Happy Veterans Day 2015: My Watch #veteransday

My airplane descended into Frankfurt, Germany, late November 1986 without incident. I collected my duffle bags and found the bus that would take me to the Rhein Main Air Base. It was bone-chilling cold that day and snow littered the ground. After waiting an extra day, the Army found me a unit to go to: the 583^rdOrdnance Company.  My watch had begun.

Me in Basic Training 1986

I joined the US Army in July 1986, filled with Patriotism. My President was Ronald Reagan and I was proud to serve my country. Sure, I was young, but I believed in my country, its freedoms, and the Constitution. I still do.

The first major event on my watch was the Fall of the Berlin Wall 3 years later. Hungary and Poland eased travel restrictions in the fall of 1989 and East Germany followed suit.  East Germany forced its leader out of office and a new government took over.  On 9 NOV 1989 the government announced new travel requirements to take effect “immediately” and the Berlin Wall came down.

My plane landed in Frankfurt on 10 NOV 1989. It was bone chilling cold day and snow littered the ground. I started my 2^nd tour in Germany, part of V Corps, assigned to the headquarters unit in the 11^th ACR. I witnessed Germany unification firsthand on 3 OCT 1990. History came alive for me that day. History I’ll never forget. The Cold War ended on my watch, and I’m most proud of that achievement.

The next major event on my watch was Operation Desert Shield/Storm (Gulf War I). Iraq invaded Kuwait and we fought back. I remained in Germany. The 11^th ACR deployed in support of Operation Positive Force from June-Sep 1991.

In DEC 1995 I arrived in Frankfurt for my 3^rd tour in Germany. My company deployed from DEC 95-96 in support of Operation Joint Guard, however I stayed in the rear. The following summer I deployed to Hungary from JUL-OCT 97 as part of the SFOR (Stabilization Force) a NATO peace enforcement mission. 

I left the Army in NOV 1997 after 11 years of service. My watch had ended. Since FEB 2000, I have worked as a 911 dispatcher for LAPD. I’m proud of my service, and proud to support the US Army during these events. I met some great people in the military and I’m grateful for Facebook so I can keep up with them. 

Since then, the military has been tasked with several worldwide missions dealing with the war on terror – from the Army to the Air Force to the Navy and Marines, and I just want to thank everyone who has served. It isn’t an easy job. Thank you for your patriotism, your sacrifice, and ensuring the freedom of this great country. 

Happy Veterans Day: Thank a Vet #veteransday

Sgt. Alvin C. York, WWI

In honor of Veterans Day, I thought I'd share the story of Alvin c. York, a World War I veteran who became one of the most decorated soldiers of World War I.

York was born in the hills of Tennessee in December 1887. He was the 3^rd of 11 kids. Poor to the bone, the Yorks grew their own food. Alvin's mom knitted their clothes, and Alvin's dad worked as a blacksmith to supplement their income. The family hunted small game as well, which probably helped developed Alvin's extraordinary sharpshooting skills.

In 1911, Alvin's father died. Alvin went to work at the railroad to support his family. He also earned a reputation as a violent alcoholic. In June 1917, he registered for the draft. (as all young men had to) There's some controversy round him asking for conscientious objector status, but in his diary he stated he never asked for conscientious objector status. (His mother was a known and passionate pacifist, so I bet that had something to do with it.)

In October 1918, near Chatel-Chehery, France, Alvin earned the Medal of Honor. As a Corporal, York and his unit of men, roughly 15 total, snuck behind a heavily fortified German position. Half were killed. Under heavy machine gun fire, York and his squad fired back. 6 German soldiers in a nearby trench changed him with fixed bayonets. York shot and killed them all with his .45 Colt automatic pistol. As the losses mounted for the Germans, 1^st Lieutenant Paul Vollmer surrendered to York. York and his squad of 7 men marched 132 German prisoners back to American lines.

General John J. Pershing presented York with his medal of honor and he was promoted to Sergeant. Alvin received approximately 50 military decorations for his service in World War I.

Upon his return to the States, York's bravery made the headlines. He received tours of New York City and Washington DC. When he entered the US House of Representatives, they gave him a standing ovation.

In June 1919, York got married. He's a busy bee and has 8 children: Woodrow Wilson, Sam Houston, Andrew Jackson, Betsy Ross, and Thomas Jefferson just to name a few. He died in September 1964 after a series of health related problems. He'd gained weight and was plagued with strokes.

His story was told by Hollywood in 1941. The movie was called "Sergeant York," and it was based on the diary Alvin kept during World War I. Gary Cooper won an academy award for his role in the movie.

Who are your military heroes? I'd love to hear your stories. Thank a Veteran today. It means a lot to them.