Short Summary
After restoring PBR 6927, a Vietnam War era US Navy River Patrol Boat,
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several years ago and having used it in various historical, educational and veteran appreciation functions, we'd like to fulfill a dream of many of the veterans that we have interacted with. As these boats generally operated in two boat patrols, it has been a desire of many former crew members to experience a pair of these boats operating in tandem once again. Both myself and Dennis Ambruso, owner of PBR 721
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have worked together to help crew each other's boats for functions that honor service and educate the public about these little known branches of the US Navy and US Army in Vietnam. In spite of our best efforts, we have never achieved the goal of fulfilling that two boat patrol dream. Distance and financial constraints have always held us back. PBR 6927 is located in eastern Ohio, and PBR 721 is located in north eastern North Carolina.
After Dennis relocated to the Elizabeth City North Carolina area, at the prodding of former Vietnam Riverine Sailor Clarence "Coop" Cooper,
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Coop receives his Bronze Star
Dennis and I became involved with the local Chapter of
The Gamewardens of Vietnam of which Coop was President. This was the name given to the US Navy's Task Force 116, which was tasked with patrolling the vast inland waterways of Vietnam, to deny the enemy the use of waterborne transportation of men and materials.
We are now both also involved with the
458th Sea Tigers(PBR), a US Army Vietnam PBR group. Through these groups, we have provided our boats for reunions, current US Navy ceremonies, and other functions that support the stated mission of these veterans' organizations, to keep their history and memory alive for future generations.
Unfortunately
Coop passed away shortly after PBR 721's move to the area; he never got to see his vision come to fruition. He did manage to plant the seeds of his vision, laid the groundwork and established connections with the local US Navy assets in order to create an atmosphere of cooperation between the boat owners, active military and military veteran's groups. This was Coop's dream. For these reasons and through Coop's work, Dennis and I are attempting to make Coop's dream a reality - in his memory and spirit.
This is an epitaph describing who Coop was " We have lost the glue that held members of the Gamewardens Association Vietnam to present, Mid-Atlantic Chapter, together. QMCS (SS) Clarence "Coop" Cooper was and is a loyal American Citizen, submarine sailor, war veteran and combat hero that many have and always will keep in their heart. A man like him only comes around once in a while. Not only have we lost a dear friend to all, but lost our ambassador to many United States Navy units past and present."
We recently became aware of real estate opportunity in the Elizabeth City area that would make the two boat patrol an ongoing living history reality. We have been presented with a property the consists of canal front acreage, a small boat basin with several docks, and a large boathouse. This could very well be the glue that Coop was in search of.
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Our immediate goal is to raise funding for the purchase of this property and develop a facsimile of a Vietnam era Small Boat Support Base. We would name this Base to honor Coop and all who served and would promote it as a central gathering place and focal point for Riverine veterans, current Riverine service members and families. Once ownership is established, both PBRs would be docked and operated from here and be made available for visiting veterans, local functions and other historic educational opportunities.
The current US Navy Riverine Forces are schooled in the doctrine of their Vietnam predecessors and always show a genuine interest in their history. The Gamewardens maintain a close working and social relationship with the current commands of the Small Boat and Riverine forces in the Norfolk VA area. It is through this relationship that our PBRs have been invited to participate in Command Change and retirement ceremonies, as well as family days and Capabilities Excercises. Establishing this local base of operations will allow greater opportunities to be involved in similar events and will honor those that have served as well as link the past history with the current cadre of Riverine forces.
What We Need & What You Get
We are asking for enough funding to make a reasonable offer towards the property as well as execute some up front infrastructure additions and repairs. Donations of any size can be made by Credit Card or Paypal.
The asking price for the property is $199,000. After meeting with the realtor and doing some local research on utilities and former use, we feel that we can get a reasonable offer on the table and along with our own contributions, to make this dream a reality.
The establishment of this Riverine Base has been discussed with our friends in the various veteran's organizations. They are passionate about having a place that will be a focal point for meetings and family gatherings. They are looking at this as an opportunity to show their families what they did in their former military days and present a unique setting in which to share, explore and heal with their families and brethren.
In addition to veteran use and participation the setting would be available for public visits and local educational trips. We often have veterans interact with the public when we display our boats. These veterans often give a hands on, living history account of life in a PBR unit during the Vietnam War.
Our goal is to make this all happen in one fell swoop. If we fall short of our goal, any available funding will go towards the operation of both boats into the future. Due to a commitment of both boats being available for a joint Army/Navy PBR reunion in Hampton Virginia in Sept 2015, this will be the first historic event that both boats participate in. Your contributions will help make this, and other functions, a reality.
The Impact
As we are entering the decade of the 50 year plus anniversary of our involvement in Vietnam, we feel that this decade will be that which brings the awareness of the Vietnam Veteran's sacrifice and service to the forefront. Over the past several years, we have had the honor and privilege of reuniting individuals and crew with their past service. On many occasions, this has been a bonding and healing experience for those men and their families. It's difficult to think of these past individual instances and impacts without getting emotional.
It's no mystery that these veterans were not well received upon their return to the US. Although I was a junior in high school when Saigon fell, being a student of military history, I was deeply impacted by the images of helicopters evacuating the US Embassy
and of countless "procured" helicopters being flown to US warships in the South China Sea, only to be pushed empty off the decks to make room for more fleeing refugees
As I've always held a special place in my heart due to the disservice that my fellow citizens provided to these vets upon their return, it may explain my desire in restoring this PBR as a means of honoring their sacrifice and history.
I found it particularly appropriate and somewhat of an omen this morning, on my way to do grocery shopping, to hear on Satellite Radio, sounds and recorded newscasts of the US final evacuation of Vietnam. I had planned to work on this proposal on this very day, which turned out to be the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon. The memories of those newscasts and images came flooding back to the point that I had to pull over and collect my thoughts.
Challenges and Qualifications
Although we feel that this is a worthy goal for a worthwhile cause, we hope that you will also share our dream in achieving this milestone. The Vietnam veterans that I have interacted with are a private lot, they weren't shown much support upon their return and don't expect much. They are a quiet group that doesn't ask for much. Most would rather put forth efforts to insure that future generations of returning veterans are given their due honor. Help us to give them the welcome home that they deserve by providing this Living History honorarium for them and current and future Riverine Sailors.
Collectively David Pizzoferrato and Dennis Ambruso have over 80 years of military vehicle restoration and preservation experience. Dennis has many years of experience and contacts within the military museum circles. He is also a founding member of The Military Museum of Southern New England in Danbury CT. David is a co-owner operator of a military vehicle restoration canvas business and has had prior experience in various team oriented management capacities in heavy and building construction trades in both public and private sector settings. The balance of our team and advisers will consist of passionate veterans with valuable hands on input.
Our team is uniquely qualified and shares a burning passion for seeing this project through.
In order to more fully appreciate and understand the challenges faced by those who manned and maintained these boats on a daily basis, here is an informative video that details the history of the Brown Water, Small Boat Navy in Vietnam
Other Ways You Can Help
Spread the word and share this solicitation with friends, family, and everyone you think might be like minded. Here are the websites for PBR 6927 and PBR 721
As this develops, we may offer some perks such as naming rights for hootches, Quonset Huts, etc. We'll address the suggested contribution and attributed structure in future updates.
Be sure to check our gallery for other videos showing these boats in action supporting various venues.
