News-Info-Alerts

To: ALL

From: Andi Wolos & Bob Necci

(POW-MIA InterNetwork)

Re: Perot Again

Date: April 17, 2001

"Families grateful for Perot's calls
By Maria Recio
Knight Ridder Newspapers
April 12, 2001


WASHINGTON - The families of the 24 crew members were a jumble of emotion yesterday - relieved, restored, recouped - at the resolution of the EP-3 spy-plane standoff with China and the release of their loved ones.

Many also were a little stunned, amid the calls and interview requests, to receive calls from Dallas billionaire Ross Perot.

"I thought it was a very nice, considerate thing to do," Cle Elum City Administrator Mike Cecka said of a phone call earlier in the week in which Perot offered his help. "He's very high-profile. To take the time to call folks like us ... it gave us a lift."

Tom Crandall of Love Park, Ill., father of Seaman Jeremy Crandall, also spoke to Perot. "I was kind of awe-struck by him," Crandall said of the Texan. "I told him I appreciated someone of his stature taking an interest in us."

John Bensing, father of Ensign Richard Bensing of Florida, said he called Perot yesterday after he was told the billionaire was available to help the families. "I called him to thank him for his interest and for his involvement," said Bensing, whose daughter Vicky lives in Austin, Texas.

The elder Bensing also told Perot that he hoped the billionaire wasn't annoyed at the quip Bensing told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: "If he buys China, we can end this thing right away."

Perot, Bensing reported, roared.

Perot's involvement and a report from one parent that the billionaire may throw a party for all the spy-plane families did not surprise Orson Swindle, a former Vietnam prisoner of war.

"That's very Ross Perot-like," said Swindle, a member of the Federal Trade Commission. "He really cares about our servicemen and their families. He's an incredible patriot."

Swindle said Perot, who worked to secure the release of POWs from Vietnam, threw a grand party for them in 1973.

There was no word from the Perot offices if the Dallas billionaire would throw a party this time."