Chaplain

Chaplains Corner

 As of February 20, 2026

Best wishes to all that read this newsletter. Wow! It’s been a long time since we departed
Fort Benning and the Air Force MATS carried us to a place called Viet Nam. We arrived at
Vinh Long in July of 1964 and joined another aviation unit that had gotten there before us.
Because of their presence the US Army Corp of Engineers had our hooch’s constructed along
with toilets and sheds to repair aircraft in. They had the Officers and enlisted men’s clubs
ready to provide us all with good food and drink.
In fact, the gunships had a Cobra snake on the nose panel and Bell Helicopter had sent tech
reps to assist with repairs and they went back to the states and proceeded to build the Cobra
attack gunship and insisted that the Army name it the Cobra!
A s it turned out I was sent back to Viet Nam in 1967 and was initially assigned to the Cobra
unit. I was then promoted t o Major and sent t o Can Tho Battalion HQ. I was part of helping the
Vietnamese with the aircraft scheduling. I finished my tour there. My next tour was in
Germany and soon I was pulled out and sent back to Vietnam for a third tour. I was part of the
: Cavalry Div.
Since those many years ago my life has changed immensely. My wife of 60 years, Linda
Minyard Isbell, passed on Christmas Day three years ago. Recently I have married a wonderful
lady named Sue. She is the most wonderful lady and spends her time helping me and my
daughter and when she’s not doing that, she helps the ladies of our church with everything
they need. She also is a great cook, and I need t o b e careful as I don’t need to get bigger!
Some of you met my daughter Cheryl Isbell (62) at the Nashville reunion and she is
continuing to recover and gain her ability to walk and get better. Sue and I take care of her as
she needs daily care. Your prayers for her and myself are greatly appreciated. Thank you!
As you read this, please plan on joining us at this next reunion i n D.C. as it may possibly be
the last one. We plan on being there and meeting with you all. It has always been a wonderful
time. Make plans to attend!
May God Bless you all and look over you and your families as we move on through our lives
and pray for your friends as we all get older and hopefully wiser. Amen!
Ernie Isbell: Former Maverick Pilot.
Section Leader for the Vinh Long Outlaws.
Vinh Long Outlaws Chaplain.

                                       STANDING PRAYER

We gather in gratitude for the brave men and women who served in Vietnam. Their sacrifices, courage, and resilience shaped history, and today, we honor their service.

Bless those who returned home, carrying memories both heavy and triumphant. May they find peace, healing, and the recognition they deserve.

Comfort the families of those who never returned. May their loved ones’ legacies be cherished, and may their hearts find solace in remembrance.

For those still searching for meaning, for those who bear unseen wounds, grant them strength and hope. May they know they are never forgotten.

Let us, as a nation, uphold our promise to honor and support our veterans—not just in words, but in action.

May we always remember that freedom comes at great cost, and may we strive to be worthy of the sacrifices made.

Amen.