Thanks Elson Shields, Louis Langhi, Steve Frizzell, and Phyllis 'Clifton Gal' Cochran for the info on Peter Staddon. A collaborative effort, done in time for Memorial Day.
Thank you for the work each of you put into this. To actually see the pictures of him in uniform, the letter from Nixon, Westmorland, and his commanding officer with a description of the battle that took his life, makes it feel as if it just happened. I will especially be thinking of he and his family this Memorial Day.
Thank you for posting everything about Peter Staddon. As Diane said, it feels like it just happened, as I did not know about his death until informed from this website. The letters and pictures of impressive. He looked somewhat matured, yet still so boyish. I do remember how sweet he was in high school. He was always giggling and grinning. I take it that his father is still living. Is he still on 10th street in Tempe?
Again, I offer by great appreciation to all who contributed to Peter's tribute.
Gail, Peter's parents have both passed on. I did find his brothers Chuck and Wally alive and well in the Prescott area. It was Wally who sent me the pics, letters, etc. I'm glad that people are interested in them. Peter was such a humble little guy in life, but in death his life has humbled the rest of us.
Thank you so much for this tribute to Pete. It means so much to our family. We were happy to be able to provide pictures, clippings and letters. It's really touching to know how many people remember Pete.
Thanks, Wally Staddon (the little brother ~ class of '71)
As a Viet Nam Veteran, it is my Duty to not let anyone to be Forgotten. A few years Back I went into Pete's Website on The Wall and found 2 people 'Remembering Pete' after around 35 years. This is a lonely place being a Viet Nam Veteran anyway. I do not get very many replies from Classmates I knew. My whole life was Tempe.
I decided back then to make people Remember Pete Staddon. I am very grateful for everyone's help. I am so Glad Elson was his Good Friend. I also did not know Peter had such a Great Family. Every one, Elson, Larry, Steve, and Phyllis really put this Tribute to Pete into a Noble Thing. Pete should have gotten more than a Bronze Star. I was looking for a Congressional Medal of Honor is what Pete really deserved.
Louis
Hi Louie -- just want to thank you for keeping Pete's memory alive. (and everyone else who contributed). I think it's wonderful. I remember him through grade school and high school. He was always kind. I remember reading the newspaper article at the time and feeling deeply saddened.
I also take this opportunity to Thank YOU for your service to our country. I am sorry that you all did not get the thank yous that you deserve. No one really knows what you went through. As I worked the jails and prison as a nurse, I often ran into Viet Nam veterans who had landed on the streets with drug/alcohol addictions as a result of their experiences and there was no one to help them. A simple thank you brought tears to their eyes. It has always bothered me that our veterans then and now do not receive the recognition and help that they genuinely deserve.
I also thank anyone else who served that I'm not aware of.
Carol
I didn't know anyone in our class had died in Nam. Every Memorial Day I find the time to think about our fallen heros, men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to preserve freedom for me, my children and my grandchildren. Thanks Pete you'll be in my thoughts on Mon.
I am very pleased to see that there is a tribute to Peter Staddon. Sad to hear that his parents are gone, but glad to know that Chuck and Wally are living in the Prescott area. Does anybody know about his sister Ruth?
Thank you all who did should a nice job. And thank you Wally for sharing the pictures and letters. I think of Peter often. I lived next door to him when they lived on Laird Street before they moved to 10th Street.
Thank you for the wonderful memories of Peter Staddon.
Carol,
I, too, worked as a nurse for thirty years and several years have been in behavioral health care settings. I have seen the ravages of war on many men, not only our age, but many from Desert Storm and all the recent military actions. It makes me SO sad. I am amazed at how many guys have survivors guilt that has really effected their lives. All they want to do is go back and be with there comrads in arms.
I thank all of you who have served and my thoughts go out to all that have suffered the effects. Perhaps some day love will win over fear.
Vida,
I have contact info for Ruthie. Click on my name above & email me. I'll give you what I have. By the way, I lived across the alley from Pete on 9th St. and couldn't remember you. Looked in All the yearbooks & you weren't there. Can you catch me up? How did you manage to miss picture day every year?
Fred Stone was in Viet Nam to. We were there at the same time. We were both in the 101st Airborne. I was at Camp Evans and Fred Stone was at Camp Eagle 30 miles south of me. Fred Stone got Bob Hope. We had Hamburger Hill. The Army would not let us go to Bob Hope.
The pictures of Pete made me cry, I knew he died in Nam, but had put it out
of my memory. We went back a long way, and Nam was such waste. It
was all about a waterway to China, F**k that, we have a fantastic Air Force
didn't need the waterway. Besides, China is supporting us now!!!!!!!!! But
you never know! Remember History does repeat itself! I learned that
at THS. Tommy
