for a price and the terrorists have plenty of money. So, most of us as non middle eastern looking folks should be subject to the same security rules as everyone else. There are many mercs out there who look like us but don't have our best interests in mind,that I can tell you for sure. So we should just stay out of the way and let the people do their jobs and do our honoring in private if need be.

Stoner

[cowboy_11c]

I agree that that is a bit extreme. However, I do feel that a few liberties are going to be intruded upon in the name of security. But keeping a group of veterans from saying good-bye to a beloved war ship is uncalled for.

[hank98]

Hi Hay! Just thought I would say that the Oriskany was the aircraft carrier that my grandfather was on during the Korean War. It's to bad they wouldn't let you on one last time.