SAMUEL K. BEAMON

AuthorsDen	Posted: 06/30/2010
I just joined authorsden.com -- It is a web site that any writer should checkout. Writing is the easy part -- getting the word out on the book and into stores is the hard part.

Kaynor Tech

Posted: 05/21/2009

Went to my old high school today. The old school had been torn down and I was lost in the new building. The school's annual memorial ceremony was held for nine students killed in Vietnam and Iraq. I spoke to the students. I stayed there for the lunch but not to eat. There I saw two of my former teachers, John Rossi taught me English and went on to be the Director of the school and James White, my history teacher and is in the book. I haven't seen them in almost 40 years. I even got a brick from the oild building. What a great day!

50th Party	Posted: 04/07/2009
The 50th Anniversary of the founding of the Young Marine Program while be held in Waterbury, Ct. on April 25th. Young Marines from all around the country are coming to this celebration. I will have books available. For more information about this event go to -- www.youngmarines.com

Kermit & Danny	Posted: 01/14/2009
Look you guys - I haven't seen or heard from you in over 40 years. You both left entries on my guest book but I don't have your email addresses. Email me at crewchf164@aol.com. I really want to hear from you.  Kermit - I have a couple of pictures of you at a dye party in Memphis.

Young Marines

Posted: 08/26/2008

I had the honor of being present a the weekly drill of a combined Young Marine Meeting in Plainfield, Ct. Being from the original Young Marine Unit started in Waterbury, Ct, it was good to see that the program is alive and well in Connecticut. This program has been voted the second best youth program in the country - only behind the Boy Scouts.  The same things that I learned a young age were being instilled in these youngters. I spoke to those present as they sat in a school circle. The older boys took a leadership role under the guidance of their Drill Instructors. The faces had changed but not the program. Keep up the good work. Semper Fi - Young Marines

USMC/Combat Helicopter Assoc.

Posted: 08/14/2008

I made the Reunion of Popasmoke - USMC Combat Helicopter Association in Washington, D. C. We get together every two years. What a great time to get with those that we served in combat in Vietnam and other conflicts. I did sell some books but that was not the reason for being there. It was those Marines that did their duty. The drill exhibition at the 8th and I Barracks was top notch. The younger generation is carrying on the traditions of the Corps with the pride and honor of those that came before them. It was a real pleasure to meet the Young Marines from Quanico, Va. that were present, when we got off of our buses. The program is well in hand. I spoke to their directors about the 50th anniversary party in Waterbury - celebrating the founding of this program.    We had a memorial service at the Vietnam Memorial Wall remembering those that gave their lives and a trip the The Marine Corps Museum. The flyover the Wall was awesome. A CH-53, CH-46 and a V-22 Osprey flew in formation over the Marines and families gathered below. The only problem was they they flew in the wrong direction - out of the morning sun. Well, I wasn't leading the flight - HaHa. My son was there and had an opportunity to meet some of those that I served with. It was an outstanding get together - Mike, Peter, Tom and not to mention "FRED" made it all worthwhile. My HMM-164 and HMM-262 families are alive and well. Thanks for the memories. See you in two years. -- Semper Fi -- Sam

Marine Corps League National Convention	Posted: 08/10/2008
I attended the National Marine Corps League Convention in Orlando. Saw some old friends and made some new one. Only Tourists and Marines are in Florida in August - very strange.    I met the National Director of the Young Marine Program, along with some of his staff. It was an honor to see that the program is growing and what they are doing for our youth.

Danny Trower	Posted: 07/19/2008
Hey Itchie Brother - This is Biggie Rat. I want to hear from you. I talked to Cisco and Louie King. I will see Mike Botch iun D. C. in August. Email me at Crewchf164@aol.com - I would love to talk to you.

Kaynor Tech Ceremony

Posted: 05/23/2008

I had the opportunity of speaking at the annual Memorial Cremony at Kaynor Technical High School, my High School. This ceremony is to remember the eight students that died in the Vietnam War and one student that died in Iraq. One of my fellow classmates in the Auto Mechanics Shop was Mike Kight. He was killed in May 1967, flying a helicopter in South Vietnam.  I was happy to donate a book to the school's library.

Press Release

Posted: 05/17/2008

For those that might have missed my press release: WATERBURY, Conn., Oct. 9  /PRNewswire/ -- Samuel K. Beamon's new memoir, "Flying Death: The Vietnam Experience" (published by AuthorHouse - http://www.authorhouse.com/), is a story of experiences - and the questions they give rise to - during the '50s and '60s. These are the memories of a black boy who matures into a young man and deals with the issues of that time, including some of the discriminatory practices in civilian and military life. The Vietnam War and the Civil Rights movement were taking center stage. Uncertainty and agitation ruled the day. Basic questions did not yield to easy answers: What kind of country was America? What did it mean to be an American? It is in this environment that Beamon began to understand himself. Enlisting in the Marines after high school in 1965, Beamon is transplanted from his home in Waterbury, Conn., to boot camp at Parris Island, S.C. The culture shock provides an education in race relations, and the tough lessons continue. A childhood friend is killed in the war, and soon afterward Beamon is deployed to Vietnam. There have been many stories of those who served in Vietnam - from combat units to battles to pilots shot down and captured - but "Flying Death" gives a different perspective:   The troops on the ground would hear the sounds of a   helicopter coming into their area. Looking up, they saw   this complex flying machine blowing sand and dust all   around. The chopper brought in anything and everything   that the troops needed. The wounded and dead were   evacuated. Reinforcements were delivered and the troops   were brought back to their camps ... This story is the   memories of a Combat Helicopter Crew Chief doing what was   necessary to accomplish the mission of supporting the   troops. Upon returning home, Beamon is confused and angered to learn that America has turned its back on the Vietnam veterans, an act of discrimination that further cements the friendships he developed in combat. Samuel K. Beamon served as a helicopter crew chief in Vietnam for 19 months. He was honorably discharged from military service in 1969. Beamon recently retired after 28 years of service in the Waterbury Police Department, having attained the rank of lieutenant. He is a licensed private pilot and lives in Waterbury. Beamon has two children, Samuel Jr. and Susan Shapiro. More information is available at http://www.sambeamon.com. or email: crewchf164@aol.com.    AuthorHouse is the premier book publisher (http://www.authorhouse.com/) for emerging, self-published (http://www.authorhouse.com/GetPublished/FAQ.aspx) authors. For more information, please visit http://www.authorhouse.com/.   EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact:   Promotional Services Department   Tel: 888-728-8467   Fax: 812-961-3133   Email: pressreleases@authorhouse.com   (When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.)