Shelley Morrison: Navy Trailblazer

2025-04-07T10:09:24-05:00

One of Shelley Morrison's earliest pictures shows a chubby-cheeked infant in overalls sitting on a sofa clutching her father’s white Navy hat with both hands as it sits precariously on her little head. Her father was a Navy lifer. It was the life she wanted for herself.

Shelley Morrison: Navy Trailblazer2025-04-07T10:09:24-05:00

Richard Raish: Touring Europe

2024-10-21T11:06:53-05:00

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).

Richard Raish: Touring Europe2024-10-21T11:06:53-05:00

Bob Falkman: Driving a ‘kiddie cruise’

2024-10-21T10:53:34-05:00

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.

Bob Falkman: Driving a ‘kiddie cruise’2024-10-21T10:53:34-05:00

Don Ehrhart: An Unexpected Story

2024-09-20T21:04:36-05:00

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. 

Don Ehrhart: An Unexpected Story2024-09-20T21:04:36-05:00

Ivan Lee White: Falling in love with flying

2024-09-23T08:44:30-05:00

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.

Ivan Lee White: Falling in love with flying2024-09-23T08:44:30-05:00

Ron Wills: Propelled to Serve

2024-08-24T21:04:57-05:00

Ronald “Ron” Wills was born and raised in Saybrook, a small town in Central Illinois where Ron’s father farmed while his mother raised Ron, his brother and three sisters, and helped run the machinery with the best of them. 

Ron Wills: Propelled to Serve2024-08-24T21:04:57-05:00

Don Ramsbottom: ‘Send him to Vietnam’

2024-07-29T21:36:33-05:00

Growing up as the youngest in his family, Donald “Don” Ramsbottom learned how to leverage speed and agility to excel. These traits proved invaluable during his service in the Vietnam War.

Don Ramsbottom: ‘Send him to Vietnam’2024-07-29T21:36:33-05:00

Bill Holic Jr.: Riding the waves

2024-05-14T09:27:41-05:00

Guantánamo Bay, Cuba/Bermuda/ Pearl Harbor/San Diego/Norfolk/ Vietnam — Fortunately, Bill Holic, Jr., liked to travel and travel he did. Thirty years in the Navy certainly gives him the title of “lifer”. 

Bill Holic Jr.: Riding the waves2024-05-14T09:27:41-05:00

Bruce Hansen: We take care of them, they take care of us

2023-10-16T23:02:10-05:00

Bruce Hansen's military career began when he told his Dad, a Marine Raider during WWII, that he would follow in his footsteps and enlist in the Marines. It was 1968, and 18-year-old Bruce was working as a carpenter/laborer, trying to get ahead of the Vietnam draft.  

Bruce Hansen: We take care of them, they take care of us2023-10-16T23:02:10-05:00

Raymond Gervais: Determined to stay active

2023-10-16T22:56:45-05:00

Talking with WWII Veteran Raymond Gervais, he said “I always wanted to be doing something”, from his WWII and Korean days, to playing volleyball in his 60’s, or working with his canine search and rescue team. He has certainly kept himself active.

Raymond Gervais: Determined to stay active2023-10-16T22:56:45-05:00

Roger Dexter: A Fiery Experience

2023-09-18T21:29:28-05:00

Roger Dexter was born in Melrose Park, Illinois in 1945, the fourth of five children. His father served in the Army in World War II but was never sent overseas, in part because of the large number of children he had.

Roger Dexter: A Fiery Experience2023-09-18T21:29:28-05:00

Charles Ohrn: Making a Deal

2023-08-22T23:13:28-05:00

Charles Ohrn was born in Chicago and grew up in the suburb of Park Ridge. He was the middle son of three boys and had one sister. His older brother served in the US Army in Germany and his younger brother in the US Navy, based in Iceland.

Charles Ohrn: Making a Deal2023-08-22T23:13:28-05:00

Scott Phillips: Yellow Shirt Aboard the ‘Tico’

2023-07-10T22:00:28-05:00

“I had the best time of my life. I would do it all over and I wouldn’t change nothin. I got to see the world and I’ve got brothers.”  Those are the words of Scott Phillips 50 years after serving aboard the USS Ticonderoga in the early 1970s.

Scott Phillips: Yellow Shirt Aboard the ‘Tico’2023-07-10T22:00:28-05:00

Kent Nylander: From Sailing the Great Lakes to Sailing the Pacific

2023-06-12T14:52:02-05:00

Kent's father was a professor in foreign languages and his mother a librarian.  His older brother retired as a Colonel in the Air Force and one of his younger brothers also was an Officer in the US Air Force.  Thus, military life was not foreign to Kent.

Kent Nylander: From Sailing the Great Lakes to Sailing the Pacific2023-06-12T14:52:02-05:00
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