A letter to a Vietnam Soldier as a young child becomes a story of peace, love and hope. Our Interview occurred on 9/11, no more war, please.

“Your friend, Mike” – A true story written by Nancy Mikaelian Madey

Hidden stories from the past uniquely find their way into the present, leaving an indelible imprint. This is one of those stories.

1970 was a challenging year for America. The United States sent an additional 334,600 active military troops overseas to Vietnam to continue the U.S. war efforts against the spread of communism. Students opposing the war were demonstrating on college campuses, and organized protests and marches were held across the country.

Meanwhile, at an elementary school in Racine, Wisconsin a third grade class was writing letters to those brave unknown soldiers who were fighting a battle across the globe––not really knowing what war was.

Somehow, a 23-year-old man already knew what it was like: the soldier who received my letter. His name was Mike Conrad, serving in the 101st Airborne. I can recall the sheer happiness and excitement upon receiving a response back in an airmail envelope personally addressed to me. And, I bet Mike was equally thrilled to receive my letter. I can remember anxiously opening up the letter dated January 26, 1970:

“Dear Nancy,

First of all let me thank you for taking time out to write. It really means a lot to all of us when we get a letter. Especially when it is one from a pretty girl like you. My name is Mike. I am from Gastonia, North Carolina. I am 23 years old. I am married but I don’t have any children. My wife’s name is Becky. It is the middle of monsoon season here in Vietnam. This means that it rains almost all of the time. I’m glad to hear that you like school. This will help you a lot in life. Because a good education is very important. Always be sure that you do your best in everything you do. I better go for now. Thank you again for the very nice letter and the pretty picture of yourself. If you get a chance write again. Be good and study hard.

Your friend,

Mike Conrad

P.S. Tell all of your family and everybody in your class hello for me. Okay?”

American soldiers were drafted to fight for freedom and ideology in Vietnam, and in a way, we all are now drafted into a different kind of war. Back then it was serving on the battlefield and keeping a clean locker. Now it’s staying home and wearing masks when we go out. During the shelter-in-place, I decide to do some deep cleaning. Tucked away in the back of our closet was a cardboard box of memories nearly forgotten with time.

I opened the box which contained my childhood keepsakes: artwork, report cards, photos, and Mike’s letter. I picked up the neatly folded letter and re-read it. I held a snapshot of history in my hands––“Your friend, Mike Conrad.” His name kept ringing throughout my head and truly moved me into action. I wondered where he was now, and if he would even remember the little girl who wrote to him 50 years ago.

Since I had his full name, I did some online research to try and connect with him. Sure enough, I found a Mike Conrad in Gastonia, North Carolina—it had to be him! As I dug a bit deeper, I sadly learned that he passed away in January 2019. I read his obituary and also learned that Mike was an avid traveler and community volunteer—what a guy!

I was now, more than ever, determined to get a copy of Mike’s letter to his family. While continuing my research, I found the name of Mike’s wife, Becky Conrad. I sent a letter to her along with a copy of Mike’s original letter from 1970. Not knowing whether or not the address I found was current, I crossed my fingers and remained optimistic. In a time when we could all use some good news, I hoped my letter would reach her and spark something. And, boy did it ever!

“Such a touching surprise,” were her words in an email back to me, “joyful and bittersweet at the same time.” Becky emailed me a photo of Mike during his service in Vietnam, a photo of their family, and as an unexpected surprise, a copy of my letter that I had written back to Mike, dated February 3, 1970. Mike obviously treasured my letter just as much as I had treasured his.

“Hi Mike,” my letter began,

“I was very happy to get your letter today. Our whole class got their letters today. My teacher read each one of them to the class. I went to the dentist today and got my tooth pulled and it didn’t even hurt at all. It was a baby tooth. It was very cold out today. 13 below zero. I’m learning how ice skate, but I’m a little chicken at it. Did you know I am an aunt? I have a sister Kathy 21 years old, who had a baby boy December 30th. His name is Justin. My sister lives in Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin which is a 1-1/2 hour drive from Racine. Her husband has one more year of college left. I have an 18 year old brother Curtis who goes to college here in Racine and lives at home. My mother and father send their best wishes and say they hope you will be able to come home soon. If you have a snapshot of yourself, please send it. Write soon if you have time.
Love, Nancy Mikaelian”

Not too bad for a third grader!

Now as a grown woman, wife and mother of two children, I have a better understanding of war, and what these young soldiers and their families had to endure.

I eventually spoke with Becky over the phone and she filled in the gaps about Mike’s life. He passed away from Multiple Myeloma—a cancer he contracted from the USA’s use of Agent Orange. She shared some personal stories about the young man I never knew, who grew up to be a wonderful husband for nearly 51 years, a father, and a grandfather.

Even though Mike is not here with us today, 50 years later he managed to help unite two families—all with a simple stroke of a pen, “Your friend, Mike.”

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This July 4th, America’s national Independence Day celebration kicks off our country’s 238th birthday with an all-star salute led by our country’s favorite host, two-time Emmy Award- personality Tom Bergeron. Hot off another winning season as host of the hit series Dancing with the Stars, Bergeron will lead an all-star cast in a patriotic evening of unrivaled musical performances—topped off by the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation.

Broadcast live on PBS from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, the event will feature performances by: Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Frankie Valli; Grammy Award-winning music legend Patti LaBelle; multi-platinum recording artist and actress Jordin Sparks; five-time Grammy Award-winning singer and songwriter Michael McDonald; country music superstar Sara Evans; singer-songwriter Kendall Schmidt from BIG TIME RUSH and HEFFRON DRIVE; and five-time Tony Award nominee and Broadway star Kelli O’Hara; with the National Symphony Orchestra under the direction of top pops conductor Jack Everly. In celebration of the 200th anniversary of our national anthem, five-time Academy Award-winning composer John Williams will conduct a special new arrangement for orchestra and chorus of the “Star Spangled Banner” with the National Symphony Orchestra, The Joint Armed Forces Chorus, the Choral Arts Society of Washington and the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets.

The 34th annual broadcast of A CAPITOL FOURTH airs on PBS Friday, July 4, 2014 from 8:00 to 9:30 p.m. ET before a concert audience of hundreds of thousands, millions more at home, as well as to our troops serving around the world on the American Forces Network. The program can also be heard live in stereo over NPR member stations nationwide. With twenty cameras positioned around the city, including the U.S. Capitol, the White House and the Washington Monument, viewers are front and center for the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation during this top-rated extravaganza. Capping off the show will be a rousing rendition of Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” complete with live cannon fire provided by the United States Army Presidential Salute Battery, an audience favorite and A CAPITOL FOURTH tradition.

To talk about this year’s A Capitol Fourth, North American Network is offering five- to seven-minute telephone interviews with singer-songwriter Kendall Schmidt. Interviews are being scheduled for Thursday, July 3, from 11:00a.m. to 12:00p.m. Eastern Time. To book an interview window, please call.

BIOGRAPHY

Kendall Schmidt:

What began in 2008 as a passion project in a bedroom studio in Burbank, California has now become a whirlwind endeavor, with energetic and dedicated fans across the globe. Kendall Schmidt (23) is founder of the passionately-adored electro-pop band, Heffron Drive. Kendall’s passion for music began when he was just a child. As a youngster, Kendall would often recite whole songs after hearing them just once on the radio. Ever the singer, Kendall soon wanted to broaden his musical horizons. Initially, he tried playing the violin and drums, but neither instrument seemed to fit. One day, however, he borrowed his brother’s guitar and from that point forward, he was hooked. Kendall taught himself how to play guitar and eventually released a number of covers on YouTube, which garnered him his first fans. The initial encounter between Kendall and Dustin, a future Heffron Drive member, occurred at a screening for Kendall’s brother’s movie in Los Angeles, California. The two became instant friends; learning that each was a musician, had been born in the same hospital in Wichita, Kansas, and currently lived on the same street in Burbank, California. That street? You guessed it, was Heffron Drive. With money he earned from an acting gig, Kendall purchased some recording gear and the two friends embarked on a musical journey, knowing only to trust their ears and passion for music. When the question of what to name the newly formed band arose, Heffron
Drive was the perfect fit. The band started uploading songs, to the then-popular Myspace, and soon thereafter began receiving an overwhelming amount of interest. The Internet was buzzing about the new band’s unique music and it wasn’t uncommon to find the play counter hovering around 20,000 plays on any given day. Around mid-2009, however, and soon after the release of Heffron Drive music, Kendall was asked to become the lead singer of the band, Big Time Rush. He accepted, and BTR rapidly became a global phenomenon, with tens of millions of fans across the globe, millions of records and tickets sold, and performances across three continents. Not wanting Heffron Drive to fall apart during his BTR success, Kendall helped secure Dustin a position as a tour guitarist for the group. Although extremely busy, the two still found time to create music for Heffron Drive. With constant forward momentum, Heffron Drive is now preparing a full-scale launch into the world of irresistible electro-pop music. Infusing infectious melodies, unforgettable hooks, and beamingly beautiful lyrics, Heffron Drive promises to bring that lovable, relatable, missing-piece-of-the-puzzle to today’s music scene.

The post CELEBRATE AMERICA’S BIRTHDAY appeared first on Good News!.

Memorial Day Special The USO Show Troupe shares their wonderful talents with the US Troops at the Hard Rock, in New York City, Times Square.  Our Good News Memorial wish:  That war will be no more.

The USO Show Troupe www.usonyc.org

Since 1941, the USO has been entertaining our military across the country and around the globe. We are proud to continue that 66 year tradition today!

*Our Mission
Since its inception, the USO has remained steadfast in its mission of providing morale and welfare services to the men and women of the U.S. armed forces.

Our History
The USO was founded in Times Square on February 4th, 1941 in response to a request from President Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Our Programs and Services
The USO provides a host of programs and services that promote the morale and welfare of our troops and their families — from entertainment to family support services to personal emergency assistance and more.

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