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"Raven FAC. Full-color images, Non-fiction, Secret war Laos 1970, personal account, LS 20A, Forward Air Controller, O-1 Bird dog, AT-28D, U17B. Vang Pao, Hmong resistance, Allied Government corruption. Faith. We were birds of prey; finding and destroying targets of opportunity and defending allied outposts. We dueled with dragons every day. In a flash of time, at the speed of haste, we pressed forward in the straps to the next battle, knowing many of us would die very young. Living in the present, and sculpting the future as best we could; we did our best to free the oppressed. Allied pilots flew with conspicuous bravery that others could live in Freedom's dignity, and love in her blessings of peace. Worthy dreams are too often victims of reality, like wilderness and paradise, light and dark, and long life. Ravens shared leaded air by day and warrior stories relived by night. ""It feels so good when gunners miss."" Close Air Support, Guerrilla Warfare. Ambassador's Secret War. USIS, AIRA, ARMA, My Ravens, Our General Vang Pao. Hmong Freedom Fighters, Robin Scout Translators, Chao Pha Khao Fighter Pilots, Special Guerrilla Unit (SGU), Special Operations, SKY, CAS, Air America, Continental Air, Refugees, USAID, Project 404, Det. 1 56th SOW, DEPCHIEF, RTA, RTAF, RLA, RLAF, RLG, PL, LPLA, NVA, PAVN, ICC. This work is an expression of my experiences as a Raven Forward Air Controller during the Loa Civil War. My window of participation was from December 1969 thru June 1970. This work is about people I knew who risk their lives in a fight for the freedom of others; and whose visions were twisted and tempered by the crucible of horrid War. This is a story of promise, betrayal, and hardship that progressed to a refugee gateway leading to compassion, freedom, education, and prosperity. The Hmong, Lao, Cambodian, Montagnard, and Vietnamese refugees from the Vietnam Area War produced vibrant communities in the United States. The Hmong preserved and learned to adapt to the American system without losing their cultural identity as Hmong or Americans. The Hmong have cleared the path and set the example for new refugees to follow. I hope this work is helpful to many in understanding the Raven's mission during the Secret War in Laos. This work should be encouraging for war refugees new to America. The United States military veterans should find goodwill in stories of survival and courage against great odds. ""Freedom is not Free."""

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I was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the city of Brotherly Love. My mother was a linguist, artist, pacifist and loving hockey Mom. Fletcher N. Platt Sr., my Dad, was an aeronautical engineer during the Second World War. His brother Blaine was a US Army airborne artillery spotter in WWll's Battle of the Bulge. My great Grandfather Lewis McMakin was a Union cavalry officer during the Civil War. When duty called, our family volunteered to serve as citizen soldiers. For me, there is only one race, and that is the human race. My family supports good character, not incidental color, race, or religion. We Love God, and we Love our neighbors. We forgive as best we can. In an un-necessary war, I witnessed great suffering. I learned that love and compassion are the paths to understanding. A cheerful, peaceful life is now our priority. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

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