We did it! With the completion of a phenomenal HFC119 mission, our 2024 flight season came to a close. Exactly 800 senior war heroes received their long-deserved Day of Honor, Thanks, and Inspiration in our nation’s capital this year.
At just 18, Thomas “Tom” Dilley walked into the draft board in Harvey, Illinois, determined to accelerate his enlistment for the Vietnam War.
Ken "Burgy" Burmeister was 19-years-old when he moved up his draft number in August 1969 to choose service in the Army, following in his father's footsteps.
If variety is the spice of life, then Bob Baron can tell you, his life has been very spicy. Bob describes himself as a “war baby”, born in 1942 in Brooklyn, New York, the second of four boys.
The small black-and-white photograph has faded with time, but now it means even more to Frank Gillie Jr. He picks it up carefully and holds it reverently in his cupped hands, as he shows it to me.
Like so many young men, Jaime was drafted into the army in 1967. The United States was concerned about the spread of communism throughout Southeast Asia.
A Navy veteran, Ricardo would admit that he could host tours of several European capitals based on his vast experience during “Med cruises” on the carrier USS Intrepid (CVA-11).
Mike Collins learned a few things about helping others while growing up as the eldest of nine children — lessons that helped him in the Air Force, in law enforcement, and through community service.
Ronald Matonovich grew up in the Hessville neighborhood in Hammond, Indiana. Ron was the oldest of five children all living in a two bedroom, one bathroom house.
According to Robert Smith, no matter what job you had in the Army, you were a soldier. When they needed you to pick up a rifle, that’s what you did.
Both of Bob Falkman’s parents served in the US Army during World War II, his father as a lieutenant in the Supply Corps and his mother as a nurse. They met in Algiers and married shortly after returning home from overseas.
“I have no idea if this is the normal monthly parade, but it was nothing like I’ve ever experienced in my life. I personally think it will change the rest of his life. I just want you to know you made a difference in someone’s life.”
Ever wonder how someone gets interested in or decides to sign up to serve? For Jim Schlegel, he recalls hearing about Dr. Tom Dooley. Dr. Dooley was on board a ship that transported North Vietnamese Christians out of the area.
Bernadette “Bernie” Sanner always dreamed of being a nurse from the time she was a little girl growing up in East Chicago, Indiana. The nurses in Bernie’s unit all worked together very closely wherever they were needed.
It might surprise you to learn what Bob Shervino remembers first when people ask about serving as an infantryman in Vietnam. “God was I hungry,” he says. It’s 55 years later, but the pained look on his face makes it seem like yesterday.
Donald Hendrick, born in 1948, grew up in The Cabrini Green complex. He was the youngest of four children. The exposure to gangs and guns did not make for a warm fuzzy childhood.
During his first two years of service, Army life was pretty good for Mike Ahasic. Everything changed during his third year, however, when he served in Vietnam. More than 50 years later, his emotions are still raw.
Upon graduating from high school, Don Ehrhart visited his local Navy recruiter and enlisted in July, 1968, deferring his reporting day to October. Don worked with his father who had a construction business and completed his testing and the required physical examination.
Ivan Lee White was born in 1943 while his dad served in the Army overseas. As he and his younger brother later learned, his dad fought in Europe with General George Patton’s Third Army.
Don was the DJ in Qui Nhon and his sign-on slogan on the Music Machine show was, “How sweet it is! Hello out there in Qui Nhon Land!” Qui Nhon was one of the six areas in Vietnam that broadcasted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.