"This war is stirring up a lot of old emotions," Frangadakis says. "When I was younger, I was just a bystander and observer. Now I need to do something." Thus, Frangadakis is heading up the local Operation Yellow Ribbon effort, which lends community support to troops via care packages and cards, with sponsorship from the Los Gatos Rotary and cooperation from the Los Gatos Weekly-Times.

Frangadakis was only 19 years old when he was drafted into the Army. After being drafted, he was given the opportunity to volunteer for the Army. By volunteering, he could select the division he wanted to serve in. Frangadakis choose the medical corps, as he had just completed one year at a dental technical college in Milwaukee, Wis.

Although Frangadakis had reservations about going to war, he anticipated fighting for his country. What he did not anticipate was the adverse reaction to his unit at the Honolulu airport before taking a charter plane to Vietnam.

When identified as soldiers, people threw bananas at them and called the men derogatory names. "It made me sad that people felt that way," he says. "People have the right to dissent, but not the right to throw things at people."

He spent a year in Vietnam with the 44th Medical Brigade, providing medical and dental help to villagers, and the 101st Airborne troop at Phubai.

Frangadakis says that the villagers "were always frightened to death of us at first. But within four to five hours, they were hanging onto us, not wanting us to leave. They realized that all they'd been brainwashed to believe wasn't true. We weren't there to rape them and pillage their homes. We were there to bring hope and freedom."

The appreciation Frangadakis felt did not carry over when he returned from the war. Much as he had before he left, Frangadakis encountered opposition when he went to sign his separation papers from the military.

Roughly 30 protesters had gathered in the reception area of the Community Bank of San Jose (now California Commerce Bank) and set up makeshift coffins. Frangadakis says the group was not peaceful. When he tried to make his way through the crowd, protesters began shoving and then pushed him and two others against the wall with a coffin.

"It was the only time I lost control in my life," Frangadakis says. "It never happened before or will again." Without full awareness, he had smashed the coffins to pieces and pushed several protestors.

"I have no problem with voicing dissent, but I have a problem with violent protestors," he says.

Frangadakis was taken into custody, but before he was arrested his commandant convinced police to release him.

"You just have to get over it and get on with life," he says. "Americans have the right to speak their minds, but not to disrupt the lives of other people." Frangadakis says people "don't understand" but adds that he "was just like them at 20. You don't understand it until you are out there, realizing that people would love to kill you, that they would celebrate at the opportunity."

Frangadakis says he did not have an opinion when he left but was educated quickly. "Without the military, our freedom would be in grave jeopardy. Americans are too lackadaisical. They are fat, dumb and happy. They have no idea of what is going on in the world and don't care."

Although Frangadakis feels strongly about the war, his experiences and the importance of believing in America, he emphasizes that his main focus is to help the troops.

To aid troops from Los Gatos and Monte Sereno families, Frangadakis is spearheading the project with postal worker Arthur Guzman and resident Doddi Gains, who has been supplying "Support Our Troops" pins at the Los Gatos Post Office.

About 20 local families have relatives overseas, and Operation Yellow Ribbon aims to provide them with all the extras they need.

"I'm hoping the community responds by making donations and signing support cards," he says. "Getting a care package means a lot. I am still in contact with a neighbor who sent me a box of cookies. It was in transit for three months; they were crumbled and stale as hell, but it was the greatest present I have ever gotten."

Frangadakis says care packages are particularly nice from community members because soldiers know it's an extra effort, joking that their families are "required" to send packages.

"This support effort has nothing to do with the war," Frangadakis says. "It has nothing to do with the feelings people have about war, but it has everything to do with supporting locals."

The operation is still in the planning stages, but Frangadakis has formed a Rotary committee to make specific plans and then seek funding from the Los Gatos Rotary board.

Frangadakis has been a member of the Rotary since he moved to Los Gatos from Cupertino in 1978. "They have voiced resounding support," he says of the group. "They are a mature, educated group of people who understand the sacrifice troops make for our country."

Although Frangadakis believes the military is good for "showing duty to your country," he adamantly opposes war. "The military is a great experience," he says. "But I don't want war. War is horrible. I have seen firsthand soldiers bleed and die. War is a horrible, ugly thing."

Frangadakis can be reached at 408.354.4992 or at mike@frangadakis.com.