ALL MAN'S SIN'S

At Fort Ord California in 1967 twenty year old Private Jimmy Kasanos saw a drill sergeant and training sergeant murder fellow Private Francis Okeson. Jimmy was beaten severely enough to damage his kidney's to keep him silent. Kicked with steel toed boots, whipped with a pistol belt and crammed into a wall locker where his feet were smashed ripping his big toe nails off he was ordered to keep his boots on for one and a half weeks. When Jimmy was allowed to remove his boots his socks had to be torn off his feet from the dried blood and damage. Symptoms of kidney damage appeared immediately. Now on dialysis three times a week after losing one kidney in 1977 and the second now in failure, fifty four year old Jimmy Kasanos is in such bad health he fears he may not make it. Since he trained in 1966 for the Pan Am Games in Track Cycling for the San Diego Bicycle Club and involved in judo, karate and jujitsu before entering the service April 25, 1967- Jimmy had been in excellent physical health. That day his life was changed forever.

Jimmy has not been properly compensated from his injuries and is now fighting for full disability and benefits, not to mention his life, even though there has never been any evidence of disease to cause his kidney failure. Events, conditions and consequences mentioned in this account are only a few experiences Jimmy had in the service, as with any Veteran, that continues to haunt, anger and adversely affect his life.

To get Jimmy out of Fort Ord he was sent to Cam Ranh Bay Vietnam. In his first three days Jimmy saw Sgt. Jack A. Canada kill a little girl after breaking a bottle over the mother's head. He was warned by Canada with a gesture of slitting his throat and by fellow servicemen that you don't mess with Sgt. Jack A. Canada who was also involved in the black market, drugs, prostitution and said to be full of hate.

In late 1967 Jimmy was ordered by Sgt. Canada to verify that the cargo of three barges sitting in Cam Ranh Bay were secure and discouraged him from taking the log book which was highly irregular. When Jimmy boarded the first barge he realized these weren't just military vehicles, but damaged ones including melted tires, melted and twisted metal. Increasing damage was evident as Jimmy progressed towards the center of the barge. He came across one vehicle that appeared to be the result of an explosion and entered sitting in the driver's seat. It appeared a rocket must have come from a fox hole directly underneath just in front of the driver and the vehicle bombed or napalmed from above. Anyone sitting in that seat must have been annihilated immediately and Jimmy realized he must be sitting on a corpse. He began to see bits of cloth, human bodies, melted dog tags and everything was infused with the metal. As Jimmy left he noticed that all the vehicles seemed to hold bodies when suddenly two security guards accosted him. With a gun pointed in his face and a rifle to the back of his head Jimmy was questioned and sworn to secrecy about what he'd seen.

Jimmy 1967 Cam Ranh Bay 458th

That day the barges were moved quickly off the point of Cam Ranh Bay out the south exit and dumped into the sea (without the American flag displayed and done in secrecy making it a dirty grave). The two security guards, Sgt.'s Canada, Joshy, Diamond and Breedin were watching. Jimmy also knows of a second dumping site in a very deep trench up north near Red Beach overseen by Bill Colby of the CIA and called Task Force Wonder II (they wondered how they got away with it twice). There were many witnesses to this dumping sworn to secrecy including the crew of the USS John Page and everyone on a troop transport ship.

After talking to the Chaplain of the US Army about the two dirty grave sites where a multitude of military vehicles and conex boxes filled with KIA soldiers were dumped and about Sgt. Canada murdering the little girl, the Chaplain told the General who transported Jimmy to Na Trang with Sgt. Canada!

Debriefed by a Naval Intelligence Agency agent Lt. Commander at Cam Ranh Bay in 1967 Jimmy was told not to talk or he would be killed. Two weeks later he was told by another NIA agent Lt. Commander that his parents would be killed if he talked and reported some of his parents activities to prove they were being watched. On the USS REPOSE hospital ship in Da Nang Jimmy was told if he said a word about what he'd seen he would never leave the ship or worse. Army Secret Intelligence Agency and NIA agents told Jimmy if he talked he would be placed among the dead in Cam Ranh Bay. There was no way the US could afford to go through all the remains in the vehicles and battle sites and make an accounting so it had to be kept secret by orders from the very top. An attempt was made on Jimmy's life later, but he was warned and able to avoid being killed.

Since Jimmy Kasanos got out of the service over 30 years ago he has reported these incidents to various Veteran and government authorities and been ignored. He checked into the possibility of underwater research teams going to the dirty grave sites. It would be expensive, but some well known salvager's and photographer's have shown an interest in the project. This endeavor may or may not be possible with the Vietnamese government. The divers who showed interest in checking out these sites live overseas and twice were visited by menacing military and an unknown person from the US. They were told to drop the dive story. I can provide proof.

For those of you interested in Jimmy's credibility we are looking for more witnesses and here are more facts about his service. James Kasanos entered the service April 25, 1967 and was honorably discharged November 28, 1968. He was deployed September 1967 to Cam Ranh Bay Special Boat 458th Sea Tigers, Na Trang, back to Cam Ranh Bay and then to Da Nang Task Force Wonder II of Task Force Wonder 76 and Operation Corral also known as Operation Circle the Wagons at Red Beach/ CIA Beach. The dirty grave sites can be proven by going and taking a look!

His commanding officers were First Lt. Sellers, Second Lt. Honeycutt, NCO First Sgt. Jack Diamond, Sgt. Breedin, Sgt. Jack A. Canada and Sgt. Joe Joshy 458th Sea Tigers. In Na Trang- Sgt. Major Bill Rassmusson 5th Special Forces gun boss, NCO Sgt. Canada, Sgt. 8 Breedin, Sgt. E7 Joe Joshy and Capt. Ernest Madina phone operations officer KIA. In Na Trang Jimmy was the island hopper operator and drove boats to the outer islands for the Asia/CIA, 5th Special Operations Group, CIA and Capt. Ernest Madina of My Lai massacre fame. He once told Jimmy to shoot and kill a 6 year old boy who was eating rotten garbage Jimmy had just dumped, which Jimmy refused to do in no uncertain and very colorful terms. Madina asks don't you know you are being heard all over the world on the Mars Station and Jimmy said he didn't care with a very similar response as before. For this Jimmy is sent back to Cam Ranh Bay with Sgt. Canada again! It was like they wanted Canada to keep a watch over Jimmy. Eventually Jimmy and one thousand other servicemen were sent up north away from the first dirty grave site and into the second mentioned earlier.

Friends of Jimmy's in Vietnam were Hap Weckerly, Larry Mayler, Richard Jordon, John Allen, Berry Nordstrom, Greg Barrett, Lonnie Kemp and Rob Pickett. Anyone knowing the whereabouts of any of Jimmy's friend's please get in touch! Jimmy received his training at Fort Ord in California, Cam Ranh Bay, Na Trang and Da Nang in Vietnam.


If anyone can help "think tank" this situation or have any connections please let me (Patti) know. We owe it to the KIA's who were just dumped into the sea without proper respect, burial and memorial. Many families might finally know what happened to their loved ones if some remains or units and events involved could be identified. As Jimmy fights for his life he wants those men in the administration and military (mostly officers, but clear up to the top as is now happening in USA basic training, Iraq, Afghanistan and other places) to answer for their murders, gross error in judgment and neglect of duty to those who served and died in Vietnam. It was criminal to secretly dump all those soldiers by their own country. Jimmy would like to see memorials and the American flag at these sites. Do we spend whatever it takes to literally get to the bottom of this military and government cover-up? The men involved should be held accountable and do everything in their power to make up for the horrible events of the past. This includes the corruption of our administration and military in this country and others in regard to black market, drugs, prostitution and murder. I think the leaders in our administration and military should do something about it. I once wrote the American Embassy in Japan about a non-combat death and they admitted in a written letter that wherever there are military there will be drug problems. Too bad he didn't admit to the well known and documented fact that we know many women and children are used as prostitutes when enough of the professionals aren't available to the military.


Story written by Patti Woodard. Information was provided by Jimmy Kasanos and some excerpts taken from an account written by Jan Beimdiek. Photos property of Jimmy Kasanos. Thank you for taking the time to read this. .......... I left a great deal of details and events out due to their horrendous, graphic or personal nature. I would have to write a book about Jimmy to get his life story told. A lot of this is obviously in my words and opinions as any writer would do except the accounts of Ft Ord and Vietnam were totally written by Jimmy.


Jimmy is listed in the book Veterans and Agent Orange: Health Effects of Herbicides Used in Vietnam (1994). "James Kasanos, Vietnam Veteran, Otter Rock, Oregon Topic: List of toxins used in Vietnam and a summary of reported Agent Orange symptoms and effects." Page 750. Topic: Personal observation of various interpretations of the dioxin literature, as well as how the committee should take care to distinguish the differences in exposures (categorically and qualitatively) among various studies. The National Academies Press.


Update June 2004
Jimmy still struggles to stay alive in dialysis and be heard by the VA. The faction of employees at the VA, the system including Congressional employees who are supposed to be VA caseworkers seem to be either incompetent, untrained or don't want to deal with anything too complicated. I realize most are good workers and really care about the Veterans, but I have been told by Senator Gordon Smith's office that Jimmy's case is a very complicated one and seems to not be easily handled. Jimmy was taken off the kidney transplant list for no reason many times and this must be changed. As I hear different Veterans stories I wonder when the VA became the Veteran's enemy when they are supposed to be there to help. Again this is only some of the employees- I certainly don't want to imply the entire staff is like those I'm complaining about. This has been the case in 3 Veterans I know. The VA needs a complete overhaul starting in Washington DC. After being beaten in 1967 by drill sgts when Jimmy's kidney damage began he filed a claim. This has never been addressed since then. Jimmy continues to file a claim for kidney failure as a service connected disability (you are in a different class also if you have lost use of a pair of organs as Jimmy has according to Federal Code Title 38) yet the VA refuses to hear or allow it- always denies it and doesn't seem to care. Jimmy has tried for 37 years to get this service connected disability without success. The VA (much like many of our administration and military) don't feel they need to be accountable to anyone for anything. This must be changed!

Update April 2005 (and most recent update February 1, 2008)
A film crew flew to Jimmy's hometown, Portland Oregon, in November 2004 and spent three hours filming Jimmy's story of Vietnam and battle with kidney failure. The next morning they filmed Jimmy during a dialysis session at the VA. Beverly Ozman led the crew with Norman Klein writer and producer and Matt was the camera man. Beverly saw the story above on Jimmy and wondered if it would fit in with another story she was working on. She contacted me and after some checking I got them in touch with Jimmy. They proved to be wonderful people to e-mail and talk to. They had a contract with Jimmy to edit the three hours of VHS film into a ninety minute film to be presented to the Library of Congress Vietnam section and would be shown at the Smithsonian, in Vietnam, then all over the world. The three hours of filming with transcript would be placed in a local library or two. (Beverly asked me after Jimmy passed away where I thought it should be placed and I told her Portland Oregon's main library downtown where Jimmy spent so much time and had so many wonderful Veteran friends and also the San Diego Library where Jimmy was born and his sisters, nephews and many friends live). I was present during the three hours watching these professionals at work and was most impressed. Jimmy did an excellent job too. I talk to Jimmy every week or so and wish I could record everything he has to say. He has so much to tell- it's all so fascinating and shows what goes on in the military and our world. I find Jimmy to be so amazing- such a memory and intelligence. I work in the field of non-combat military deaths so know Jimmy tells the truth.

As a postscript to the above- Norman became ill and the three hours never was edited to my knowledge even after he recovered. I understood and left them alone for some time. Jimmy and Norman kept in constant contact during Jimmy's next year+ and so did I. When Jimmy passed away I spoke to both Beverly and Norman a couple times. Beverly wanted to know who the next of kin was and I gave her contact information on Jimmy's eldest child Jennifer and youngest child Jamus. The three hours of VHS or DVD was supposed to go to the next of kin when Jimmy passed away, but no one ever received it and Beverly and Norman quit answering my e-mails and calls shortly after Jimmy passed away. I find they broke the contract with Jimmy by not making this film available to any library or family. We all waited for years to see this film- just a copy of the uncut three hours would have been wonderful for everyone to see. Jimmy never got to see the edited version either. Jimmy's family and friends have been very disappointed, sad and broken hearted that such professionals would do this to Jimmy and everyone else. I've never been able to understand how they could just dump the project like that. I was patient and civil for years.

My last e-mail to Beverly and Norman in October 2007 (nearly three years after they came to Portland to film Jimmy) was a frustrated one about how betrayed Jimmy, his family and friends were by never being able to see the tapes as promised- some of Jimmy's family hadn't seen him in a few years and I think the tapes would be healing and treasured by them after he passed away. I was sick and tired of Beverly and Norman not responding to me. Nearly three years after their visit- the tapes, transcript and DVD had yet to be presented to any library or family member. You can see in these photos how much fun Jimmy, Beverly, Norman and Matt seem to have had. I wonder why they did this to Jimmy and his family and why they completely blew off his story that needed to be told about Vietnam. They seemed to be such great people. After they were here I put up the story and photos of them coming to Portland and Beverly freaked out for some reason and asked me to take the photos down and names off the story for some reason or other that was never explained so I did, but I don't feel the need to hide their involvement any longer. I continue to check the Library of Congress and Portland and San Diego libraries, but find nothing. I feel (looking back) that they never planned to do as promised. This is unacceptable and heartbreaking.

Another fact people don't know about Jimmy is that he continued to work for the military for 18 years after his honorable discharge and the horrendous treatment he received at Fort Ord and Vietnam. He invented a weapons cleaning system and went to military bases all over the US to teach soldiers how to easily clean their rifles in harsh conditions where normal cleaning didn't work or was too slow. He was also able to get hundreds of rifles working that hadn't functioned for years. Jimmy didn't get paid for this- his goal was to save lives by keeping weapons working. I saw a 1985 interview on video when Jimmy talked to reporter Gene Cubbison who works for NBC in San Diego. Jimmy's weapons cleaning machine would have been a life saver when the US went to Afghanistan and Iraq and had their rifles jam on them.

Jimmy has proof that his kidney loss is the direct result of the beatings he received at Ft. Ord by his drill sgts and in Vietnam by officers who seemed to enjoy TORTURING, MAIMING AND KILLING young men yet the VA refuses to acknowledge the proof and facts. These people are worms in my opinion. The VA, military and administration have so many vermin and worms. The VA promised Jimmy vocational rehabilitation and then cut him off and said forget it. This is despicable. Those who have neglected their duty to the Veterans make a bad name for the rest of the VA.

Jimmy is taking about 40 years of documentation to the Portland VA and these will become public. Shock is a mild word for those of you unaware of the goings on of some of the military and VA and many of our Congressmen. WAKE UP PEOPLE!



Update July 2005
On June 24th 2005 Jimmy's hose in his arm shut down due to a blood clot. A shunt was surgically put into Jimmy's chest June 27th (this is the second time in the years Jimmy has been on dialysis). Jimmy's next surgery will be to put a fistula into his arm. See the article below for more details on what Jimmy and others in dialysis go through.

From MedLine Plus Medical Encyclopedia
Definition - "Dialysis is a method of removing toxic substances (impurities or wastes) from the blood when the kidneys are unable to do so. Dialysis is most frequently used for patients who have kidney failure, but may also be used to quickly remove drugs or poisons in acute situations. This technique can be life saving in people with acute or chronic kidney failure.

HEMODIALYSIS
Hemodialysis works by circulating the blood through special filters. The blood flows across a semi-permeable membrane (the dialyzer or filter), along with solutions that help remove toxins. Hemodialysis requires a blood flow of 400 to 500 milliliters per minute (ml/min). A normal IV tube in an arm or leg will not support that volume of blood flow. Special forms of accessing your circulatory system are therefore required.

The access can be temporary or permanent. Temporary access takes the form of dialysis catheters. These are large-bore catheters placed in large veins that can support acceptable blood flows. Most catheters are used in emergency situations, for short periods of time. However, catheters called tunneled catheters can be used for prolonged periods of time, often weeks to months.

Permanent access is created by surgically joining an artery to a vein. This allows the vein to receive blood at high pressure, leading to thickening of the vein's wall. Now this "arterialized vein" can sustain repeated puncture and also provides excellent blood flow rates. The connection between an artery and a vein can be made using blood vessels (an arteriovenous fistula, or AVF) or a synthetic bridge (arteriovenous graft, or AVG).

The AVF is more desirable, because rates of infection are very low and it is quite durable. It may take many months for the AVF to mature, so careful planning is required.

The AVG can be accessed a few weeks after creation. It provides good flows but has a high complication rate. It should be attempted only if the AVF is not feasible.

Blood is diverted from the access to a dialysis machine. Here, the blood flows counter-current to a special solution called the dialysate. The chemical imbalances and impurities of the blood are corrected and the blood is then returned to the body. Typically, most patients undergo hemodialysis for three sessions every week. Each session lasts 3-4 hours. " (I know it can last longer).

THIS COULD HAPPEN TO ANYONE AND HAS HAPPENED TO MANY IN THE MILITARY! FOR NEARLY 40 YEARS THE VA REFUSED TO TREAT JIMMY'S KIDNEY FAILURE PROPERLY AND LOOK WHAT HE HAS GONE THROUGH! WE MUST TAKE BETTER CARE OF OUR VETERANS. THIS SURGERY IS A METAL ROD GOING THROUGH JIMMY'S NECK AND CHEST- ON TOP OF THE YEARS OF DIALYSIS AND NOW THE FISTULA SURGERY FROM LOSING BOTH KIDNEYS- IS ALL FROM BEING SAVAGELY BEATEN BY HIS DRILL INSTRUCTORS AT FORT ORD AND OFFICERS IN VIETNAM. THE EMPLOYEES AT THE VA DON'T WANT TO HEAR IT! NEITHER DOES ANY GOVERNMENT, ADMINISTRATION OR MILITARY OFFICE I KNOW ABOUT! WHY DOESN'T JIMMY GET TO HAVE ONE OF THE DECENT EMPLOYEES TO HELP HIM? BECAUSE HE TOLD THE TRUTH ABOUT THE ATROCITIES AT FT. ORD AND VIETNAM. JIMMY HAS HAD 10 SURGERIES I KNOW ABOUT AND PROBABLY MORE FROM BEING BEATEN BY OFFICERS IN THE MILITARY. THE DIALYSIS UNIT AT THE VA SEEMS TO BE THE ONLY ONES WHO UNDERSTAND AND RECOGNIZE THE CAUSE OF HIS KIDNEY FAILURE.

A note from Jimmy:
Jimmy praises the Portland VA Dialysis Unit Staff every time I talk to him. They are the best in the world- very highly rated and excellent professionals who not only do their job to the best of their ability, but also are interested in their patients. Everyone talks, shares stories and family photos- Jimmy says it's like a family in the dialysis unit. It does my heart good to hear this and I can't thank the staff of the dialysis unit enough for their hard work and genuine caring for their patients. My hat goes off to you in the Portland VA Dialysis Unit. The procedure is horrible and painful enough and your wonderful care contributes so much to their getting through each treatment. I know Jimmy does his part in trying to cheer up the unit when he goes in for dialysis no matter how bad he is feeling. This is the kind of man Jimmy Kasanos is. I admire him so much! Love ya, Jimmy!

Jimmy is not hopeful in getting a kidney transplant. He will remain on dialysis as long as he can. The US and VA have turned their back on Jimmy in so many ways, but he lives on because of his incredible strength and he's certainly being looked out after. My opinion is that they don't want Jimmy to get a transplant. The administration and military want Jimmy to die.

Update September 9, 2005
The dialysis unit has been using a new system to sterilize the area easier and faster than ever before- in minutes! This is thanks to Jimmy and his friend Max Friedheim who donated the Mod 2 Mini Max. Jimmy is still waiting for his arteriovenous fistula surgery.

Update September 26, 2005
Jimmy had his fistula surgery and must wait months for it to heal before it can be used in dialysis. Meanwhile they use the chest shunt. I find that the pain Jimmy has been put through to stay alive because of those bastard drill sgts at Ft. Ord and officers in Vietnam is way too much to ask of a Veteran who was there to do his duty as a soldier for our country and not be a punching bag by a bunch of murdering thugs. Then to wait all these years and never have his kidney failure recognized by the VA.

Update January 24, 2006
Jimmy had a heart attack early this month. The doctors said it was probably coming on for about 3 weeks. Jimmy spent 2 days on the floor until he could finally get to the phone when his sister called. He would stand up and get dizzy forgetting what he was going to do. Jimmy got home from the hospital, but had to return to emergency due to bleeding from his chest. He has been recovering with home visits from the VA. Jimmy felt well enough to get back to the beach one weekend.


Here is my (Patti Woodard's) recent letter to the administration, Congress and all you
APATHETIC UNCONCERNED American's out there:

I would like to address several matters to the sick corrupt men in the administration and Congress (I respect my Senators Gordon Smith and Ron Wyden up to a point- they have also disappointed Veterans a lot so that loses them big points in my book- and thank Rep. David Wu, Senator Barbara Boxer of CA, etc. and all others involved in helping advocate for Veterans)- also to the ignorant apathetic Americans in this nation. I am sick and tired of seeing my Veteran friends treated like dirt and not helped by the very organization set up to help them and this nation ignoring the plight of so many Veterans! There are millions of Veterans I don't know about who were never, aren't and never will be helped either!

1- Please help us abolish the Feres Doctrine. It is vital that we include "Incident to Combat" such as PTSD and other ailments not only "Incident to Service" for someone who has never been in combat, seriously injured in boot camp, criminally mistreated in any way, etc. Soldiers and Veterans must be able to redress gross criminal negligence in the military. There is so much homicide, rape, suicide, training accidents, misuse of power, hazing, bullying, etc. that is covered up and never accounted for. I work with these heroes and/or their families and am furious at what goes on in the military! Congress looks the other way, does NOTHING and is only aiding the corrupt criminals in the military and administration. The Feres Doctrine takes away the civil and constitutional rights of any person who joins the service. This is WRONG!

2- Help Veterans gain the right back to use Moral Welfare and Recreational Lands (MWR) for the healing and rehabilitation they need after what they have sacrificed for our country. Don't take this away from our brave and wonderful soldiers and only offer it to a select few (retired officers)! All Veterans- especially those who have been injured, maimed, mistreated and suffering- should be given the right to use these lands!

3- What happened to HR 1917?

4- When did the VA become the enemy of many Veterans instead of helping them? I know so many Veterans with serious disabilities who can't get service connection for these proven disabilities or even be taken care of physically and/or emotionally. I have personally sat in on hearings and can't believe the total ineptitude, ignorance and game playing I have witnessed by VA personnel- I can only imagine how many millions there are who receive this treatment. This is outrageous! I am totally disgusted with the United States of America and the Veterans Administration for their employees who are negligent, just plain laziness and selfishness. Get off your asses! Many VA offices and government agencies take money meant for the Veterans and keep it for themselves! This has been documented back when Principi was in charge!

5- I would like to see that smirking idiot Bush, his slimy administration, most of our Congress and all the corrupt VA employees, etc. over in Iraq fighting instead of the young men and women (and civilians) who are being slaughtered. This is totally wrong and WE CAN'T PUT UP WITH THIS ANY LONGER! The abuses of the Feres Doctrine have gone on for 54 DOCUMENTED YEARS AND POSSIBLY GOES BACK TO 70 YEARS AGO and CAN'T be tolerated any longer! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

6- I am totally DISGUSTED with this Congress and most before. So many of these men and women sit in their nice clean safe offices and homes and don't care about the soldiers suffering, scared to death, tortured, taking their own lives, murdered, dying and being scarred for life. They are just numbers to Bush and the rest of his inept creepy administration and many military leaders and officers- our soldiers ARE NOT TREATED AS HUMAN BEINGS who could have a future- they have families and friends who will have to live with their disabilities or deaths for the rest of their lives!

We all must act now and this means you America. Don't tick me off any further or there will be HELL TO PAY.

Those in the administration, Congress and the VA who are negligent and corrupt with your SAFE, ROUTINE, EASY, HAPPY, LAZY AND UNAFFECTED time- I hope you rot in hell. To those who truly care and are advocating for our Veterans I send a thank you deeply from my heart.

Sincerely, Patti Woodard



I DO WANT TO SAY THAT THE VA FOR THE MOST PART IS AS CORRUPT AND SLIMY AS THE ADMINISTRATION AND MOST OF CONGRESS. I DESPISE THOSE OF YOU WHO DON'T TAKE YOUR JOBS AND VETERANS SERIOUSLY. I COMMEND THOSE OF YOU WHO ARE CARING HELPFUL EMPLOYEES, SENATORS AND CONGRESSMEN. I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANYONE IN THE ADMINISTRATION WHO IS WORTH REDEEMING OR THANKING.

Extremely Sad News June 15, 2006
Jimmy passed away yesterday morning after suffering an "accident" on his way home from dialysis the previous week. He seemed to be doing better after a head injury, but took a turn for the worse (unknown why as of yet) and passed away. I want to scream- "What am I going to do without you, Jimmy?" I met with his wonderful family today- being able to put faces with the people Jimmy constantly talked about. I've known his son as long as I've known Jimmy (a short 5 years or so which seemed so much longer) and it was good to see all the support and love for each other. Good Night Sweet Prince, Rest In Peace, my brother and friend- I will never forget you. Knowing Jimmy was like being in a whirlwind- he pushed himself so much as went through life and his never ending stories of his life just poured out of him every time we met.

Coincidently- Jimmy had received a letter in April from the head of the Portland dialysis unit stating his kidney failure was the result of his military service. It does make us wonder..... Also Jimmy had been receiving threats for months, but he wouldn't tell anyone specifics to protect his family. Who had something to gain from this? There was nothing new in his case or story to cause the sudden rash of threats. I have my suspicions. This is not over yet!

Comments from friends and family as we mourn Jimmy's death


A beautiful tribute from Jimmy's daughter-

Your time on earth seemed all too brief
because I wanted you in my life forever.
And although I really miss you,
in my heart I know that you are at peace.
Still, countless times throughout the day
I find myself remembering you.
Although I cannot see or hear you,
I know that you are with me.
I'll feel you in the warmth of the summer sun.
I'll see you in the brilliance of autumn leaves.
You'll be beside me in the peacefulness of a gentle snowfall
and rejoice with me at the emergence
of the first flowers of spring.
I'm thankful for the times we shared
and the priceless memories too;
for those memories are a comfort now when I lovingly -
Remember You. * Jennifer Kasanos-Dill (Oregon)

Please see another tribute by Jennifer to her father here also:
Tribute to James Allen (Jimmy The Greek) Kasanos


I just wanted to thank you all for the nice tribute to my brother, Jimmy. If he were here he'd probably say, "let's get some beer and go party at Mission beach". Or, better yet, go party in Mexico with his many friends in Rosarito and Ensenada. Jimmy made friends for life and was always there for his bros and they him. I guess that's a Kasanos trait we learned from our dear mother and dad who were always there for us, our relatives and our friends. I've heard so many nice things about you all from Jimmy. I hope I'll be able to meet you at his Memorial. Thank you all from my heart. God Bless you. * Bette Kasanos (California)


Losing you is being felt around the world. Your quest will not be forgotten and while your light fades from this world the torch that you carried is still burning and will be carried by us left behind. * Steve Carmichael-Timson (England)


God's speed Old Friend -- I remember the days 'hanging around' the old Linda Vista Plaza and the 'Karate Mags'. You'll be missed. * Rick Bradbury (California)


We first met Jimmy Kasanos back in Montgomery Jr. High in 1962. Jimmy was a handsome kid and always knew what to say to the girls. He had a special charm that lit up the entire room, and for those of you who ever shared a class with him, his sense of humor and spirit kept the class alive. He was one of those rarest of individuals who touched so many people with his kind generosity, good humor and profound sense of decency. It is remarkable to me just how many people knew Jimmy. He never let anyone down; he was a true friend to many. Our conversations were about family, service and friendships. He loved his family dearly, his grandchildren, children, and especially his two sisters.

Jimmy’s life had a purpose and he fulfilled that purpose as long as his body allowed him to. As a friend he taught us all the importance of commitment, humor and sincerity. I am blessed to have known Jimmy and grateful to have shared a special time in his life. We will miss his absence, sense of humor and laughter… may you rest in peace. Your classmates -The Quintanar Family (Edna, Thelma, Norma & Alex) * Edna (Quintanar ) Fugazzi (California)

© 2005- Not to be reproduced without permission. All material copyrighted and not to be used under penalty of law. Patti Woodard

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