View Full Version : Phuc United Airlines
NamGrunt68
07-06-02, 06:28 AM
A bro o mine posted this over at another club i belong to....the same damn thing happened to Joe Foss a few months back...just another damn example of what's wrong with our Country !!!!
----- Original Message -----
From: Sergeant Major Larry E. Gugle, USMC, Retired
Sent: Thursday, July 04, 2002 6:52 PM
Subject: John Finn Humiliated by United Airlines last week
All,
I just received this from Colonel Wesley L. Fox, USMC, Retired (The only surviving Medal of Honor Recipient from the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines in Vietnam):
Greetings, I am both saddened and outraged to pass along the following:
Last week John Finn, at age 93 (he'll be 94 on July 24th) was returning from a reunion of the USS Hancock in New Orleans. His escorts were unable to continue with him beyond security, and were not aware until the following day that John was:
1) Accused of having a potential weapon in his pocket; a five pointed object with "sharp" edges ... security AGAIN could not differentiate between the Navy Medal Of Honor and a martial arts throwing "star" ...
2) Held in a security area and forced to remove his boots. John, despite his bad knees and advanced age, has trouble even getting his boots on or off, but in the style that is uniquely John's, he wears them everywhere he goes.
3) Denied any personal help, up to - and including - a wheel chair, and held despite a bad case of diarrhea until he was most sadly humiliated and had to change his clothing.
4) Told that his United Airlines ticket would not be honored unless he could produce the credit card that bought it. ("... For all we know, this ticket was purchased with a stolen credit card," he was told.) Since the ticket had been purchased by the president of the USS Hancock Association, John was unable to produce the demanded credit card, and therefore had to write a personal check in order to obtain another ticket to get back home.
FRANKLY, I am outraged, especially after the Joe Foss incident a few months ago and the coverage it received. Despite that, these airport employees STILL can't recognize our Nation's highest award for military heroism. For this to happen to John Finn, or any Medal Of Honor recipient for that matter, is an extreme tragedy and shame.
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
FINN, JOHN WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. Entered service at: California. Born: 23 July 1909, Los Angeles, Calif.
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism distinguished service, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, on 7 December 1941, Lt. Finn promptly secured and manned a .50-caliber machinegun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machinegun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times, he continued to man this gun and to return the enemy's fire vigorously and with telling effect throughout the enemy strafing and bombing attacks and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. It was only by specific orders that he was persuaded to leave his post to seek medical attention. Following first aid treatment, although obviously suffering much pain and moving with great difficulty, he returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. His extraordinary heroism and conduct in this action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The leadership of the USS Hancock Association has vented their outrage in letters to the White House, the American Legion, VFW, United Airlines, and others.
Semper Fidelis
Sergeant Major Larry E. Gugle
(United States Marine Corps, Retired)
1st Battalion 9th Marines (1/9) Network, Inc.
Membership Committee Chairman
TeufelHunden
07-06-02, 07:11 AM
...The guy **** his pants whilst going through the security cluster screw?!? UAL oughta be downright ashamed of the security personnel involved. Random checks my ass! I agree Dane Phuc 'em! My list of desireable airlines upon which to travel is shrinking every day!!!
wrbones
07-06-02, 07:50 AM
It's what everything comes down to. You never know who's sitting beside you. Could be Jet Li. Kick yer a$$ in a heart beat. Could be some billionaire captain of industry. Could be a hero, who suffered to make you and me free. Could be someone you might learn something from. Could be someone you might be able to teach a little something to help them get along a little better in this present "vale of tears". We've been force fed fear for quite some time by the media and I'm sorry to say , by folks in our government. Fear creates discord, and gives folks in position of power a chance to gain more power, no matter the cost. As always follow the money. Who benefits, and who loses, and what. Keep your eyes open, people, My opinion, and that's all it is, is that things are only gonna get worse. The behaviour of those folks is shameful. Hope their Mom's and Dad's are proud of of 'em all.
Arty101
07-06-02, 09:02 AM
I am virtually beyond all emotion... but anger.
I can't believe we allow this treatment by the airlines to continue.
thedrifter
07-06-02, 09:23 AM
Here is a picture of John Finn, thought you all might like to see him.
Sempers,
Roger
Sixguns
07-06-02, 09:59 AM
I frequently travel. And UAL is my least favorite carrier. In fact, when I was traveling the other week with another Marine, we had the opportunity to witness the poor customer relations environment. When the other Marine sought and finally got the attention of someone from UAL, he went off. Surprisingly, the company's CEO had been talking with the employee who became the focus of the Marine's complaint. The CEO was totally shocked about the things he heard about his company's customer service and explained his company's customer satisfaction rating had never been higher.
The events and actions outlined in this post are nothing short of disgusting. UAL should be ashamed of its treatment of this hero and should have practices in place to handle similar situations with elderly passengers and those who may require assistance. If this story were to make the headlines or the newscast, UAL would be getting tons of hate mail. What do you think it would do to their chances of getting the government loans they recently asked for?? UAL should come clean. Apologize and beg for forgiveness.
Sixguns
NamGrunt68
07-06-02, 10:35 AM
More biography and pictures of John Finn while he was in Service at this url:
http://www.quarterdeck.org/book/finn.htm
This is what happens when good, old-fashioned 'common sense' gets lost. This country has become so afraid to make 'a mistake' that it has gone to extremes.
As I saw elesewhere, what can you expect from a society that wouldn't know a 'Medal Of Honor', or any other award for bravery, if it hit them in the face.
ALL veterans ought to write United and promise to never fly on their airline again until they issue a national public apology to Mr. Finn (press, radio and TV).
these miserable S.O.B'S wont never own up! too damn worried 'bout their 'ALL-MIGHTY DOLLARS' they'll never get a buck off'n me!
mpwildes
07-07-02, 11:00 PM
If this story is completly factual then we need to respond with written and verbal force, our voices need to be heard on this issue.
help me in complaining to the proper people, email them to death until we get answers.
here's one link to UAL Complaints. I would suggest CNN and for you retired and ones out of the Marines. Email the CMC about it. boycott UAL and book with another travel company for business and personal travel.
http://www.ual.com/site/primaryNC/1,13494,2076,00.html
BabyHuey
07-07-02, 11:04 PM
Originally posted by NamGrunt68
A bro o mine posted this over at another club i belong to....the same damn thing happened to Joe Foss a few months back...just another damn example of what's wrong with our Country !!!!
Thanks for sharing this Dane. United airlines ain't in my future, you betcha! :fu:
BabyHuey
07-07-02, 11:13 PM
Originally posted by Sixguns
... UAL is my least favorite carrier...
Hiya Sixguns, I share your outrage. Checked your profile, almost 20. Hand salute to you, amigo. Semper Fi.
mineman6970
07-07-02, 11:13 PM
Originally posted by NamGrunt68
A bro o mine posted this over at another club i belong to....the same damn thing happened to Joe Foss a few months back...just another damn example of what's wrong with our Country !!!!
----- Original Message -----
From: Sergeant Major Larry E. Gugle, USMC, Retired
Sent: Thursday, July 04, 2002 6:52 PM
Subject: John Finn Humiliated by United Airlines last week
All,
I just received this from Colonel Wesley L. Fox, USMC, Retired (The only surviving Medal of Honor Recipient from the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines in Vietnam):
Greetings, I am both saddened and outraged to pass along the following:
Last week John Finn, at age 93 (he'll be 94 on July 24th) was returning from a reunion of the USS Hancock in New Orleans. His escorts were unable to continue with him beyond security, and were not aware until the following day that John was:
1) Accused of having a potential weapon in his pocket; a five pointed object with "sharp" edges ... security AGAIN could not differentiate between the Navy Medal Of Honor and a martial arts throwing "star" ...
2) Held in a security area and forced to remove his boots. John, despite his bad knees and advanced age, has trouble even getting his boots on or off, but in the style that is uniquely John's, he wears them everywhere he goes.
3) Denied any personal help, up to - and including - a wheel chair, and held despite a bad case of diarrhea until he was most sadly humiliated and had to change his clothing.
4) Told that his United Airlines ticket would not be honored unless he could produce the credit card that bought it. ("... For all we know, this ticket was purchased with a stolen credit card," he was told.) Since the ticket had been purchased by the president of the USS Hancock Association, John was unable to produce the demanded credit card, and therefore had to write a personal check in order to obtain another ticket to get back home.
FRANKLY, I am outraged, especially after the Joe Foss incident a few months ago and the coverage it received. Despite that, these airport employees STILL can't recognize our Nation's highest award for military heroism. For this to happen to John Finn, or any Medal Of Honor recipient for that matter, is an extreme tragedy and shame.
The President of the United States
in the name of The Congress
takes pleasure in presenting the
Medal of Honor
to
FINN, JOHN WILLIAM
Rank and organization: Lieutenant, U.S. Navy. Place and date: Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. Entered service at: California. Born: 23 July 1909, Los Angeles, Calif.
Citation:
For extraordinary heroism distinguished service, and devotion above and beyond the call of duty. During the first attack by Japanese airplanes on the Naval Air Station, Kaneohe Bay, on 7 December 1941, Lt. Finn promptly secured and manned a .50-caliber machinegun mounted on an instruction stand in a completely exposed section of the parking ramp, which was under heavy enemy machinegun strafing fire. Although painfully wounded many times, he continued to man this gun and to return the enemy's fire vigorously and with telling effect throughout the enemy strafing and bombing attacks and with complete disregard for his own personal safety. It was only by specific orders that he was persuaded to leave his post to seek medical attention. Following first aid treatment, although obviously suffering much pain and moving with great difficulty, he returned to the squadron area and actively supervised the rearming of returning planes. His extraordinary heroism and conduct in this action were in keeping with the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The leadership of the USS Hancock Association has vented their outrage in letters to the White House, the American Legion, VFW, United Airlines, and others.
Semper Fidelis
Sergeant Major Larry E. Gugle
(United States Marine Corps, Retired)
1st Battalion 9th Marines (1/9) Network, Inc.
Membership Committee Chairman
_____________________
Ya know, Brother, I aint so young any more, and the time I have to think about maybe takin a **** or a **** aint that far between ****ten or ****in my drawers!;)
BabyHuey
07-07-02, 11:19 PM
Originally posted by mpwildes
If this story is completly factual then we need to respond with written and verbal force, our voices need to be heard on this issue.
help me in complaining to the proper people, email them to death until we get answers.
here's one link to UAL Complaints. I would suggest CNN and for you retired and ones out of the Marines. Email the CMC about it. boycott UAL and book with another travel company for business and personal travel.
http://www.ual.com/site/primaryNC/1,13494,2076,00.html
I know folks are working on locating the media on this issue. Stuff like this makes me wanna scream.
Hey, where are you on Oki? Man, I bet that place has changed since the late sixties.
BabyHuey
07-07-02, 11:22 PM
Originally posted by mineman6970
_____________________
Ya know, Brother, I aint so young any more, and the time I have to think about maybe takin a **** or a **** aint that far between ****ten or ****in my drawers!;)
Hey Mines, you're here. Cool! Don't know what you said, but right on.
NamGrunt68
07-08-02, 04:08 AM
Originally posted by mineman6970
_____________________
Ya know, Brother, I aint so young any more, and the time I have to think about maybe takin a **** or a **** aint that far between ****ten or ****in my drawers!;)
HEY MINEMAN.......SPEAK ENGLISH !! I AIN'T SMART ENUFF TO DECIPHER ALL DEM ASTERIKS !!! LMMFAO !!!!!
Midnight
07-08-02, 10:44 AM
Originally posted by BabyHuey
I know folks are working on locating the media on this issue. Stuff like this makes me wanna scream.
Hey, where are you on Oki? Man, I bet that place has changed since the late sixties.
Does the Rabbit still give cherry boys a freebie. Some o you ol salts might rememebr the Rabbit.
Anyway common fcukin sense has been replaced by coordinated politically coorect responses, resulting in a clusterfcuk of unprecedented proportions. Until the airline security gets real and govt. starts acting responsible we will continue to see outrageous bull****.
Midnight
07-08-02, 10:47 AM
Originally posted by mineman6970
_____________________
Ya know, Brother, I aint so young any more, and the time I have to think about maybe takin a **** or a **** aint that far between ****ten or ****in my drawers!;)
Well fcuk me in da petunias mistah Mines, I do believe I agrees witchu.
NamNuts
07-09-02, 11:35 AM
Originally posted by mineman6970
_____________________
Ya know, Brother, I aint so young any more, and the time I have to think about maybe takin a **** or a **** aint that far between ****ten or ****in my drawers!;)
Damn Mines...my morse code don't work anymore ***_***_
JAMarine
07-09-02, 03:49 PM
I personally have just written UAL a message. Lets see if I get any response.
I am totally embarrased for this man due to this (reported) event.
And I build their Airplanes?
My Oh My!
Sixguns
07-09-02, 05:20 PM
Hopefully, by now, the Order of the Purple Heart, other MOH winners and every veteran's group known to American man has complained to United Airlines.
I imagine this will cause just as much commotion internally as the fact that a UAL plane was used in the terrorist attacks last September.
Like JAM, I am eager to see the correspondence that flows from UAL as a result of the letters that make their way to corporate headquarters. I bet they'll need some music for their tap dance!!!
Sixguns
mpwildes
07-11-02, 06:16 AM
This is one of those stories I hope to see floating around on our work accounts. Those usmc.mil ones. Then all will know in the corps.
wannabe chaser
07-25-06, 08:09 AM
NOW HEAR THIS. The original author of the letter in question was written by one Larry E. Gugle. Mr. Gugle has an EXTENSIVE expose written about him at http://pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies1060.htm . His name also comes up in some interesting places when you do a Google search.
OLE SARG
07-25-06, 08:55 AM
I sent this IDIOT airlines (I use that word loosely) my regards and I demanded a reply!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I told them had I been present when this "incident" occurred, there probably would have been blood shed!!!!
I also advised them they would never have to worry about my business with their company!!!!!
Ended email with "Semper Fi" and then noted (FOR IDIOT READING THIS MEANS ALWAYS FAITHFUL)!!!
Some One Should Send This To Bill O*reilly--he*d Make Ual Look Stupider Than They Already Are
MIKECHRY
07-25-06, 11:36 AM
i just sent this to Bill Oreilly and every other fox news email address i could find. they will get to the bottom of this and tear somebody a new one!
David Jameson
07-25-06, 11:55 AM
Someone should loose his or her job for this.I'M wondering if this might have been done on purpose for whatever reason .I can't think of anyone being that frigin stupid
Since this was written in 2002, does anyone know what hapened?
adnegron
07-25-06, 04:31 PM
If this story is completly factual then we need to respond with written and verbal force, our voices need to be heard on this issue.
help me in complaining to the proper people, email them to death until we get answers.
here's one link to UAL Complaints. I would suggest CNN and for you retired and ones out of the Marines. Email the CMC about it. boycott UAL and book with another travel company for business and personal travel.
http://www.ual.com/site/primaryNC/1,13494,2076,00.html
That link no longer works, I just tried it. Had to do some searching on the new site, but this is the new link for complaints.
http://www.united.com/page/specialpage/0,1451,2076,00.html?navSource=Customer+relations&linkTitle=Email+customer+relations
Camper51
07-25-06, 05:17 PM
This story is partially true. Check out Snopes.Com
http://www.snopes.com/military/medal.htm<SCRIPT src="../styles/sendpage.js"></SCRIPT>
The guy never messed himself...
This story is also FOUR years old. It does not need to be rehashed at this late date...
LOOK AT THE DATE OF THE ORIGINAL POSTS IN HERE!!! 2002...
fontman
07-25-06, 07:08 PM
That SgtMaj Gugle was busted a few months ago aboard the Marine Open Discussion Forum at MilitaryDotCom.
He is/was a poser, as well.
:mad:
fontman
07-25-06, 07:14 PM
More details below, re: Gugle
http://www.pownetwork.org/phonies/phonies243.htm
redneck13
07-26-06, 03:36 PM
:mad: :evilgrin: :flag: "WHAT A CROCK!!" An older Man/Marine, is going to what?, Hijack a plane with a pocket Kung Fu Throwing star? Or with a k-knife? In a Wheel Chair? I'd like to spit sum beechnut 'n that's dudes' eye's or __________'em with my 45, cause he need's his ace kicked, that being them "idiot" "stupid" "numbaces!!! If nothing else...it's a total lack of respect for their Elder's. I'm writing a letter to UAL, (they suck anyhow) and give them a good piece of my mind. Hard to understand so much anymore......