MR. Don Bennett (Grand Dad) e-mailed me again on my WBC e-mail. everything is going well for them ecxept for one member of the family that is really sick and taking up all their energies.  He did re-ask me how to get on and use the web site, so hopefully we all can talk to them soon. No word on when marc is coming home or how the fishing there is. I'll let you know more when I know more, but until we can get them on the web site, their personal e-mail is one page back I think. Happy plunking! V-DUB-YA

Hay all, me again, I spoke with Don Bennett (Grand Dad) again yesterday, nice man! He said he will try and get on the web site soon to respond to us. He is still very excited for Marc that we as a group are doing something "special" for him. He said that in marc's life he doesn't normally stand out in a crowd...not even a small crowd. I said he's standing out now! I haven't seen it yet but Mr. Bennett said that Field and streams now has his pic in this months mag. with a small caption on it.
   I was wrong about his Dad, He lives in (spelling ???) Tallahassi Fl. and what ever we do to get this preasented to Marc Don wants to make sure that his dad is there with him!
   Hopefully they will get on the website soon so all can be involved in the conversations.....Other than that everything is going good! no bad news is good news, right?           V-DUB-YA

Well it's been little more than a week since I last e-mailed them, and told them about, and invited them to the web site. I haven't heard from them. I e-mailed them again yesterday with no responce yet ???...Maybe they did get on the site, saw my ugly mug and it scared them. I just hope everything is okiedokie.vw

Richard, Sorry you didn't know last night that "we" had board approveal. I do however did appreciate your time, help and your voice.
    Marcs family has heard my voice, and my ugly mug (if they have gotten on the site) but thu the e-mail they have a disadvantage of not looking into your eyes and hearing the  grin in your voice. If you want phone #'s let me know, I will give them to you, But I won't post them on an open site like this.
   This has been fun, and really can't wait to see how all this ends. Looking foword to him coming home, and I hope he brings all his buddies with him!
   Also looking foword to seeing exchanges between them and us on this page. V-DUB-YA

Great Job Virgil, I never had a doubt that you be able to string this all together - I look forward to the next installment, perhaps one day we might get to meet Pfc Bennett and take him out on a fish-in or a Jamboree or something. That would be a wonderful experience.

As I said before, "Virgil - You da Man!!!!"

Fantastic job Virgil. I know it has taken a lot of time to put this together. You are a very good guy to take on such a project.      

Ted

Nice work Virgil!

Ok Westerb Bass Club it's time to meet the family of our future newest member.
   WBC meet Mr. Don Bennett, the proud father of PFC Marc Bennett.
   Don lives in Tallahassee Fla. his e-mail address is cherokeehills9@hotmail.com
   The proud Grand parents of Marc live in Fitzgerold Ga. theire e-mail address is sturgeoncreek@hotmail.com
   Bennett family meet WBC.
   The last time I spoke (e-mail) them part of the 3rd inf. division were coming home. They didn't know if Marc would be one coming home or not, they didn't think so, but would let us know when they know. They are very excited that some one (group) like our selves want to reconize Marc...well it's pretty easy if you ask me and it's been a fun road.
   I will get them all the info they need to talk to all of us and keep us informed.

This is turning out great V.W.  Great Work!!

Smitty 8)

Virgil, that's really cool - you da Man!!!!

Were not done yet Happy to say that I got alittle further. Heres what I know, Grand dad's name is Chief deputy Don Bennett, yes chief deputy of the Fitzgerald GA, police dept, and a very proud man right now I must add. Very nice man! and willing to do anything he can to help us pull this off. Also found Joy black...marks 1/2 sister who is the 911 dispatcher one city over.
   Barbara Ashe who is the Associate Editor of the Herald-leader of Fitzgerald is thrilled to do what ever she can do to help us pull this off, she thinks this is the coolest thing for her little town, the small town does not have "tv news" all they have is a public access channal and "news scrolls by to read" So at this point we have the news paper that will help us on that end and between them and Grand dad they would be willing to make any preasentation for us. Maybe we can get somebody to video tape it for us and we could air it here.
   So Glen maybe we can contac evening magazine, and the other local news station and tell them what it is that were putting togather. They can start a story now and than do a follow up story when he comes home and we have video of it. What do you think?  Oh ps Grand dad is a long time B.A.S.S member......know he knows we exist and I think we have a new fan.
   Not sure what more to add or do, what you all thinking out there?
   Oh at this point nobody knows when he is coming home. But like them, I'm praying that all of them come home soon.
   I do now have e-mail address for Barbara, and should have an address for Grandma and Grandpa here soon as well as his mom and dad in Texas.
   Just another fisherman V-DUB-YA

Virg,
You're doing an excellent job.  Quite honestly, I'm buried beyond belief and just don't have any bandwidth available to pursue this.  Simply put, I've bit off more than I can chew at the moment and can't take on any more projects.   

In addition, at this point you know much more about this than I do, so you're the man!   

Ok the other stuff I know, Helives in Fitzgerald, Ga,  The local paper that  is reporting on him and is printing  his picture and story is the "Herald-leader, The person to talk to there is Barbara Ashe, Assoc. Editor Ph # is 229-423- 9331. the other info you have is correct.  3-69 task force, 3rd infantry division, from Fort Stewart Ga.
   Run with it Glen. VW

You guys are turning into real detectives.   I'll notify you when we have an opening in the Renton PD.

Smitty

Looks like the photographer is keeping a log:

http://www.mysanantonio.com/specials/war/storyindex.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=989

Here's the entry where (in part) he mentions the soldiers fishing in a lake at one of Saddam's palaces:
http://www.mysanantonio.com/specials/war/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=989&xlc=977422

He is working with Sig Christenson, a San Antonio reporter. They are with the Air Force's 15th ASOS. The air support operations squadron acts as a liaison between the Army's ground troops and the Air Force to provide close air support.

Officially, he is embedded with troops with the 3rd Infantry Division out of Georgia.  http://www.stewart.army.mil/Display.asp?Page=519F0559-BB39-492A-BF6D-7AAF2FBE0CE...


Hey Virg,
I just made a call down to the San Antonio Express-News and it's obvious you're ahead of me on the trail.  They mentioned your name and that they sent you some information to help track this soldier down.

You're on it man!