From: Garry Brill
Date: October 17, 2015
Subject: AFVN Article - Kumm
Enjoyed the read....Thanks for sharing.
Garry B
From: Steve Pennington
Date: October 17, 2015
Subject: AFVN Article - Kumm
Mike.... A super about about a very neat guy.
A nice photo of Mike taken in 2012 but received in 2017.
From: Dick Ellis
Date: October 20, 2015
Subject: AFVN Article - Kumm
I saw it when I was there from July 4th, 1967 until Sept 1968. The large records (33 1/3) in the library even had cuts scratched out with a pocket knife of such songs as "I'm A Comin' Home Soldier" or "I Am a Lonely Soldier" which ever one it was....and "Puff the Magic Dragon." I also saw a stack of 8 X 10 black and whites that came from some PIO that were rubber stamped "Not in the best interest of the military."
Dickie
Michael was a great sportscaster on TV and newsman on radio in Vietnam. I know cause I got to serve alongside him. Looking good, Michael!
[Posted on Facebook by Bob Morecook on October 17, 2015.]
Sounds like a career done well to me. Salute.
[Posted on Facebook by Steven Paul Starnes on October 17, 2015]
From: Billy Williams
Date: October 20, 2015
Subject: AFVN Article - Kumm
Excellent article, Mike.
One curious part though.
"The disc jockey with American Forces Vietnam Network couldn’t play songs such as “Leaving on a Jet Plane” by Peter, Paul and Mary or Freda Payne’s “Band of Gold.” Those melancholy melodies were banned from the radio station for their references to lonesome feelings, sadness, separation and gloom of loves lost and left behind."
While at AFVN , my experience was very different. I played "Band of Gold" and "Jet Plane" many times at AFVN Saigon and Da Nang in 1971-72. Never heard about them being banned--or any melancholy melody consideration.
For DJ's convenience, "Jet Plane" even had a slot on the control room wall cartridge racks as a top song for 1970.
Billy Williams
the slide show and then scroll down through the PDF. You may also enter the photo number in the box at the top of the PDF viewer. The number may be one higher than shown in the Index depending upon whether or not a "title page" is included at the beginning of the PDF.Please note that the PDF slide file will show in another tab or another window depending upon which browser you are using and your browser's settings. Because some of these slide shows are fairly large files, it may take a few seconds for them to appear.
From: Mike Kumm
Date: October 17, 2015
Subject: AFVN Article - Kumm
The Sioux City Journal (our local newspaper) is doing an article on 50 Vietnam Veterans culminating on Veteran’s Day this year. Today, the article was about me.
From: Rick Fredericksen
Date: October 17, 2015
Subject: AFVN Article - Kumm
Very nice Michael. I'm only 3 hours from you, in Des Moines. Let's meet up some time.
Rick
From: Jean LeRoy
Date: October 20, 2015
Subject: AFVN Article - Kumm
I think there were different lists at different times, I played those and a few others that I have heard as being banned. Ruby don’t take your love to town was always on the list as far as I know. I played We gotta get outta this place every shift I ever worked in Saigon.
Slide Show
48 PhotosMike in his "new uniform" as a Lutheran Pastor. Mike Kumm upon his retirement from the Air Force as a Command Chief Master Sergeant.Michael Kumm Sgt, USAF Saigon 1972-73
Includes some comments about what songs were banned.
Individual Photo Albums & Stories
From: Steve Pennington
Date: October 17, 2015
Subject: AFVN Article - Kumm
Mike I didn't know you were a Gunfighter. I was there in '71-'72 also. The 366th has a reunion every year In 2016 we will be in San Antonio.
Steve
From: Billy Williams
Date: October 20, 2015
Subject: AFVN Article - Kumm
"Gotta Get Out Of This Place" was aired on AFVN. I don't remember it being on cartridge but it was in the music library.
"Vietnam" by Jimmy Cliff was another anthem carted up for easy DJ access at AFVN AM Saigon in 72.
Billy
From: Ken Kalish
Date: October 20, 2015
Subject: AFVN Article - Kumm
I played “The Letter” as my exit song in 1969, and “Leaving on a Jet Plane” many times. It was a plaintive song, but not banned. I was in Saigon from the first of May in 1968 to the last day of February in 1969. We weren’t supposed to play “Don’t Take Your Love to Town,” but I did hear it on Go.
Ken
VIETNAM: Service with Honor: Rev. Michael Kumm, Sioux CityThe Rev. Michael Kumm, a Vietnam veteran who worked for the American Forces Vietnam Network radio-television service in Saigon during the war, poses for a photo at the baptistry in the sanctuary of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Dakota Dunes, where he serves as the pastor.
[Link goes to an on-line article from the Sious City Journal.]
From: Billy Williams
Date: October 20, 2015
Subject: AFVN Article - Kumm
The only song that I saw official paperwork on--stating not to play was "Bring The Boys Home." Otherwise, the complete music library was available when I was at AFVN.
Since much of AFVN AM's programming came from AFRTS-LA, bans would be difficult to enforce without creating a lot of extra work.
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The Kumm's and Nelson's had a "Mini Reunion" at the Riu Palace in Nassau, February 2018. Had a great time.
Wish you all would have been here!
[Posted on Facebook.]