SAMUEL K. BEAMON

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.)

UCONN Course Rescheduled	Posted: 03/06/2008
I am sad to inform you that my course Blacks in the Military has been rescheduled to the fall semester 2008.  It was decided this would give us time to get the word out for an increased enrollment in the course. Books sales are continuing to rise - Thank you for your support. Semper Fi - Sam

Available Books	Posted: 02/21/2008
Today, I attended a class at the Waterbury Campus of the University of Connecticut - I was told to checkout the Co-Op Store in the building. I walked into the store and over to the book counter. To my amazement there it was --- MY BOOK on the self. It was the first time that I saw my book on a store shelf for sale. It was an awesome feeling. One step at a time.

OLLI - UCONN Waterbury Branch

Posted: 02/08/2008

I am delighted to announce that I will be teaching a course at the Waterbury Branch of UCONN with the Osher Life Long Institute (OLLI). It is a noncredited course. The title is Blacks in the Military - An Untold Story. The course is four weeks - from 1:15 to 3:00 PM and given on Friday afternoons. It starts on March 7, 2008. The course is about contributions of Blacks to this country in the military. It is open to all - Come and learn something about this untold history.

Saturday Morning Mayhem	Posted: 01/12/2008
I did an on air interview wth Vinnie Banda on WATR and his show Saturday Morning Mayhem - I even became one of his Saddle Pals -- Thanks Vinnie

WATR Radio Interview	Posted: 01/04/2008
I did a one hour radio interview with Ed Flynn - Talk of the Town - on radio station WATR in Waterbury -- Thanks Ed for a good time

Mattatuck Museum

Posted: 12/15/2007

A special thanks goes out to the management and staff of the Mattatuck Museum for hosting my book signing. The veterans groups - VFW 201, American Legion Post 135 and the Brass City Detachment of the Marine Corps League for sponsoring this event. Professor Brian Chapman of UCONN Waterbury Branch and the OLLII Program. Thank you all for your support. The lecture was difficult for me because of the recent loss of my two friends. Semper Fi - Sam

Dave Caldon

Posted: 12/15/2007

I received word yesterday that Retired Lt. Colonel David Caldon passed away on 12/14/07 at 5:30 PM. He was not only a Marine, an Officer, Pilot and Silver Star recipient, but a good friend. He stood tall in stature and character. His warm smile will be missed by all that knew him. There is another gap in my life and words cannot express my sadness over the loss of this True American Hero. He has taken his last flight and returned to his home base. He is at rest for a job well done. Thank you Colonel for all that you did for me, you will never be forgotten. My prayers are with Susie and his family during this difficult time.