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Feedback and Reviews for "Thunder in the Night" |
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Feedback and Reviews for "Thunder in the Night" |
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| From: |
Peggy Amidon - M.ED Counseling Psychology, Temple University Executive Director R.I.SK Seminars Inc. |
| Having spent much of the 70s
counseling Post Traumatic Stress Disorder in veterans, Kopp’s book
disquietingly returned me to memories of those days and feelings of fear,
anger, frustration and hopeless inadequacy; some of these feelings shared
by client and counselor alike. Thunder in the Night reminds us that we, as a society, cannot afford to repeat the mistakes that led to such widespread emotional turmoil. Today I counsel the children of those vets, many struggling through a quagmire of drug, alcohol and physical abuse and I can’t help but think these generations are related in ways that are poignantly illuminated in this book. Peggy Amidon - M.ED Counseling Psychology, Temple University |
| From: |
Brigitte Sullivan - MSSA, LSW |
| Ray, I have read your
book and wanted to tell you how impressed I am . You give a very honest
account. I like your writing style and am absolutely amazed at the fine
details that you remember. You shared very clearly in your book when you
had to shut down in order to protect yourself and maintain what was
required of you. I also was fascinated by the detailed account of the
tactical maneuvers in that bay. Hey - I now also know what a cruiser is -
at least I think I do. I can not imagine what it must have been like to be in Vietnam at the ripe old age of twenty. Let alone finding the courage to share your experience years later. I have great respect for your accomplishments. I also gained a much better understanding about that war. Interestingly enough PBS had a program last night about the Vietnam War. I also wanted to let you know that this is the first book that I read all the way through that discusses war. I usually break down (don't ask me why) and then can not finish. Hugs, |
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From: |
Robert Leverone, Captain, USN (retired). the Executive Officer of the USS Newport News (CA-148) during the period my book was written about. Captain Leverone is the senior-most, (living), member of the naval officer staff present for that deployment. |
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Dear Ray, Just finished reading your book. Congratulations on capturing and expressing the pressures caused by the constant high tempo of operations almost always under the gun. This is an important addition to naval history. Best regards, Bob Leverone (Captain Leverone now lives in Vero Beach, FL.) |
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From: |
Bill Firman - USS Newport News Crew member. M.ED |
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Ray I served on Newport News as a Fire Control Technician (FTG2) from 1966-69 and had responsibility for the Main Battery plotting rooms, fire control computers and radars for both of the first two Westpac cruises. Because my responsibilities there were a little different than yours, my perspectives on the experience differ from yours in some respects -- but, taken as a whole, I saw myself in your 2nd person "Ray" on almost every page of your writing. This, most especially, as regards "Ray's" innermost feelings both during his Vietnam experience and after he returned to a less than receptive homeland. You've made an important contribution to all your shipmates and I can't thank you enough for the gift you've given us all. Forever Your Shipmate, |
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From: |
Lt.Cmdr. Joal C. Stroud. |
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Hi Ray, Just finished reading your book; "Thunder in the Night". Enjoyed it very much. Thanks for the nice comments. I borrowed the book from Kristie Abretski. She had purchased the book with the hopes of reading something about her father, Paul (Ski)Abretski, who served aboard the Newport News when we did. He was the ship's repair officer - later damage control officer. She didn't realize the book was written from a radioman's perspective. Regardless; she enjoyed the book. Her father died several years ago. I left the "News" in December 1974 and went to the Fleet Training Center in Charleston, SC, where I retired in June 1975 as a Lieutenant Commander after 28 years. Enjoyed them all; especially my tour on the Newport News. Had a good bunch of RM's working for me. Ray, I go through Cape May at least twice a year on my way to Atlantic City (money wasting time), by virtue of using the Cape May ferry. Don't know how far you live from the ferry landing, but maybe we could meet there on one of my trips and engage in a little "Newport News" conversation. Even though I read your book, I would like a copy for my library. I placed my order just a few minutes ago on your website. Sincerely, |
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From: |
Judy Carter for William E. Carter ret. US Navy |
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I have just became widowed by one of your readers, William E. Carter. he served 2, 1-year terms in Viet Nam and was a 21 year retired veteran or the US Navy. He read your book and loved every word of it. He praised your work and wanted more of it. I must tell you these words because he wanted to and died before he got the chance. He was military through and through. Anyone that wrote about it and praised it, he applauded them. In his memory, I ask you to continue the good work. Judy Carter for |
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From: |
Newt Robinson, Chief Interior Communications Electrician, USN, Retired
USS Newport News Interior Communications Leading Petty Officer
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Wow! "Thunder in the Night a Sailor's
Perspective on Vietnam" is a must read for all Newport News-men, and
anyone that stood off-shore and fought for the freedom of South Vietnam.
Mom and Dad, you should read this book before it's too late to finally
understand what your son has been trying to tell you for the past thirty
odd years.
From the time I picked the book up, I couldn't put it down. The
vivid images that Ray brought to life recalled dormant memories of that
eight-month long "Summer of '72". Ray conveyed feelings that lay dormant
for over thirty years, and explained things that previously had been a
mystery. He saw Newport News operations from an Operations Department
perspective, one involved directly with the operation of the ship. As a
"Snipe", I saw operations from below decks, and relative to the
Engineering Department.
I consider "Thunder in the Night a Sailor's Perspective on
Vietnam" to be the best historical record of the "Real" Navy's
contribution to the Vietnam War effort. It accurately portrays how the
U.S. Navy turned the war around during the "Summer of '72". Thanks Ray!
You have done more to bring closure for the mistreatment that Vietnam
era Navy Veterans have had to endure than anyone has ever attempted. I
would like to see this book become part of the "Historical Record", and
be placed in school curriculums nation wide.
"Freedom is not free"! America's youth should be taught that fact
before it's too late.
Newt Robinson, Chief Interior Communications Electrician, USN,
Retired
USS Newport News Interior Communications Leading Petty Officer
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From: |
JJ Ott |
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As a member of the 72 WestPac crew, I could
not put the book down once I started reading it. The memories it brought
back, and particularly the fateful Oct 1st night. Its difficult to tell
those stories to people I know, and thats why I bought two books. One to
lend out and one to keep and cherish. I wish you much success on your
next books and look forward to reading them.
JJ Ott
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From: |
Judie Simmers |
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Dear Mr. Kopp
First I want to say, as a mother, wife, daughter, woman back in
the 70's when you and others were off fighting an unpopular war, THANK
YOU! My brother was on the Newpy News during your days there also. He
bought your book and loaned it to me to read. I have never really hugged
him and thanked him in all these years for his efforts on that ship. I
will now! For thirteen years I worked at a crisis call in center. I
spoke to many Vietnam vets that were in so much hurt as you were. I
shed many tears for both the one I listened to and our country at the
end of our conversations. I am not quite sure why I felt compelled to
write you. Reading your very well written book, it put into perspective
what my then 19 year old brother must have gone thru. When the USS
Newport News rounded the Chesapeake bay on that infamous Christmas
Eve...I was there in person to welcome my brother home....home at last.
Again Thank you so much for what you did then and for writing a
wonderful book
Judie Simmers....Newark Ohio
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From: |
CHARLIE HURD (CA-148 crew member) |
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READING THUNDER IN THE NIGHT SHOOK ME TO THE BONE, March 16, 2005 "As Second Division Officer so many years ago
(1967), one of my responsibilities aboard Thunder included the 8" guns and
ammo as well as the men who manned the turrets and magazines. Your
description in Chapter 20, "Chaos and Calm" and in Chapter 21, "The Dead
and the Demoralized" which describes in detail your personal memories of
the explosion in Turret No. 2 which killed 20 shipmates shook me to the
bone. Although I had left NN 4 years prior to the accident, I knew only in
brief terms what had transpired. Your well written account gave me, for
the first time in all these years, the opportunity to read in detail about
what actually happened. What a horrible experience you lived through but
were able to write about! CHARLIE HURD |
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From: |
Pete Martelly |
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Ray: just returned from a much needed vacation in Hilton Head.
I finished the book in 2 days and couldn't put it down. I remember you
guys! We used to watch the big 8's unload during gunfire missions. I'll
never forget the sight. I was on the Buchanan (DDG-14). I also remember
the Turret #2 tragedy. We took a hit during a day-time raid on Haiphong
Harbor. My friend Davis died. He was sitting right below where the
incoming hit the 01 level. Spooky part was that I was supposed to be
sitting next to him. Let me know if you have time or are interested in
that story, I'll be glad to write back with it. My Navy career (5 1/2
years) was a bit unorthodox, to say the least.
The book is great. You've done all of us a
great service that can't be repaid. You've honored all those who
sacrificed so much. I know you've had a few bumps along the way, I wish
you a long, healthy and happy life going forward. If you're ever in the
Peoples Republic of Massachusetts, let me know, maybe we could grab a
coffee and a few sea stories.
Pete Martelly |
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From: |
Bernie Ditter |
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Raymond S. Kopp was a key member of the
communications engineering crew on the heavy cruiser USS Newport News
(CA 148) AKA Thunder during the closing months of the Viet Nam War. A
Task Unit had been formed with two smaller cruisers and two destroyers
to deploy to an area around Haiphong to begin heavy off shore
bombardment of North Viet Nam installations. Previously their mission
had been to support the troops on the ground in their engagements.
From early May 1972 until December the unit
conducted 68 strike raids against North Viet Nam expending more than
50,000 rounds of eight and five inch artillery and hundreds of support
missions in the south.
Ray gives us a first hand account of the
toll that this experience took on the crew and himself. While receiving
incoming rounds during each of the raids in North Viet Nam the "Thunder"
and her crew were spared any losses from this threat. As they
occasionally took shrapnel they began to wonder when the big one might
hit. They knew that a direct hit could destroy the ship and at best
leave the survivors in shark and snake infested waters a couple of miles
off the coast of North Viet Nam. The continued at risk situations had an
impact on the crew and following an explosion in turret two resulting
in the loss of twenty men the Captain persuaded Command that the crew
was so demoralized as to question their operational readiness. They were
sent home.
What sets this book apart is the fact that
it this was the first major naval engagement of its kind in more than
two decades. Also it clearly expedited the end of the war as it drove
the North Viet Namese to the bargaining table and peace talks resumed
resulting in the peace accords ending the conflict.
Ray's knowledge of his engineering crews'
role and the equipment that they operated was impressive. His stories of
shore leave in Subic Bay and in Hong Kong will certainly resonate with
veterans of Korea if not with those of WWII. I am pleased that he has
found his life again. --Reviewer: Bernie Ditter
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From: |
Milton Avidreader |
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Until I read this book, I had no idea that
Vietnam era sailors participated in this type of up close action with the
enemy. Great book, well written, entertaining and informative. I would
recomend this book to anyone who wants to know more about naval operations
in Vietnam and the emotions of the sailors who experienced these battles
-- Milton Avidreader, NJ |
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From: |
Harold L. White |
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Ray: I received your book safely in the
mail. I wanted you to know that I went on board the Newport News the
same year as you did February 3rd 1970 and thanks for signing my copy. I
started my time on the N.N. checked into 4th division while in dry-dock
in Portsmouth Va. and transferred to S-3 Division where I made my rate
as 3rd class Ship Serviceman. I operated the dry cleaning plant in the
same compartment with the
tailor amidships across the passageway from the gedunk. I remember
our Wes-Pac to Vietnam and our many nights of general quarters with
vivid memory I really never got over the experience. I also stood watch
in CIC next to a radioman by the name of Cooper for a period of time. I
noticed that you gave credit to Walsworth Publishing Co. our cruise book
was published in my hometown of Marceline Missouri. My picture is on
page 153 with S-3 Division. I am so elated that you have taken time to
tell our story
of the brave young men who served proudly and gave their lives in
service of their country.
Thanks Again Shipmate,
Harold L. White
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From: |
Neil R. Gordon |
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Thanks Ray. I was reading the book again this weekend. Service
on USS Newport News is not complete until you’ve read Thunder In The
Night. (Sure, go ahead and quote me!)
Regards,
Neil R. Gordon
Waltham MA 02451
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