Highlights from our 96th flight
marc.zarefsky2021-09-10T10:56:18-05:00Three WWII, 33 Korean War, and 76 Vietnam War veterans traveled on a trip that was long anticipated and will be long remembered.
Curtis Bentley: A Cook in the Messman/Steward Branch of the Navy
marc.zarefsky2021-08-15T21:16:53-05:00Curtis Bentley grew up 90 miles from Atlanta on his family’s 200 acre farm “growing anything we could eat, except for the cotton.”
Richard J. Aguinaga: A Modest Bronze Star Recipient
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T08:29:48-05:00Richard Aguinaga was drafted at 19, entered the service on June 19, 1969, and served until his honorable discharge on December 31, 1970.
Donald N. Benkowski: Military Intelligence is a Different Kind of War
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T08:24:19-05:00Don wanted to be a military pilot. He took and passed all the qualification examinations with just one exception.
Anthony ‘Tony’ Delaurentis: Mom vs Lieutenant Colonel
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T08:16:35-05:00Family has always been important to Tony Delaurentis. He’s been guided by values taught by his parents, especially to respect everyone.
Dennis (Denny) Keast: ‘I never thought I’d do what I did’
marc.zarefsky2021-08-15T20:38:56-05:00Dennis was born in southern Minnesota and when he was four his family moved to Flint, MI. As a kid, Denny knew he wanted to fly.
John N. Kost: First Combat on Valentine’s Day, 1951
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T08:07:36-05:00John Kost started high school at St. Rita but after his first year transferred to a seminary in Wisconsin, thinking he would become a priest.
Ronald T. Michalski: One Decision Changed His Course
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T08:03:41-05:00In 1958, one decision changed the course of Ron Michalski’s life and helped the boy from Chicago’s South Side became a man.
Michael E. Morrell: Family Tradition to Serve our Country
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T07:59:25-05:00Mike Morrell’s grandfather served in the U.S. Armed Forces World War I, and half a dozen uncles and his father served during World War II.
Phillip E. Norton: The Danger of Removing Munitions Left Over From WWII
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T07:54:27-05:00Not the usual experience is a phrase that describes Norton's family and service. He wanted to serve, and enlisting in the Army was fastest.
Edmund Rafalski Jr.: Maintaining The OV-10 in Support of the 1st Cavalry
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T07:49:45-05:00Ed Rafalski served in the Air Force from August 1968 to August 1972. He grew up in Calumet City, Illinois with one brother and two sisters.
Ed ‘Turtle’ Gniadek, Jr.: Just a Grunt Who is a Bronze Star Recipient
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T07:43:43-05:00When Turtle Gniadek received his draft notice for the Army, none of his friends were interested in entering the military with him.
Willie E. Reed: Why Not Me?
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T07:37:51-05:00Willie was born at the very end of World War II on June 3, 1946 and grew up with his family on the south side of Chicago.
Orlando (Lindy) Rossino: Turn 17, Join the Coast Guard
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T06:24:24-05:00When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Lindy Rossino knew he wanted to join the American Forces. Unfortunately, he was barely 14 years old.
Charles (Charlie) Solis: Ammunition Containers Make Great Cups
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T06:21:11-05:00Charles Solis was drafted in 1970 and served from 1970 to 1972 in the Army. He was working in a paper factory at the time.
William F. Sonntag: Army Commendation for Heroism
marc.zarefsky2021-08-09T22:41:34-05:00Upon graduation from Fenger High School in 1966, Bill was obligated to start seeking employment, but employers were hesitant to hire young men of draft age since they could be drafted at any time following hiring.
Jerry Warren: Protecting Building Engineers By Day, Providing Fire Support By Night
marc.zarefsky2021-08-09T22:42:57-05:00Jerry Warren passed up an opportunity to return to the states in 1968 and stuck it out in the Central Highlands of Vietnam until his tour of duty was over.