April 22, 2020
Liz Writes Life
JH Ranch
The JH Ranch has decided to close its camping and guest
activities for the entire year. Through a post on facebook.com, the business
had said it hoped to open in May. Then, protection from the covid-19 virus pandemic
began putting states and communities into lockdown. Needless to say, there were
concerns about an influx of people into Scott Valley. Ray Haupt, our Dist. 5
Siskiyou Co. Supervisor, told me he received many emails and phone calls about fears
of the guest ranch opening.
Ray told me that he and county department officials made
phone calls to JH’s headquarters in Alabama and talked with JH Ranch Director,
Jonathan LeDuc, regarding the situation. To the relief of many residents, JH recently
announced on its website that it will close for the summer season. A big thank
you should go out to Ray and county officials for the positive outcome on this JH
issue.
As of Monday, Scott Valley has not had any confirmed cases of
covid-19 virus. There has been gossip of someone claiming to have it. This is
not true, or at least, this person has not been confirmed by Siskiyou Co. Public
Health and medical staff.
According to the Siskiyou Co. Public Health Dept. website,
there have only been five confirmed covid-19 cases in our county. Four have
recovered and one is still active. Of the 215 individuals tested, 202 were
negative. Eight are awaiting results and there have been no deaths. This is
good news for sure.
Scams
Please, please, please do not be hoodwinked by scams,
especially regarding the possibility of receiving your CARES Relief Act stimulus
funds quickly. There are numerous reports of too-good-to-be-true scams and
people asking for your social security number and bank account numbers. Never
give these out to anyone through email, text or phone calls; or anyone knocking
at your door. This is not how the IRS works and the money will be sent by the
IRS.
Also, be very careful when you are selling something online
on any website. A friend recently told me a possible buyer asked for a bank
account number to transfer the funds. Do not do this! Instead, call our
sheriff’s department and let them investigate, especially if you have been able
to get a name or address of the alleged buyer.
Ace Cozzalio
One of Siskiyou County’s own Vietnam-era helicopter pilots
was set to be inducted into the Army Aviation Hall of Fame this week, on April
23, 2020. Because of the covid-19 virus pandemic, the big Army Aviation Summit meeting
has been postponed, but you can bet it will happen, and Lt. Col. Ace Cozzalio,
who died April 30, 1993 of a failed heart transplant, will be given yet another
honor for his distinguished military service and heroic missions.
Currently, there are 172 members in the Army Aviation Hall of
Fame and only three new members are inducted each year. While flying in
Vietnam, Ace received a significant number of medals including the Silver Star,
Distinguished Flying Crosses, Soldier’s Medal, many commendations of valor and
two Purple Hearts -- from a bullet to his neck and a broken jaw during a crash
on an early mission.
Ace was a natural-born leader and motivated his fellow
Cavalry soldiers by encouraging the wearing of yellow Army Civil War-era
scarves and authentic silver-belly cowboy hats. Ace, quite often, donned an
1873 Cavalry uniform and almost always carried an 1860 saber. After all, they
were originally a cavalry unit that just switched from horses to helicopters. He
was good at keeping up morale.
I have been reading a book, blogs and news articles about Ace,
who was born in Ashland, OR in 1946. He was quite the character and cowboy
having grown-up on the family ranch outside of Hornbrook on the Klamath River. When
given the chance by the Army, Ace eagerly embraced flying. He quickly gained
the skills needed to fly the small, two-manned, Loach Hughes OH-6A helicopters
nicknamed “War Wagons” and the bigger helicopters. But, he found his forte with
the Lighthorse Air Cavalry, (D Troop, 3rd of the 5th
Cavalry) hugging the ground and skimming tree tops flying lead missions
scouting for the enemy. His courage, determination and downright “guts” made
him an undeniable force. When being shot at by the enemy, he was known to nose-down
and attack straight into battle. Other pilots and gunners retell amazing
exploits. Yes, he was shot down and crashed six times and had aerial mechanical
problems, but lived to go at it again and again.
I called Rex Cozzalio, who was planning (along with family) to
accept Ace’s newest award at the Army Aviation Hall of Fame meeting. Rex
continues to miss his best friend and older brother. He said it is “wonderful”
for Ace to receive this newest recognition. Rex and Ace grew up fishing and
playing in the Klamath River, riding horses and working cattle on the ranch.
Ace was driving tractor at age 9. They were Team Roping partners and played in
a country band together. Rex said that as a teen, Ace wanted to be a rock star
and was a very good musician.
In the mid-1960s, the Draft called Ace’s number, so he
decided to enlist and ended-up in the Cavalry. He did several tours in Vietnam
and stayed in the Army providing training for new soldiers. It was while doing
field training in Kansas, when the Epstein-Barr virus attacked his heart. The
Army medically retired Ace around 1986 and he returned to the ranch on the
Klamath River.
But, a lessening of energy didn’t slow Ace. He ran for county
supervisor riding his horse to visit with his potential constituents, taught
college classes and also created curriculum. Then, he had the idea there should
be a memorial for Siskiyou veterans. So, Ace and friends went to work to create
the Hot LZ Memorial Wall and the Living Memorial Sculpture Garden up on Hwy 97.
In 1994, a special bronze plaque with Ace wearing his Cavalry silver belly was
unveiled with special honors.
Many people do interesting and amazing things. Ace was truly
unusual, adventurous, dynamic and quite spiritual. The book I am reading is by
Rex Gooch, who was also a Vietnam pilot. It is titled “Ace: The Story of Lt.
Col. Ace Cozzalio” and can be found online in hardcopy or ebook and is well
worth reading about his Vietnam missions and exploits. Ace Cozzalio certainly
merits this newest recognition by the U.S. Army Aviation Hall of Fame.
Garden
Can’t believe how big the rhubarb has grown. Guess I can do a
bit of harvesting. Snapped-off several asparagus and ate them, while irrigating
last week. They, too, are growing fast. Some of the peas are popping-up. From
talking with friends, it looks like gardening is going to be a big activity
this summer. Seeds are selling like crazy.
Liz
Bowen began writing ranch and farm news, published in newspapers, in 1976. She
is a native of Siskiyou County and lives near Callahan. Columns from the past
year can be found at: lizwriteslife.blogspot.com. Call her at 530-467-3515.
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