Highlights from our 103rd flight
marc.zarefsky2022-07-26T21:20:27-05:00Summer vacation was in full effect last week as we flew 111 senior war heroes (2 WWII, 4 Korean War, and 105 Vietnam War) to Washington, D.C.
James Cook: Nuclear Weapons Specialist Serving in England
marc.zarefsky2022-07-17T20:35:28-05:00USAF A-1C, Fusing Systems Specialist James D. Cook was born in a coal miners’ camp in West Virginia, sometime between the two world wars. James lived with his mom and dad, a coal miner, until he was 5 years old.
Barry Baron: Fulfilled His Dream As a Paratrooper
marc.zarefsky2022-07-17T20:34:26-05:00Describing his younger days in grammar and high school, Barry was known as a “cantankerous kid.” Looking for “structure” in his life, he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army and he specifically had set his sights on being a paratrooper.
Mary Catherine Burkart: Mother and Daughter Serving Together
marc.zarefsky2022-07-17T20:33:34-05:00As family traditions go, service to your country is a truly noble one to have. For the Burkart family of Sycamore, IL, answering the call during World War II was more than a duty. It was a strike back at an enemy that had taken one of their own on D-Day.
Christopher Mead: Maintaining Order in the Skies Over Vietnam
marc.zarefsky2022-07-17T20:32:34-05:00By early January 1968, Chris shipped out to Vietnam joining MACS-4 (Marine Air Control Squadron) located on a peninsula northeast of Da Nang on top of “Monkey Mountain.” The base was located on the peak of Sơn Trà Mountain, overlooking Da Nang Harbor and China Beach.
Arnold Grauer, MD: The Real Mash Unit
marc.zarefsky2022-07-17T20:31:52-05:00In 1964 the Vietnam draft impacted the lives of so many young men. Arnie, who had already graduated from medical school, decided to be the master of his fate.
Richard Renkas: The Object of the Game is to Go Home
marc.zarefsky2022-07-17T20:30:25-05:00A knack for language helped propel Richard “Rich” Renkas through more than four years of service in the U.S. Air Force and 354 combat missions.
Daniel Devine: A Sergeant at Age 18
marc.zarefsky2022-07-17T20:29:17-05:00After Boot Camp and infantry training, "Sarge" was assigned to Camp Pendleton in California. His Military Occupation Specialty was artillery, and his specific weapon was the 155 mm self-propelled howitzer.
Robert Knoerzer: Medic With The Army of Occupation in Japan
marc.zarefsky2022-07-17T20:28:14-05:00Bob was stationed in Japan and, since World War II had ended by that time, he was part of the Army of Occupation. He served with the 1st Cavalry Division Medical Detachment of the 61st Field Artillery Battalion of Ota, Japan.
Richard Wyrick: Working Security With a K-9
marc.zarefsky2022-07-17T20:27:12-05:00In December of 1965, Rich went to Vietnam where his responsibilities included providing security protection for visiting dignitaries, such as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture at the time.