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+++RAVEN DOWN—RAVEN 48/31—BRIAN WAGES—RAVEN 48/31—BRIAN WAGES—RAVEN DOWN+++

It is with great sadness that I must tell you that we have lost another brother this month.  Brian Wages, Raven 48 at 20A Feb-Apr ’70, and Raven 31 at L39 May-Sep ’70, took his last flight on 25 Jan 2026 following a heart attack.   Brian used to attend our reunions a few years ago, as did Diane, his wife, until he suffered a stroke, about ten years ago.  While he was left cognitively unimpaired by the stroke, he did have mobility issues that precluded him attending our more recent reunions.  Some of you may remember Brian from his work as a rater on our scholarship program.  Another really great guy, lost to us too soon.

 Diane has told me that there will be a celebration of life held at a later date, likely at a local country club that Brian favored.  The family asks that friends consider a donation to Brian’s favorite charity, The Salvation Army, or to the charity of your choice, in lieu of flowers.

Diane said she would keep us informed as to the final arrangements, and I will pass it on to you.  Diane is not yet in our Phone Book, the Home Phone listed for Brian will reach her.  Her email address is dfwages@att.net.  She will be in the next issue of the Phone Book.

It’s getting to be that time of our lives, folks.  Like the poem says…”I’d have been a better friend, but I trusted time.”  Reach out and touch a friend.

See you in Dayton.

 Nevermore…until tomorrow!!!

 Lew Hatch

Raven 44

+++RAVEN DOWN+++KEN ELLEY+++RAVEN 52+++RAVEN DOWN+++KEN ELLEY+++RAVEN 52+++RAVEN DOWN+++

It is with great sadness that I tell you that Kenton R. (Ken) Elley, Raven 52 from November 1968 through February 1969, has passed away.  Ken flew as Raven 52 out of Pakse (L-11) with Jerry Klingaman and John Mansur.

Ken passed away last Friday, 9 Jan 2026, of complications of Pneumonia in a hospital in Wichita with his wife, Janet, by his side.  Ken was 92 years old.  Janet has been Ken’s constant companion and care giver since he suffered a stroke in 2024.  We mourn Ken’s loss with his family.

Ken has specifically requested that there be no services and no obituary and the family is honoring that request.  He will be cremated and the family will privately scatter his ashes at a later date.  Janet has requested that in lieu of flowers, friends consider a donation to the EAPLS (Raven FACs) Memorial Scholarship Fund (c/o Terry Carroll, 507 Rolling Green Dr., Lakeway TX  78734-5222).  Also, if anyone has any pictures of Ken in Laos or at the early reunions, the family would like to obtain a copy, as Ken’s pictures all went missing during his military moves.

 There are now 106 Ravens/Butterflies left alive.  Please remember the line in Art’s poem…”I would have been a better friend, but I trusted time…”

 I hope to see you at the Memorial dedication in Dayton, 8 April, or at the Reunion, 22-25 October…or both!!!

  Nevermore…until tomorrow!!!

 Lew Hatch

Raven 44

***RAVEN DOWN***RAVEN 21/23***JIM BAKER***RAVEN DOWN***RAVEN 21/23***JIM BAKER***RAVEN DOWN***

It is with great sorrow that I tell you of the passing of Col. James D. Baker, USAF (Ret).          Those of you who attend our reunions remember Jim as he was a frequent attendee of our reunions until the last couple of years.  Jim flew as Raven 23 from Feb 68 until Jul  68.  After that, he transitioned to Senior Raven in Pakse (L11) and flew as Raven 21 from Jul 68 until he left country in Feb 69.  About three years ago, I stopped getting responses from Jim to my emails and about two years ago his emails started bouncing back, indicating that the account had been closed.  The last two years of his life were in veteran nursing homes.  He died at Clifford Chester Sims State Veterans Nursing Home in Panama City, Florida.  I was unable to track him down and we had no family members in our database at that time.  Jim’s daughter, Melanie, contacted me through Facebook with the sad news.  The pictures above are from Melanie but there is no obituary available as yet.  She said that Jim passed peacefully with his eldest son and two of his grandchildren at his side.

 Funeral arrangements are being made for a military funeral at the Tallahassee National Cemetery at 1100 hrs. Eastern on December 17, 2025.  Attendees should have their ID or Driver’s License and should be at the Cemetery 20 minutes before the ceremony is to begin.  Ravens have been invited by the family, should you wish to attend.  The family requests no flowers, and Jim asked that donation to the E.A.P.L.S.  Scholarship Fund, 507 Rolling Green Dr., Lakeway, TX  78734-5222, be considered in lieu of flowers.

 Our thanks to Melanie for thinking of notifying us during this sad time.

 Remember: “I’d have been a better friend, but I trusted time.”

 Nevermore, until tomorrow!

 Lew Hatch

Raven 44

 Also of note:  Estelle informed me that after losing her son, Roger Trevathan, earlier this year, her daughter-in-law, Barbara, passed away last week.

+++RAVEN DOWN+++ED GUNTER+++RAVEN DOWN+++

Ed Gunter, Raven 72, Jul 69-Feb 70, passed away in the Hospital in Tulsa, OK, at 1730, 4 Aug 2025, with Ellie by his side. He eventually lost his struggle with a disease that is claiming many of our brothers, Parkinson’s disease, presumptively due to contact with Agent Orange in Southeast Asia. Ed will be interred at a later date at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs.

Ed was the fourth president of EAPLS and our second longest serving one. He spent 17 years herding these cats to the benefit of us all. Some would say a more accurate description of the action was herding a sounder of feral hogs on crack. He also organized our annual reunions in San Antonio single-handedly for over 20 years. We all owe Ed a huge debt of gratitude, as I really believe this organization would not be in existence today were it not for Ed and his penchant for self-abuse. Please send your prayers for Ed and Ellie. Ellie is recovering from spinal surgery right now.

Here’s a nickel on the grass for you, my friend.

Please go to the E.A.P.L.S./Raven Facs private Facebook page and pull up the Albums-“Ed Gunter—Gone But Not Forgotten” Album for more pictures.

For those of you who have met my son at the reunions, Cody lost his battle with stage four colon cancer last week.  Kathy and I have posted more information on our Face Book pages (“Lew Hatch” and “Kathy Hatch”).

Nevermore—See you in October!!!

Lew Hatch

Raven 44

2025 Raven Scholarships Winners

It is our distinct pleasure to announce the winners of the 2025 Distinguished Raven Scholarships. Without exception, these young men & women are truly outstanding.

Edgar Allen Poe Literary Society

Raven FACs

www.ravens.org

NEVERMORE

April 16, 2025

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Thomas H. Palmer Memorial Scholarship ($2,500)

Bell Lee

Sacramento, CA

John M. Byers Memorial Scholarship ($2,500)

  Anya Harmon

Spokane, WA

Willis G Uhls Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Allan Vang

Stockton, Ca

Richard H Defer Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Jolie Vang

Stockton, CA

Charles P Russell Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Mia Chambers

Merced, CA

George H Tousley III Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Lily Lappavong

Vancouver, WA

Richard W Herold Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Kimberly Vang

Milwaukee, WI

John L Carroll Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Kayla Jung

Chicago, IL

Harold L Mischler Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Jasmine Saetern

Toutdale, OR

Paul V Jackson Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Ashley Boonthavee

High Point, NC

Samuel L Deichelmann Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Kaitlyn Vue

Stockton, CA

 Marlin L Siegwalt Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Jayden Karakorn

Santa Rosa Beach, FL

Charles D Ballou Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Emily Vang

Fresno, CA

We have the best pricing for the highly sought after hardcover version of the book “The Ravens” by Christopher Robbins.  Check other sources then purchase here.

Hardcover: $35.00 + $7.00 shipping & handling (media mail) 

Go to the store for this book and other items for sale.

Pepsi received the following very nice note and photos from Luna XIONG, a 2020 Scholarship Winner of $1,500.  It is rare that we hear from past winners when they graduate.  You have to love her creativity and humor with the Burger King theme on her graduate cap (mortarboard).  Pepsi obtained her permission to post the note and photos on our site. Her parents are Kor and Seng.

Pepsi also worked to get her $2,000 from The Forty and Eight (40&8).

Spike

Hello Larry,
 
I hope you have been well and staying healthy! Guess what? I graduated yesterday!!!! Yay! I just wanted to send you this picture to show you and whoever donated the scholarship money that I made!!! I am forever grateful for the scholarship and without it, I couldn’t have accomplished finishing Nursing School.
 
Luna Xiong

2024 Raven Scholarships Winners

It is our distinct pleasure to announce the winners of the 2024 Distinguished Raven Scholarships. Without exception, these young men & women are truly outstanding.

Edgar Allen Poe Literary Society

Raven FACs

www.ravens.org

NEVERMORE

April 9, 2024

It is our distinct pleasure to announce the winners of the

2024 Distinguished Raven Scholarships. Without exception, these young men & women are truly outstanding.

Mark T. Diebolt Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Hana Yang

Sacramento, CA

John J . Bach, III Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Evelina Cheng

Sacramento, CA

Daniel Richard Davis Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Jaelynn Xiong

Sacramento, CA

Henry L. Allen Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Robert Yang

Elk Grove, CA

Richard G. Elzinga Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Abigail Xiong

Onalaska, WI

Gomer David Reese, III Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Fena Phengmany

Shelbyville, TN

James E. Cross Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Zongshai Vivian Lo

Schofield, WI

Joseph L. Chestnut Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Jennifer Sia Lor

Saint Paul, MN

Park George Bunker Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Mai Na Lee

Sacramento, CA

Charles E. Engle Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Christina Keoborakot

Joliet, IL

Dennis Edward Morgan Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Malachi Sky Thao

Paris, AR

Richard H. Defer Raven Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Sean Chue Vang

Saint Paul, MN

To: the Ravens

Greetings from the Distinguished Flying Cross Society (http://www.dfcsociety.org).

The DFC Society is pleased to announce its 2023 Reunion in Tucson AZ October 19 – 23. Our theme is “Vietnam War – 50 Years Later. Thank You For Your Service.” 

The Reunion hotel is the Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Suites: https://www.marriott.com/events/start.mi?id=1660838585208&key=GRP

For information on Reunion activities: http://www.events.afr-reg.com/e/DFC2023/

It is our distinct pleasure to announce the winners of the 2023 Distinguished Raven Scholarships. Without exception, these young men & women are truly outstanding.

Donald R. Moody Memorial Scholarship ($2,500)

Sheng Vang

Minneapolis, MN

George S, Wilson Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Madaline D. Her

Sacramento, CA

Frank M. Kricker Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Maisee Lor

Sacramento, CA

Jeffery E. Thompson Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Savannah Kajsiab Johnson

Winder, GA

David W, Saunders Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Thomas Y. Moua

Clovis, CA

Anthony P. Mahoney Memorial Scholarship ($2,000)

Ascher B. Bouskila

McKinney, TX

Max N. Hottell Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Nicholas L. Xiong

Milwaukee, WI

Samuel L Deichelmann Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Douachee Xiong

Eau Claire, WI

 Marlin L Siegwalt Memorial Scholarship ($1,500)

Philip Her

Hydesville, CA

 Charles D Ballou Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Adisouk Nhouyvanisvong

Wayzata, MN

Edward E “Hoss” McBride Memorial Scholarship ($1,000)

Nadia Chanthaphuang

Provo, UT

Larry Ratts just informed me that long-time Friend of the Ravens and duty driver for many years at our reunions, Jim Kellogg, has passed away.  Jim has been experiencing many health challenges over the last two years, since he passed out at our reunion in 2021.  He chose not to share his health issues with anyone outside his immediate circle of friends.  We will miss him.  If I hear any further information, I will pass it along.

“I’d have been a better friend, but I trusted Time.”  Nevermore!

Lew

Feel free to share this link.

Ravens, go to the News page to read Toby Hughes Obit.  He was a long time friend of the ravens.

Raven FAC Descendant Scholarship             

The Edgar Allen Poe Literary Society (EALPS), i.e., Raven Forward Air Controllers (FACs) is proud to announce the first winner of the Raven FAC Descendant Scholarship.  This program was a trial approved by the membership and first awarded in 2020.

The winner, Robert Downing Abbott, is the grandson of Major Robert Louis Abbott Jr., (USAFA Class of 1964) who survived the Vietnam War, but was lost in an RF-4C training accident near Nellis AFB on May 10^th 1979 during a Red Flag exercise.  Robert graduated from Missouri Military Academy in 2020 where he lettered in both soccer (3 years) and lacrosse (2 years). He is now enrolled at the University of Missouri studying mechanical engineering.  Inspired by stories of his grandfather, whom he never knew, Robert joined the University of Missouri AFROTC, Detachment 440, with the goal of becoming a USAF pilot. 

A private Facebook page named   Raven FAC’s/E.A.P.L.S  has been created by Lew and Ed.  Info from Ed follows:

Here is another link to the page:   https://www.facebook.com/groups/601112210770318

Ravens & Friends:

Not wanting to lose the entire Raven Reunion experience this year, Lew Hatch & I have been looking at ways to keep some of it alive during this crazy, mixed up time. Thanks to Lew’s hard work & tech savvy, I believe we have a way to keep our cherished Memorial Ceremony alive.

Last week, we met in the Auger Inn (which was closed) and made several videos of our ceremony.

We will be running it on a dedicated private Face book page,<< Raven FAC’s/E.A.P.L.S >>

This is a private FB page & Lew & I will be approving all members. It will have private rooms if you want to chat/renew old friendships.

Hello, Ravens. About 25 years ago I published a photo book called OUT OF LAOS: A Story of War and Exodus, for the children of Hmong refugees.  I am now working on a longer full-color version, bringing the story up to date and adding more coverage of notable Hmong, especially Lee Lue the T-28 pilot.

There’s a photo of Lee Lue that shows up in various places, including on the Ravens website. Usually the guy on the left is cropped out to just show Lee Lue, sometimes it’s both guys. But I have only seen it as a TINY digital file (under 20 kb), not much bigger than a postcard stamp. I’m trying to find either the original photograph or a much bigger and more detailed scan (5 mb or larger), so I can publish it, and so Hmong-American kids can get a better idea of one of their heroes.

Can you help? Do you know where the original photo can be found, or do you know someone who has a much bigger digital version of it?

Thanks so much,

Roger Warner

Out of Laos book project

18 Proctor Street 

Manchester MA 01938

(978) 821-8655

Here’s the photo in the version with both men:

P.S. Wrote a story about the Hmong T-28 pilots for Air & Space magazine long ago.  And a book on the Laos war. Got to know Heinie Aderholt a bit through Bill Lair. And so on.

Health for Every Veteran Study

This program was briefed at the Reunion business meeting.  It is a study sponsored by the VA that could benefit all veterans. It was checked out by Moose & he sees no downside to participation. 

We invite you to participate in a study focusing on your health behaviors and life experiences as a Veteran.

The goal of the Health for Every Veteran Study is to better understand the experiences of Veterans from all backgrounds and promote their health and well-being. We are interested in hearing the diverse voices within our communities.The study is being conducted by researchers at the VA Puget Sound Health Care System. It consists of completing a confidential, web-based questionnaire every 9 months for approximately 2 years (for a total of 4 questionnaires). All research activities are completed online, with no in-person visits required. For more information, please go to https://healthforeveryvet.questionpro.com.

Merry Christmas

Edgar Allan Poe Literary Society, Inc. Home of the RAVEN FACS A non-profit veterans organization