Veterans Day November 11th, 2016

[John Morris]

Veterans Day for Americans, and Remembrance Day for our Canadian and Commonwealth friends. In both of our countries they are recognized on the same day, and both days are just as important to each others nations. The Patriot Woodworker's would like to wish our Canadian and Commonwealth friends a memorable and thoughtful Remembrance Day this Friday, November 11th. For more information on Remembrance Day please see Remembrance Day Wikipedia.

 

To our own veterans here in the U.S. The Patriot Woodworker's want to thank you for your service and sacrifices, many of you have returned home from conflict whole, and many of you have returned home wounded. And many of you served during peace time. We can never repay our veterans for their service to our nation and our people, we stand on the shoulders of our veterans and active duty as we go about our daily lives living free and taking for granted the security and protections our veterans and active duty have afforded us.

 

Without our military, we would be a nation under attack constantly, it is because of our service members we sleep soundly at night, knowing that the life we went to bed with, will be the same life we awake with. That same certainty cannot be guaranteed to our active duty and veterans alike. The lives of our active duty change daily, and the lives of our veterans contain memories and nightmares of their service and constant reminders of their own sacrifices in the form of physical scars and PTSD. Please know you are not forgotten! Thank you Veterans!

 

To our Patriot Woodworker's here today, many of you are veterans as well. Thank you for your service, in honor of your service to our nation and for our veterans as well from Canada, we ask that you reply to this topic by answering the following.

 

• What branch of service were you in?
• Where did you serve?
• What unit, group, were you in?
• What was your MOS or occupational military skill and job?
• What was the time frame of your service?
• Are you disabled as a result of your service?

 

Also please feel free to honor friends and family who have served, are serving, or may no longer be among the living today. We'd love to hear your stories, memories, and your experiences.

 

Thank you all, and thank you Veterans for your service!

 

[Dadio]

I served in the Regular Army,from  1/1/1960 - 4/1/62 ,Active Duty and Reserve 4/1/1962 -1/2/65 in Seattle.

Boot Camp, basic Infantry training, Ft. Ord Cal.

1 year Army Language School, Presidio of Monterey, Hungarian language Section.

Assigned to Army Security Agency at the NSA Ft.Meade Md. as a linguist, and Crypt Anyalist.

Honorable Discharge as a Specialist 5th class.

 

 

[Gary Hanscom]

I served state-side only with the Maine Army National Guard for over 26 years, from May '71 to November '97,  as a helicopter mechanic for 3 years, a flight engineer for 3 years and a UH-1 (Huey) pilot for 20 years. My unit initially was the 112th Medical Company (Air Ambulance) but I later transferred to an Air Assault company (co-located with the AA company). I retired as a Chief Warrant Officer 4.  My dad (deceased) served with an ordinance battalion in Belgium and England during WWII. My father-in-law (deceased) also served in WWII as an aircraft engine mechanic in England. 

Gary

 

[Larry Cutlip]

Army  9th infantry   Heavy weapons  Alaska  64 and 65  Sgt E5  Saw no combat.

 

A special thanks to those that served in combat.

[Gene Howe]

USAF '59 - 65.

Acft mech.

8th Air Force

Basic at Lackland AFB, TX

Tech school at Chanute AFB, IL

 

[JRo]

US Army '83 - '94

Military Police / Corrections Officer

USAG HQ, Ft. Buchanan, Puerto Rico

502nd MP Company, 2nd Armored Division, Ft. Hood, TX

218th MP Company, 793 MP Battalion, Augsburg, Germany

Navy Brig, Philadelphia, PA

Army Correction Facility, Ft. Carson, CO

Saw no combat

[FireJohn]

Active USAF 1967 - 1971.  Stationed with 615th AC&W Sq., Birkenfeld AS, Germany, then with the 49th TFW at Holloman AFB, NM.  Was a 73250, Personnel Specialist.  Active USAF Reserve 1976 - 2003 at Selfridge ANGB, MI, as a 571X0, Fire Protection.  Attained the rank of E-8, Senior Master Sergeant.  No service disabilities.

[Ron Dudelston]

I served United States Air Force from 1970-1973.  My AFSC was 46250 which translates to Nuclear Weapons Specialist.  My duty stations were Lackland AFB, Lowrey AFB, Ramey AFB Puerto Rico, Barksdale AFB, Louisiana, Andersen AFB Guam and Utapao AFB Thailand.  My military claim to fame was loading the mines that mined Haiphong Harbor North Vietnam in 1972,

 

To my fellow vets, thank you for your service.  To my fellow Vietnam vets, welcome home.

[FlGatorwood]

I joined the U.S.Navy to avoid the green uniforms.  I took the oath on Friday, May 13, 1968 in Cleveland, OH.  Did my basic training at Great Lakes, sent to Memphis, TN for Aviation Prep School, sent to NAS Lemoore, CA to squadron 122 for plane captain training.  Plane captain is the man in the seat when the plane is moved or being towed.  Then sent to Philippines to catch an oiler to be high lined to the U. S. S. Ranger, an aircraft carrier.  Finished that tour in Viet Nam in June 1969, was assigned to Aviation Storekeeper (now Logistics Specialist), swapped our old A-7 A/B for A-7E.  We took them into combat and to sea first the whole year of 1970 except for our carrier (U. S. S. America) qualification in Cuba.  We sailed completely around the world and it is not square.  LOL  We started in Norfolk, VA, passed through the U. S. Virgin Islands, Rio de Janero, Brazil, across the Atlantic around the Cape of South Africa, eight days across the Indian Ocean to the Philippines to catch our planes and take on food rations.  Then onto the combat line until November 1970.  We sailed across the International date line and had Thanksgiving for 2 days.  We stopped in Sydney, Australia for 4 days, through the straits of New Zealand, across the Pacific and around the tip of South America, along the Falkland Islands, back to Rio, then into Norfolk.  My unit was an attack squadron 147.  Purchased my self a new green Pinto with the money I saved on that cruise, had to make payments, of course.  Was sent to Pensacola, FL where I met my wife, got a job making decals for reworked aircraft, then being logistical again until I was assigned as logistics system analyst.  Finished my last 10 years making customized databases.  So, spent about two years in the war zone, but came home whole and no service connected disabilities.  Loved working supply. 

 

Thank all you for serving.  It was an honor to serve with you.

Steve

Edited November 11, 2016 by FlGatorwood
Left out name of last served ship

[lew]

Like Steve, I joined the Navy to have some control of my future- less likely to get shot. Left for boot camp 2 weeks before I was 18 (1963). Boot camp was at Great Lakes, IL. After that I was sent to NAS Memphis for Aviation Electronics and Aviation Fire Control Technician (AQF). After 9 months there it was on to NAS Oceana, VA (Virginia Beach) into VA-65. We just got the new A-6 Intruder, which at that time was the most sophisticated electronics weapons delivery system in the Navy. We were assigned to the USS Constellation (CVA-64) and sent to Vietnam. Got out in 1966 on my 21st birthday.

[John Wright]

I graduated from the USAF Academy in 1967.  I was an AF Pilot for 22 years, flying F-4D's from Homestead AFB in Florida and Kunsan AFB ROK.  I also flew OV-10s in Vietnam and the last airplane I flew was the B-52.  I spent 4 years at HQ SAC and retired in 1989.

I served at Homestead AFB FLA, Kunsan AFB Korea, NKP RTAFB in Thailand, Pleiku AFB Vietnam, Quang Tri AFB Vietnam, and DaNang AFB Vietnam. 

I served at Griffiss AFB Rome NY, after Vietnam.  In 1975 I went back to Grad School and then on to the USAF Academy where I tought Aeronautical Engineering for 4 years.  In 1981 i was transfered to Wurtsmith AFB Michigan where I really began my wood working hobby.  I had a huge lumber mill just up the road and could get all kinds of rough cut lumber for pennies a foot.  In 1984 I was transfered to Offutt AFB and HQ SAC where I stayed until my retirement in 1989.

I am disabled due to Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam.

[Thomas puppa]

You all are great.  I was a US Navy  Merchant Marine reserve and appreciate all you have sacrificed. Thank you from me and my family.   You gals and guys are the best. 

[PostalTom]

USAF 1970 to 1994.  Basic training at Lackland AFB, tech school Lowery AFB, then to Ubon RTAFB Thailand, Eglin in Florida, back to Thailand, Bentwaters  in England, where I met my wife.  She's  American, her dad was stationed there.  From Bentwaters, I went to Luke AFB, AZ, then to Kadena AB in Okinawa.  From there, Homestead, and on to McConnell in KS, where I eventually retired.  AFSC was 321X2P, which was fire control radar on F4 C/D. Saw no combat, and I am humbled have the highest respect for those who did.  Retired as a SMSgt with 30 percent disability for hearing, back and knees.  Couldn't make CMSgt, my mouth always got me in trouble.  None of you ever experienced that, did you?

Edited November 11, 2016 by PostalTom
correct spelling.

[Grandpadave52]

First and foremost....THANK-YOU ALL who have served our country. We can never repay you for the sacrifices you made to protect us. God Bless you all!

I did not serve...I graduated from HS in the closing months of the Vietnam War. During my junior year in HS I had committed to attend a Technical College and maintained a 4H status until 1972...I then was reclassified to 1H awaiting the outcome of the Draft Lottery...The following year, again remained eligible until the draft formally ended.

 

My step-father served in the Army in the European Theater and occupied Germany (1944-47). My father-in-law served in the Navy in the Pacific Theater (1943-45) where he contracted polio and was confined to a wheel-chair the remainder of his life. My dad (only son; only child) served in the Indiana National Guard and reserves from 1950-56 during the Korean War. Both of my BIL's served in the Air Force in Taiwan and Vietnam.

 

There is one day however, I had the opportunity to serve...C&P'd below is that story...rather lengthy, but my humble effort to honor the men & women who have served our nation. I have since been honored to have this letter incorporated as part of the Guardian Training for our local Honor Flight chapter.

 

"A Day That Will Live in Infamy!"

Oct. 27, 2014 I served as a Guardian for my Step-father (Donald L. Johnson, a WWII Veteran) on the 9th Greater Lafayette Honor Flight.

The trip actually began the day before on Sunday afternoon 10/26 with the formal Meet & Greet at the Army Reserve Center where family members, Guardians, and the Honored Veterans were able to visit, receive our "orders", and hear from a number of speakers including the Mayors of Lafayette/West Lafayette and two state senators.

 

Additionally each of the WWII, Korean and two Vietnam Veterans were specially recognized and honored for their service. My step-father received his certificate of recognition from Brigadier General Wayne L. Black, Indiana National Guard. What an honor!

On the 27th, I picked up my eagerly waiting step-father up at 05:45 AM and made the short drive to the Purdue University Regional Airport where I dropped him off at the main terminal. He was greeted by members of the Indiana National Guard...I parked the truck, walked the 1/4 mile back to the terminal, and then we were escorted to one of the larger hangars. There we were served biscuits & gravy, fruit cups and water...no coffee prior to the flight for obvious reasons. During breakfast, we had music by the Purdue University marching band (various big band medleys from the 30's & 40's). Interacting with the 83 veterans, were several members of the Purdue ROTC, active members of the Army Reserve and Indiana National Guard.

From there we moved to a secondary terminal and our security checkpoint where we showed our honor flight badge, driver's license and headed to the US Air, Airbus 320 chartered for the flight. We were greeted with much fanfare by US Air personnel and boarded a fully decorated plane interior of patriotic banners, flags and the like leading to a perfect take-off as the sun begin to rise over Lafayette, IN. Finally coffee was served!

Our flight took about 1:45. After we landed at Reagan International we taxied to the terminal where we were greeted with a water cannon salute (reserved for only the highest of dignitaries I'm told). The next part, while I knew in advance what to expect in part (thanks to Joe!), overwhelmed me! Our veterans were applauded, cheered and physically greeted and thanked by hundreds of waiting passengers and others in the terminal. It was so humbling and emotional to see our veterans finally get their long past due recognition.

Once everyone made the long awaited restroom stop (took a while with the 83 veterans, all of the guardians and honor flight staff, plus some traveling press) it was on to one of the four assigned tour buses. First stop was the WWII memorial...wow...to be a part of this experience with the WWII veterans...all of which on our flight were experiencing their first personal view of their memorial. The WWII veterans all posed for a group picture (which by the way of modern technology, each received a personal 9x11 color copy when we returned that night).

Back on the buses, where we had a prepared lunch of chicken pot-pies, chips, cookies, apple slices and of course water. From there on to the Korean War Memorial where our Korean veterans were recognized and had a group photo. Then for those who desired, you could walk to the Lincoln Memorial, then on to the Vietnam Memorial Wall...my step-father and I made the trek...The last time I was in D.C. (1971) most of these memorials did not exist particularly the Vietnam Wall since the war was still in force.

Back on the buses, on to the Iwo Jima Memorial, then the Air Force Memorial. While at the Air Force Memorial, I was able to listen in on another small tour group where they (we) were shown where the Pentagon was attacked on 9/11...very sobering to see...back to the buses and on to Arlington National Cemetery to witness the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Prior to our first stop I had been selected to be the "wheel chair captain" for our bus which entailed at each stop, getting wheel chairs out of the luggage compartment for any of our veterans who desired one and assisting them into their chair. By the time we made Arlington, several on our bus requested chairs...why do I even mention this? Well I can't tell you the rush of pride and emotion I felt when I saw our many veterans lined up in their wheel chairs around the entry point of the tomb where the guards entered and exited...Wow! I could not have been more proud to be an American than I was at that point!

During our time at Arlington, we also were able to visit the grave of Audie Murphy, and the memorials for both the Columbia and Challenger...very humbling and somber!

From Arlington, it was back to Reagan International, a quick restroom stop, then on to our boarding wait area. TPA checkpoint was show our Honor Flight badges...nothing more...talk about feeling like traveling in the presence of royalty! Then on to our wait area...again, our veterans were thanked, cheered and applauded. As we boarded the plane (same flight crew as the trip out), we were given a sack lunch (which by the end of the day was pretty good!). We took off just past sunset and headed back to Lafayette.

 

Once we were in the air, it was time for "mail call!" This consisted of each veteran receiving a personally addressed 9x11 envelope filled with letters from home as well as dozens of letters, cards, and pictures from not only children, but adults from all over the U.S. Again, another humbling and emotional experience to witness your veteran read not only your personal latter, but the countless others. Mail call was (is) so important to our service men and women.

Upon landing at Purdue (kinda' shaky with 25-35 mph cross winds), and during the long taxi back to the terminal area, our veterans received another recognition from the captain over the intercom as he stated "welcome home soldier!" As the emotion of this was settling in and the plane came to a stop with the stairs being moved into position (Purdue isn't large enough to be equipped with a terminal unloading ramp) our WWII veterans were asked to disembark first. As we walked down the steps, we were greeted by over 300 cheering and clapping well-wishers including some local and state dignitaries. Again. WOW! So humbling, yet rewarding to experience!

What a day...While I was exhausted myself and I could tell our veterans were also very tired, to see them come off that plane getting their long overdue welcome home and walk as tall and proud as they once did as young men was one of the most awesome experiences of my life. Unlikely ever again will I experience the treatment of genuine royalty as I experienced traveling with these veterans and Honor Flight personnel.

I share this not to boast, but as a testament that I hope might challenge any of you who have read this start to end to seek out an opportunity to serve as a guardian or any other capacity in your locality as a part of an Honor Flight.  We are so fortunate to have two gold star mothers who began our local chapter of the Honor Flight as a way to honor and recognize their fallen sons. The cost of the flight for the veteran is $0. This is possible through corporate sponsors, private sponsors, and fund raisers. For the guardian the cost is only $400 and is tax deductible.

My step-father will be 88 in January and is pretty mobile for his age. He went into Europe near the end of the war in Europe, experienced VE day there and was then sent on to occupied Germany where he stayed until 1947.  For him, this day meant the world...for me, to spend this day with him as well as the other 82 veterans is a day I will take to the grave with me...to be in the presence of such greatness and among these true heroes was truly an honor.

[Fred Wilson]

United States Air Force

1958 - 1963

Airborne Radio Radar

8th Air Force, 19th Bomb Wing

After basic at Lackland AFB and school at Biloxi, MS, went to Homestead AFB for the duration of my enlistment.  (Other than a 5 month school at Chanute AFB as Houndog Missile Analyst)

Was in Homestead during Bay of Pigs and Cuban Missile Crisis. (Only pucker time I spent during my enlistment.

Saw no combat, and I am humbled and have the highest respect for those who did.

My flag is flying today along with about 300 other flags scattered around town.

 

 

[Chips N Dust]

As Dave said - A HUGE Thank YOU - to all of you here at TPW and to ALL OTHERS who have served to protect the rest of us and this country, THE UNITED States of America.

 

I also did not serve, Gulf War 1 broke out as I was finishing my senior year. I was ready to enlist and my parents talked me into finishing college first, then join. No one had any idea that it would be so short. I am still bothered that I did not join. There have been so many that have done and given so much more than I have,

[Marv Rall]

Joined US Army--10-4 54. Trained as heavy weapons hump---spent 16 months in Korea- worked as 2nd eschelon mechanic-- fixed trucks, jeeps, 4x4 Dodge powerwagons---outdoors mostly---saw no combat. My experience with North Dakota winters on the farm--add the Korea experience--now you can understand why, when I finally got my shop---60 degrees is the minimum temp allowed.

Edited November 11, 2016 by Marv Rall

[Travis Brown]

_{Joined the USAF 1968, delayed active duty until April, 1969 which allowed me to finish graduate school thesis and avoid being drafted into the Army. Attended officer training at Medina, Lackland AFB, TX and then training at Lowry AFB, Denver. Vietnam 1970-71 at DaNang, RVN as weapons loading and aircraft release systems officer, F-4D&E. Returned to CONUS and trained at Indian Head, MD in EOD, both conventional and nuclear weapons. Served Hill AFB, UT until 1973. Honorably discharged as Captain. During my tours I met many fine people and shared some tense moments, all without physical injury.}

_{Began woodworking while at Hill AFB, though only developed reasonable skills while residing at my present residence in Centennial, CO and through membership and participation in local woodworkers guild.}

_{My greeting and thanks to all who served, whether in combat or not. Veterans donated their time from their lives and contributed to the strength of the USA, I offer my thanks, particularly today, for your service and commitment.}

 

[budglo]

Retired Army (24 years)

Served 2 tours in Vietnam as a DUSTOFF pilot, the most satisfying accomplishment

of my career.

Thanks to all who served and sacrificed.

 

Jerry 

[Dadio]

27 minutes ago, budglo said:

Retired Army (24 years)

Served 2 tours in Vietnam as a DUSTOFF pilot, the most satisfying accomplishment

of my career.

Thanks to all who served and sacrificed.

 

Jerry 

I salute you for your service, and all the veterans, for all who don't know what DUSTOFF is:http://chuckandlorene.com/

The Vietnam war was just starting when I got out. I applied for Helicopter school, but couldn't meet the physical requirements.

Herb