Sept. 6 - 12, 2013
bringing the local news home to northwest Guilford County since 1996 • nwobserver.com •
Unlikely Warriors Veterans Gary Blackburn and Lonnie Long author a book about top secret Vietnam missions
by MIKE SHAW OAK RIDGE – To say Gary Blackburn of Oak Ridge and Lonnie Long of Davidson have been busy lately would be an understatement. The two men have spent the past four months traveling the country to promote their new book, Unlikely Warriors: The Army Security Agency’s Secret War in Vietnam 1961-1973 to Vietnam War and Army Security Agency veterans. The two veterans have gotten used to signing copies of their book, published in May, and receiving “fan mail” from the many men, women and even teens who have read their book chroni-
cling the 12-year history of the Army Security Agency’s missions during the Vietnam War. At one point, the book ranked 14th in its genre on Amazon and has been well-received by the intelligence community and Vietnam War veterans. “The response has been amazing,” Blackburn said. Until now, there has been very little published on the Army Security Agency’s actions in Vietnam, said Blackburn. Much of what is now known of the group has all been declassified within the past five years.
...continued on p. 5
Photo courtesy of Gary Blackburn
Lonnie Long, left, and Oak Ridge’s Gary Blackburn pose beside a poster promoting their book signing for Unlikely Warriors. Unlikely Warriors, published in May, chronicles the Army Security Agency’s mission in Vietnam.
Photo by Annette Joyce/NWO
A celebration of pets, this mural graces the exterior wall of Big Burger Spot, located at 3750-A Battleground Avenue in northwest Greensboro.
See story on p. 6
IN THIS ISSUE News in Brief ....................................... 3 Your questions ................................... 4 Retirement is bittersweet................... 6 Celebration/Bits & Pieces................. 8 Pets & Critters ..................................... 9 Colorful pet tribute .......................... 10 ‘A Night of Stars’............................... 12 Pet Adoptions....................................13 Crime/Incident Report .....................14 Community Calendar..................... 18 Letters/Opinions ............................. 22 Around Town Photos ........................ 23 Grins & Gripes .................................. 26 Classifieds ........................................ 27 Index of Advertisers .........................31