| 11/14/12
Andy Geoghegan
(1964)
onewag@hotmail.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
Thanks for the tribute, Wes, you old Grattan Roader. I spent two years in the Army after being in ROT-C at W & M. Did a tour in Vietnam. As I had it pretty easy over there ( Medical Service Corps), being a Vet does not define my life as it has for so many then and now who have faced death and endured great suffering for reasons sometimes ill-conceived, but we own them a huge debt nevertheless. Would be interested in knowing who else in the classes of '64 and '65 served in uniform, such as Jeff Uram, another Grattan Roader, who sadly is no longer with us.
|
| 11/15/12
George Allison
(1965)
gallison@triad.rr.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| I served 20 years in the AF as a few other of my classmates. Many served at the government direction but I missed the selection by enlisting. I often think of the ones that gave all to their country. I salute them. |
| 11/15/12
George Allison
(1965)
gallison@triad.rr.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| I served 20 years in the AF as a few other of my classmates. Many served at the government direction but I missed the selection by enlisting. I often think of the ones that gave all to their country. I salute them. |
| 11/15/12
Wes Shumate
(1965)
ses2@optonline.net
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| Andy - another Grattan Roader who served in Vietnam is Garland Burch (class of '63). My '65 classmates who served in the military include: Larry Hatcher, Lewis Lovell (both of whom died in Vietnam), George Allison, Bill May, Barry Minter, Phil Sparks, Jeff Uram. I'm sure there are more and hopefully others will help fill out the list. |
| 11/15/12
Ken wilson
(1964)
kennwilson@embarqmail.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
All of you who served have my deepest respect and admiration. I would like to inclue Logan Essary-USMC, James Nester- USMC, Tom Hall-US Army retired, Shag Laprade-USMC Retired, Mike Uram-US Army,Virginia National Guard, Tommy Marshall-USAF, Reed Young-USMC, William Cope, US Army Retired, Bobby Hall-US Army,Bill Marlow-USAF, Johnny Reed-US Army-Virginia National Guard, Bo Eastridge-US Navy......I know There must be more. I hope someone help complete the list.
Ken Wilson-US Navy |
| 11/16/12
Jenkie Willard
(1965)
Flwillard007@aol.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
I agree with Andy in that being a Vet "does not define my life"; be that as it may, like I tell Janee Carter at every reunion, I did a four year enlistment with the Air Force.
Arrived at Da Nang Air Base in May, 1967, and believe it
or not, had more than 100 combat missions over North Viet Nam--not as a pilot, but as a passenger! What did define
my life was being able to go to school under the GI Bill
for 7 1/2 years after I got out!! Yet, it saddens me when I think of those who did NOT come back from that horrible place! |
| 11/17/12
Walker Pollard
(1968)
walker.pollard@gmail.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| To add to Ken's list, include my brother, George Pollard, USAF. George and Tommy Marshall joined the Air Force under a buddy plan. They did basic training together at Lackland AFB in Texas. I'm going to visit George in Kathmandu, Nepal. Plane leaves Sunday. |
| 11/19/12
Jenkie Willard
(1965)
Flwillard007@aol.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
More Veterans in class of '65: the late Larry Dillion was in
the Air Force! Also, anybody remember the wild man,
Hunton Whitt (or maybe Witt)? He was in the Marine Corps--
saw him at the Da Nang airport being sent back to the states
after his having been wounded two or three times!
|
| 11/20/12
Sandra Young O'Malley
(1965)
sandyk4305@aol.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
I had no idea that so many of our classmates (and those not in our class) were veterans during the Vietnam War. I was flying with Delta Air Lines at the time and flew to Vietnam to take soldiers over and back. I remember how ironic it was that they were so happy going over, perhaps scared as well. But all seemed so sad coming home. It broke my heart. I am sorry that none of you guys were on my flight. I thank all veterans from the bottom of my heart.
|
| 11/21/12
Greg Norton
(1963)
sgnorton@hotmail.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
Add Clay Gravely and Chippy Lackey, they served in artillery in Europe; Bill Kitchel did the Marine reserves; Billy Starkey was in the USNAvey and died while in;
and I did the Army National Guard in Virginia |
| 11/21/12
Ken Wilson
(1964)
kennwilson@embarqmail.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| I want to also inclue my brother, U.S. Army Specialist E-4 and Lt. Col Edward Moore, both class of 63. |
| 11/21/12
Greg Norton
(1963)
sgnorton@hotmail.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| I forgot to add Edward Moore, US Army, he was a career officer. |
| 11/21/12
ken Wilson
(1964)
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| My Brother, Ronnie Wilson, U.S. Army Specialist E4 |
| 11/21/12
Archie Thomasson
(1965)
Archer1710@msn.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
From the 'Class of 65', Bill Reid was a C-130 Pilot in the AF, Richard Lovell was in the Army in Vietnam, Bobby Woodall was a Captain in the USMC, Walter Sheppard was in the USMC, and Rusty Lacy was in the US Army in Europe. Temp Smith and I kept the home fires burning in the Virginia National Guard and I was also in the US Army Reserve. I salute all of our Veterans! archie
|
| 11/23/12
Frank Smith
(1965)
fhsvjs@juno.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| After going through the Corps of Cadets at Virginia Tech, I was commissioned a 2nd Lt in the Air Force in 1969. I was trained to be a computer programmer. Those four years were the foundation for my career in real-time computer control systems. |
| 11/25/12
Phil Sparks
PhilSparks@Kimbanet.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
Wes,
Glad to hear you're ok. Thanks for starting one of the better threads of messages on this site in a long time. It is especially good to read of so many Veterans who have taken positive things from their military experiences. I probably should have paid the U.S. Army for allowing me to serve when I consider all of my great experiences. Sandra (Young) Omalley, I do recall running into you in an Airport somewhere once (Ohio/Illinois maybe?)and it was great to see someone from back home. No matter where your military assignments took you it seemed most everyone was always looking for that connection to home. First three words of the military "Where you from?" It was always great to hear the answer "Virginia,you?" I ran into quite a few people from Martinsville throughout my career. First guy I ran into was Pvt. Ed Moore (Later Col. Ed Moore) April 1966, about the third day I was in the Army at Fort Jackson Reception Center Mess Hall and probably the last Martinsville guy I ran into was Maj. Bill May (I think later Col. Bill May) at Fort Benning, GA. (circa 1984-1985)
The military just like Mavahi provided a great opportunity to build some great friendships and camraderie that lasts a lifetime and some that ended far too soon. Sure miss those guys that we lost... but we'll see them again some day. God bless and take care. Phil Sparks
|
| 11/26/12
Jim Criss
(1964)
cygbsm@aol.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| Hey..great messages..would like to add Hank Childres,USMC, Viet Nam vet to the list..thanks to all who served..pooh chi chi.. |
| 11/27/12
Phil Sparks
(1965)
PhilSparks@Kimbanet.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| Thought of a few of other '65 guys that made careers or served in the Military. Richard Campbell USAF (Career) Gary Dodson (Deceased/Career) USAF, Jimmy Johnson (Deceased) U. S. Army and Bobby McMillan (Deceased) U.S. Army |
| 11/29/12
Greg Norton
(1963)
sgnorton@hotmail.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| The mention of Bill May inspired me to look him up - he is a retired Army Col with a Masters degree in Nuclear Physics and an MBA. He is doing consulting work for FEMA in disaster planning and is finishing a 12 month assigment in Bothel, WA - Judi and I were visiting our daughter in Ballard, WA for Thanksgiving and we had lunch with Bill. He looks very fit and now sports a mustache - he lives in College Station, TX |
| 11/29/12
Wes Shumate
(1965)
ses2@optonline.net
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| Greg - thanks for the update on Bill May, our Class of '65 President. I have great admiration for all of our veterans, especially Bill. His service and accomplishments are amazing. He is also an example of the incredible work done by the army medical corps, from the battlefield medics to the surgeons at Walter Reed Army Medical Center who treated his wounds. I remember visiting Bill in Martinsville soon after his release from Walter Reed. He told me that while on medical leave he would be working on his Masters degree at UVA. I was floored by the notion that someone who had just gone through what he did could complete such a rigorous academic program during his recovery. But then again, I shouldn't have been surprised -- that's Bill. |
| 11/30/12
Ken Wilson
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| PFC Louis A. Jefferson, class of 64, Recon Plt, 28th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division, Killed in Action, South Vietnam 1966. |
| 12/02/12
Jenkie Willard
(1965)
Flwillard007@aol.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
Unbelievable course of events: Walker Pollard, George's
younger brother, posted the fact that his brother and Tommy Marshall had gone into the Air Force together, etc. Moreover, he was planning to visit his brother in Kathmandu, Nepal...
Tragically, upon his arrival in Nepal, he suffered a massive
heart attack and died!!
We should cherish each day as if it were our last--'cause it just might well be! Take care! |
| 12/22/12
Wes Shumate
(1965)
ses2@optonline.net
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
Barry Brigman ('65) served in the Army Reserve.
I believe that Ali Najjar ('65) went to the USAF Academy. Does anyone know if that is correct and if he went on to serve as a career officer? |
| 12/23/12
George R Allison
(1965)
gallison@triad.rr.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| Hello Wes, There is a Ali Edward Najjar, 67, listed in the white pages for Sterling, VA. Might be our Ali. |
| 12/28/12
kathy mitchell rice
(1965)
katfos47@yahoo.com
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
| Ali was living in No. VA last time he attended a reunion. That could be him. Also, he did serve in the military. |
| 12/31/12
Jerry Poff
(1964)
jdpoff@charter.net
|
| Re: A Salute To Our Veterans |
I had completed college and in my first year of teaching when I was drafted in 1970. I was at Ft.Dix for basic. I was willing to serve where needed, but feel I was fortunate to be placed in an AFEES in downtown Pittsburgh, Pa. Our office was on the 17th floor of the Federal Building where I administered aptitude examinations. The GI Bill allowed me to get a Masters Degree from North Georgia College and State University.
Thanks to all who served. Lewis Lovell was a close friend and I think of him often. |
