Veterans Day Interviews
November 2020
Owen Bragg
November 13th 2020
David Lester was in the Us Air Force. He volunteered through The ROTC
program during college. David's first impressions were that he was very
green going to his first duty station but he was able to adapt quickly.
David was trained as an Intercept Director and he controlled Aircrafts
to their targets. David had two remote assignments one of them was in Alaska the other was in Thailand one was accompanied tour in Rome, Italy. He kept in contact with his family using mostly letters but rarely used the telephone. During his tour in Thailand he flew as an airborne controller during the Vietnam conflict.
One of his fondest memories was the camaraderie with his co-workers and the dedication to the mission. He received awards of performance of duty but it was not anything special. Some of the challenges of being in the military was raising 3 children at home trying his best in the military. Being away from his family was the hardest part. David learned a important lesson from the military that America is a great country and worth protecting.
David thinks it is very important to celebrate Veterans day because fewer than 1% of American citizens were or are in the military protecting the other 99% of Americans. David says that a good way to honor a veteran is by standing for the National Anthem and say the pledge of elegance also don't disrespect the American flag.
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Tina
Veterans Day Speech
November 12, 2020
My mom’s friend Chad was in the Army working in radio communications.
He enlisted in the Army because he felt it was his duty as a citizen of the
United States. His first impression of the Army was to be ready to order.
Although he didn’t serve overseas or any battles, he traveled to Central America. He called and wrote letters back to his family.
One of his fondest memories is the close friendships with other soldiers. Chad got a few medals but he forgot what types. Chad had a hard time staying fit in the Army. His favorite part was when he got to apply his aircraft in the field.
He believes it is important to celebrate Veterans Day because it is a hard life being in any armed forces. He thinks that what they are doing now is a great way to honor veterans. He has a good account of how he and the other soldiers worked together and did what was needed to do. They made it work.
Veterans Day Interview
Kenyth Corter
November 2020
The veteran I interviewed is my mom’s best friend, Mark. He is 34 years old. He served
in the US Army because he volunteered for personal reasons. There was a lot of yelling
so he didn’t like it. He was a truck driver in the Army and he served in Afghanistan
and Iraq.
He stayed in touch with his family by waiting a long time in line for 15 minutes on the phone. He also used e-mail and letters.
Mark was stationed in Germany and he loved learning about the cultures and spending time with best buddies. He said the hardest part about being in the military was being away from family and friends. His favorite part about being in the military was serving.
He hated how people complained about the dumbest stuff. He learned to appreciate life in the military. He feels Veterans Day is important because veterans give up their freedom for ours. The way to honor a veteran is to just shake their hand and say “Thank you.”
By Ashton
November 8, 2020
My grandfather, George Kelly, was drafted into the United States Army.
He was overwhelmed by the number of people that were drafted. He
said he had several primary jobs, including Fire control, First sergeant
and he was the top sergeant a lot. They used to call him “Top."
He served in the Vietnam War, and Germany. He contacted his family with letters, and telephone calls. He served in Tet 1968 and Tet 1969.
He met his wife in the army. He earned 4 Bronze stars, MSM, and a Purple Heart. He had to Keep his company commanders straight and out of trouble.
His favorite thing about his service was the camaraderie or having friends. He learned that freedom is not free and it’s only one generation apart.
He believes that Veterans Day should be celebrated for those who are serving or who have served and not for those killed in battle. He thinks that's what Memorial Day is for. He thinks they should have a month instead of one day.
He had a story about his time in Vietnam. He said “I traded my company commander's jeep for a palate of steaks. The commander didn’t know I did it.”
Blaire Oliver
November 12, 2020
Michael Kennedy, my dad’s friend, served in the Navy. He enlisted.
He wanted to enlist in the Navy because he wanted good career
opportunities. He said it was very disciplined during his time in the
Navy.
In the Navy, he served in the Gulf of Bahrain. Otherwise known as “BAD WORD.” In the Navy, his favorite part was being able to jump in the Marianas Trench, which is the deepest point known on earth. But when they jumped in, it was jellyfish season and they all got stung by a jellyfish.
Michael thinks it is important to celebrate Veterans Day because he doesn't want people to forget the veterans who served.
One story he mentioned was when they were in the South China sea in international waters and the Chinese ships told them they were in Chinese territory. If they didn’t leave they would fire missiles at them. The ship's commander handed out informational brochures on a new missile the Chinese had that the US ship couldn’t stop. He had to stand watch all night to look for missile fire. It scared everyone. In his words “It was the scariest day of my life.”
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Jude Price
November 13, 2020
My uncle served in the United States Air Force. He chose
to be in the military. He was very nervous about joining. My uncle
flew a huge plane and dropped bombs. He flew overseas to other
countries. Every once and awhile he would make a phone call to
check on his family. My uncle never served in any war but dropped a few bombs in Afghanistan.
One time when My uncle was flying with his crew, someone saw him and started shooting. It messed with the plane engine. Then they had to parachute out of the plane. When they landed his friend got shot in the leg but he was ok. He also got an award for surviving the crash which was a necklace.
My uncle's goal was not to get seen or shot at. He said his favorite part was to serve his country. He learned that the military does not play around and is not as easy as you think it is. My uncle also felt happy to honor other veterans and to be honored. My uncle and his crew got together on Veterans Day and shared stories with each other.
Maddox Raulerson
November 2020
My papa’s name is Charlie Dent he served in the Coast Guard
during the Vietnam War. He enlisted because he didn’t want to get
drafted. He said that it was all something new and that he never
thought he would be able to do it.
My papa Dent was a gunners mate and he drove boats. He served near the south China sea and in North Carolina. Fortunately he didn’t get in any battles. And the worst thing that happened to him was being sea sick. He connected with family by letter.
He was not very excited except for when he found out that he had a daughter and son. He said the hardest thing was to try and stay alive and stay away from his staff sergeant. All he said is that to thank a veteran is to say thank you for your service.
Veterans Day Interview
Makenna Reagan
November 2020
My uncle, Andy Reagan, served in the US Air Force. He wanted to join the
military so he could travel. His favorite part of being there was meeting new
and lifelong friends. When my Uncle Andy was missing home, he would keep
in touch with his family by Facebook, phone calls, and letters.
The most valuable lesson that my Uncle Andy learned was to be disciplined, and to show respect and honor for this country. When I asked my uncle what was the best way to honor a Veteran? My Uncle Andy said, “Tell them thank you and give them a huge hug!” My Uncle gives one of the best hugs so I know that this is a great way for me to say thank you to him.
When I asked Andy what one of his most valuable memories was, he said that being an usher of President Reagan's funeral was something he will never forget. It will forever go down as an important part of our history.
My uncle, Andy Reagan, received the National Service Medal, an Achievement Medal, and the Honor Guard Medal. Andy did not serve in any battles. One of the many challenges he that he faced was to stand in ceremonies without moving. Could you imagine having to stand still for a long time? Andy told me that the first week in his new position, he had to stand in a yellow jacket's nest, and he still finished the funeral.
We all know that there are a lot different reasons why we celebrate Veterans Day. I asked my Uncle Andy why it was important to celebrate and honor this day. He said it is important to celebrate Veterans Day because it was a sacrifice for the people who served this country. The people who choose to serve our country missed out on family time, missed home, and gave their time to protect and serve others. My Uncle Andy Reagan is one of a kind and a Hero in my book!
Autumn Ritter
November 2020
My dad’s name is William David Ritter but he goes by David Ritter. He
was in the United States Army. He enlisted because the gangs began,
so he had to leave his hometown. His first impression was “What did I
get myself into?”
His primary job was to work as a Fire Control Specialist. He built the GPS
firing symptoms. He served in four different countries and three conflicts.
His first country was Iraq, which he spent eighteen months on a gun team. My dad’s second tour was to Afghanistan for thirteen months. Then he served in Germany for two years. Then back to Iraq for one year which he was on the gun team for all those years and months too. Then he went to South Korea for two years.
He kept in touch with his family through Facebook, phones, letters, and postcards. His memories were meeting new people and exploring new cultures.
My dad has actually received many medals and rewards. He said he had way too many to count. He said, “I think of my medals as if I were getting them from all my competitions in gymnastics. I was in this sport for four years.”
One challenge my dad had to face was being away from his children and the people he truly loved. That is probably the most painful challenge he has ever faced.
My dad said his favorite part of being in the military was seeing and doing new things everyday. Never, ever take things for granted, he said was his most valuable lesson. “Your friends,time, and family enjoys every moment you spend with them.”
It is important to celebrate Veteran’s Day because it is the day of honoring the people that paid the ultimate price. My dad always said the best way to thank a veteran is a simple handshake and thank them for all that they did or do for Americans.
When I asked my dad if he had any good stories, he looked up at the sky and a tear fell down his face. He had a couple friends that died when they fought for us.
By Tommy Michael Page
November 13,2020
My uncle Josh served in the United States Marine Corp and he
enlisted. The first impression my uncle Josh had about the military
was that there were too many orders. He worked as an armor
librarian for guns and knives and other weapons.
He was stationed in Okinawa during the Iraq War, and kept in touch because he bought his first phone in high school. He had no battles or conflicts. His favorite memory was his first earned promotion. My uncle earned Operations and unit medals but nothing fancy or big.
Big changes happened. He was always homesick. His favorite part of joining the U.S. Marine Corp was getting out. But he explained that when the Marine Corp seemed hard that "if you put your mind to it anything is possible."
My uncle Josh said that the best way to say thanks is to show people are interested in even taking a chance and interviewing or studying things like this. "Don’t take Veterans for granted," he said.
When I asked him if he had any fond memories he said that he was getting accused of cheating on the gun target practice in Boot Camp because the drill sergeant heard my uncle’s partner tell my uncle to cheat but he didn’t cheat but got accused of cheating.
Veterans Day Interview
Amber Sprowson
November 2020
MAJ David Lester was in the U.S Air Force. He volunteered through the ROTC
program while he was in college. He thought he was very green when he
got to his first duty station for training. But he was able to adapt quickly. He
was trained as an intercept director. Using a scope and radio transmissions,
he controlled interceptor aircraft to their targets.
He had two remote assignments, one in Alaska, and one in Thailand. Also one “accompanied” tour in Rome,Italy. To be accompanied means he could bring his family.
When he served remote assignments, he communicated mostly by letter. Once in a while, they could get through on the phone but that was rare. During his tour in Thailand, he flew as an airborne controller in the Vietnam Conflict.
The camaraderie with his co-workers, and the dedication to the mission at hand were some of his fondest memories. He received medals and awards for performance of duty, but he said it was nothing special.
Trying to raise three children and do his best at work was tough but not being able to see family on the remote tours was the hardest.
One of his most valuable lessons he has learned is “This is a wonderful country, and it's worth fighting for.” He thinks it is important to celebrate Veterans and Memorial Day because fewer than one percent of Americans serve in the military, protecting the other ninety nine percent. The service men and women of this country deserve thanks everyday. He thinks the best way to honor veterans is to stand for the national anthem, say the pledge of allegiance with conviction, and don't disrespect the American flag.
Veterans Day Interview
Rowan Walden
November 2020
My cousin, named Rene Enlund, enlisted in the U.S Navy. She enlisted by
herself and went to boot camp in Orlando, Florida. Rene wanted to be in the
Navy because she wanted to serve, and to see the world. She also did it
because she did not want to be a farmer. Her first impression was when her
commander kicked the trash can. She felt scared and questioned why she
joined the Navy.
Rene did serve overseas, in Athens, Greece. The way she contacted her family was by writing letters. She used to mail her mom letters, and it would take forever to get her mom’s message back. They called it “snail mail.”
The conflicts and battles she went through are classified. Rene’s fondest memory was when she saluted to her commander and the commander saluted back. For Rene, it was an honor. Rene was promoted four times. She even got early promotions for high achievements.
For Rene, boot camp was the hardest challenge of all. Her mother told her, “Don’t let them get in your head.”
Her favorite part of being in the military was traveling. Also, she found her husband while traveling. Rene learned that she had twenty four hours in a day. She can’t just be messing around with friends and not do what she came here for.
She thinks that Veterans Day should be celebrated so we won’t forget what people did for their country, like what people sacrificed for us. To her, the nicest way to honor a veteran is shake their hand, look them in the eye and say “thank you.” She served her country.