Today is Veterans Day. It is a day that we remember those men and women who served or are currently serving their country and in some cases died for their country.
(I hope I have acurate information on the following people)
The people that I remember today are:
George Byer - U.S. Army - WWI
George Byer was my Great Grandpa. He was building bridges when he and a group of men were asked if they would like to be a cook in the Army. No one else volunteered so he said that he would do it. He joined in June of 1917, 10 days before his 24th birthday and he spent time in England and France.
Thank You, Grandpa!!
Allen L Spencer - Sergeant U.S. Army Air Force - WWII
Allen Spencer is my grandpa. At 17, he joined the United States Army Air Force and fought in WWII in the European Theatre. He served as a flight engineer and the top turret gunner on a B-17 Bomber. He participated in 35 bombing missions, and was accredited with shooting down 4 German planes and he provided air cover over the beaches of Normandy on D-Day. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, and an Air Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, one for each plane he shot down, and two gold stars signifying that he had taken part in two major aerial engagements.
Thank You, Grandpa!!
Ronald Schulenberg - Private U.S. Army - Operation Desert Storm
Ron Schulenberg is my uncle. He had served for 3 years, his full enlistment, and then was recalled for Operation Desert Storm. He spent 3 months fighting in the war.
Thank You, Ron!
Robert Masterson - Private U.S. Army
Robert Masterson is my cousin. He served as airborne infantry until he was injured, and then he reclassed as a mechanic. He served for three and a half years.
Thank You, Robbie!
Allen Beach - Corpsman U.S. Navy
Allen Beach is my cousin. He is currently serving in the U.S. Navy, and is a Hospital Corps A School Graduate - Class 125 Alpha/Bravo.
Thank You, Allen!
Burt Fowler - U.S. Army National Guard - Operation Iraqi Freedom
Burt is a close friend of my husbands and has done 2 tours in the Middle East.
Thank You, Burt!
Warren Beach - CPO U.S. Navy - Gulf War
Warren is my uncle. He is a veteran of the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Saratoga in the Persian Gulf during the Gulf War. He retired after twenty years in the Navy at the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
Thank You, Warren!
Victoria Forbord - PFC U.S. Army
Victoria is one of my closest friends. She was honorably discharged as a PFC. She served from June 2001 to May 2004, and was inactive reserves until 2008. She went to basic training at Ft Jackson SC and attended AIT in Ft Gordon GA, in the field of Telecommunications.
Thank You, Victoria!
Cameron Cardinal - U.S. Army - Operation Iraqi Freedom
Cameron is a very close friend of my family. He joined the military in November of 2008 and he just returned from a tour in Iraq fighting as a Gunner for the U.S. Army. He is preparing for another tour next year.
Thank You, Cameron!
Steve Spethman - U.S.M.C
Steve is my cousin. He joined the Marines in 1990 and served for about 9 months before he was injured and received a medical release.
Thank You, Steve!
I'm sure there are many other veteren's in my life that I may have missed, so I want to say Thanks to them as well. Because of you and the ones listed above, I am free. Free to be who I am...free to believe the way I want! Because of you, I feel safe and protected! Thank you...a million times, thank you!!
