including local veteran thoughts, and honor of the service...

Including localveteran thoughts,and honor of the

service and sacrifice

Including localveteran thoughts,and honor of the

service and sacrifice

Veteran’s Day 20162

Heating & Air Conditioning760.446.5577 821 W. INYOKERN RD.

STATE LIC.NO 672679

HONORING AND THANKING ALLWHO HAVE SERVED

Insidethis

issue:

Veterans span the ages ......................................................................... Page 3HSUMD honors service and sacrifice .................................................... Page 5Daughter of missing pilot reflects during POW/MIA ceremony ............. Page 8Former Vietnam POW shares his experiences .................................... Page 11A family’s Naval service legacy ........................................................... Page 14

The Daily Independent Veterans Day 2016Publisher ........................................................................................John WatkinsEditor.......................................................................................Aaron CrutchfieldAdvertising Director .......................................................................Paula McKayAssistant Advertising Director .......................................................Rodney Preul

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Thanking all who have servedour Great Nation

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HONORING ALL WHO HAVE SERVED

Nicole ScottU.S. Air Force

Larry AanderudU.S. Navy - Retired

21 Years Service

2 Navy Commendation MedalsSilver Star Medal

Humanitarian Service MedalCombat Action Ribbon

Jacob Allen GuynnU.S. Navy - Active

June 2011-2015

Machinist's Mateon the USS Hartford

Jimmy A. BrantleyU.S. Navy

13 Years Service

Navy Expeditionary MedalSea Service Ribbon with 2 BronzeStars, Armed Forces Expeditionary

Medal, Meritorious UnitComendation with 1 Bronze Star,

Good Conduct Medalwith 2 Bronze Stars

3Veteran’s Day 2016

Thanking those who Serve

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Honoring andRemembering OurBrave Veterans

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Veterans spanthe ages

Whether they fought in World War II or Iraq, Veterans Day

has meaning for all who served

BY AARON CRUTCHFIELDDaily Independent

Although when one thinks of veterans on Veterans Day, someone who wasoverseas in the 1940s, 1950s or 1960s is likely what comes to mind first,veterans are still made today.

For example, at the age of 35, Ridgecrest native William Stukes has seven yearsof service in the United States Army and, after a few years away from militarylife, is now three years into enlistment with the National Guard.

“I remember the first time somebody pointed out the fact that I’m a veteran,”Stukes said. “It didn’t feel right and didn’t sound right, just because veteran inmy mind was my grandpa, veteran in my mind was those men with hats fromWorld War II. The word takes on a whole new meaning when you start to realizeveterans are people that have served, bar none.”

And that experience has definitely altered his perception of Veterans Day.“Veterans Day for me takes on a whole new meaning,” he said. “If people actu-

ally do what Veterans Day is intended for — it’s to stop and consider what’s goingon and what people are doing so they can live the life they’re living. Until I be-came a veteran, I never really considered the idea that it’s anything more than aday I get off. Now that I’ve experienced it, when I see someone walking aroundwith one of those World War II hats or anything like that, I pause and consider

Alyson ReamyU.S. Navy - Active

2013 - Present

William L. LinckUS Army - Deceased

1943 -1946

American Theatre Ribbon, EuropeanAfrican Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon,

Good Conduct, World War II Victory

Cecil LaingU.S. Navy - Discharged

4 Years Service

Richard K. CoxUS Air Force - Deceased

1951-1955

Korean Service, United Nations Service, Good Conduct, National

Defense Service


SPO Jered S. RoarkU.S. Army

2001-04

Army Commendation MedalArmy Achievement Medal

Good Conduct MedalNational Defense Medal

Niles T. ElmquistU.S. Army

Distinguished Flying CrossSharpshooter Medal

Good Conduct Overseas Medal

Philip BeitnesU.S. Army - Retired

1940 - 1945

Communications SergeantD-Day

Battle of the Bulge

William S. HallU.S. Army

1950 - 1952

Combat Infantry Badge

Honoring andThanking allWho Serve

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HONORING ALL WHO SERVED

what they must have gone through, what their expe-rience must have been, and not only that, but whatthey lost in the process. Paying homage to the factthat something is lost is something that should neverbe overlooked or forgotten.

“The burden not only falls on the veterans them-selves, but their families of veterans. Just respectingthe fact that your husband was over there serving,and that means you were raising the kids yourself, oryour dad was over there serving, so you were havingto figure out how to tie your shoes or throw a ballyourself. There’s costs across the board. So it puts awhole fresh new perspective on it, and makes memore appreciative of the people I run into.”

During Stukes’ seven years in active duty with theArmy, he did a tour in Honduras in collaborationwith the Honduran air force fighting Colombiandrug lords. He also did a tour in Iraq.

“It was a huge transition for me coming back fromIraq to the United States,” he said. “It was a bigger

transition coming from there here than it was viceversa, going over there, for some reason. To be in themidst of this, and seeing people’s houses made ofmud, and they’re clawing and fighting for any foodthey can get, and rolling into villages where there arecrippled children everywhere, and coming back andjust walking into a grocery store. It was an experi-ence that was hard to explain. It was hard to adaptback to what’s considered normal here.”

Stukes said he was able to adjust in big part due toa good support system, and that he is able to keep incontact with many of the guys he deployed with.Even so, the gravity of the decisions made on a dailybasis in Iraq vs. Ridgecrest looms large.

“There’s that whole element of where a lot of thedecisions that you make [in Iraq] will decide if peo-ple live or die, whether or not you’re coming home,”Stukes said. “They’re big, heavy decisions. Then youcome back and all of that’s gone.”❖William Stukes


Simeon JohnstonU.S. Army - Deceased

Sept 5, 1862 - May 28, 1865

Captured at Berry’s Ford, near Millwood Virginia, December 17,

1864. Confined as a prisoner of war at Richmond Virginia, December 21,1864. Exchanged at Cox’s Wharf,

Virginia, February 5, 1865.

John J. LeeU.S. Army Grace Evangeline Reinke

U.S. Marine CorpsWomen's Reserve - Deceased

1945 - 1946

Honorable Discharge andHonorable Service Lapel Pins,Certificate of Honorable and

Satisfactory Service in World War II

Robert Lusher U.S. NavyU.S. Army

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Honoring OurVeterans

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Honoring Our VeteransThank You For Your Service

HSUMD honors service and sacrificeUSO Building, free breakfast, stress support group and more

The Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert honors the service and sac-rifices of our venerated veterans and their families!

Please consider these ways we offer our deepest appreciation to our veterans:

Veterans Memorial BuildingIn 2015, the HSUMD completed the repair and restoration of an historic

building (112-year-old one-room schoolhouse) and dedicated it as our area’s Vet-erans Memorial Building.

This new Veterans Memorial Building is a unique and dedicated display of thepast and present service and sacrifices by our local veterans. Instead of being ageneral military museum, this Veterans Memorial Building is focused on display-ing the photos and stories of service that are shared by our veterans or their fam-

SUBMITTED PHOTOThe VeteransMemorial Building.


Julie MontoyaU.S. Air Force

Luther “Luke” WebbU.S. Army - Deceased

Sept 20, 1917 - March 10, 1919

Private, 3rd Ordnance GuardCompany 121st Infantry,

World War I Victory Medal

Robert “Bud” G. S. SewellU.S. Air Force - Retired

40 Years Service

Bobby LeachU.S. Navy

1951 - 1955

Naval Reserve 1955 - 1957

Saluting theVeterans of

the United States of America

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SALUTING THE VETERANSOF THE

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ilies.If you are such a veteran and have been connected to our Upper Mojave Desert

area, or if you are part of such a veteran’s family or circle of friends, please sendus a photo of the veteran and a short narrative of his or her service to our coun-try.

Send the material to HSUMD, 230 W. Ridgecrest Blvd., Ridgecrest, CA 93555-4011, or email [email protected].

All material received by HSUMD must become the property of our Society sothat we can display it in our Veterans Memorial Building. If you only have origi-nal photos, certificates, official papers or other irreplaceable materials that youdo not wish to donate, we will make special arrangements to have the itemsscanned and/or copied and return your original items to you.

Monthly Free Breakfast for VeteransHSUMD hosts a monthly free breakfast for veterans and their spouses. Veter-

ans are invited to join others on the third Thursday of each month, from 8 to 10a.m., at the Historic USO Building located at 230 W. Ridgecrest Blvd.

The Historical Society of the Upper Mojave Desert hosts the monthly freebreakfast for our venerated veterans, but the Society has lots of help from others

who also honor our veterans: Chuck and Ronda Griffin and their family donate time and talent and love to

preparing, cooking and leading volunteers in serving the breakfast. The Ameri-can Legion Post #684 and its Legion Riders and the Honor Flight Kern Countywith Gary and Karen Zuber always help. Mather Brothers, Inc. and its dairy op-eration donate drinks, ice, and other items. Rod Stiefvater and Mojave Pistachiospitch in and donate. Active-duty veterans from the Army and Navy are oftenthere to help and to chat with other vets.

It is truly the community and its generous volunteers coming together andhonoring our veterans at this monthly breakfast.

Combat Stress Support GroupHSUMD hosts a regular gathering of a Combat Stress Support Group. Every

other Wednesday evening, starting at 1800 hours at the Veterans MemorialBuilding located at 230 W. Ridgecrest Blvd., the Combat Stress Support Groupmeets under the leadership of Dr. Jiselle Esparza.

Exposure to traumatic combat and operational experiences affects servicemembers and veterans spiritually, psychologically, biologically, and socially. Aveteran with a good job, good social supports, and a healthy leisure routine may


George PoppenUS Army - Discharged

1944-1946

Gale PoppenUS Navy - Discharged

1952-1956 1956-1960 Reserves

Good Conduct, National Defense,Defense Service

Douglas F. FreemanU.S. Navy

Clyde R LebsockUS Army

1951-1953

Combat Infantry Badge, Korea ServiceMedal with 2 Bronze Stars, UN ServiceMedal, National Defense Medal, ROKRepublic of Korea War Service Medal

Mon-Fri 7-6, Sat & Sun 8-5

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We Proudly SaluteAll Veterans and

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Employment - Preschool - Supported Living Services - Document Destruction -Thrift Store E-Waste Collection - Fully Accredited and Licensed Services and

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Family, Our CommmunityOur Mission to Serve...

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DART Salutes Our Veterans

have an easier readjustment to civilian life. If you or a loved one thinks that they

could benefit from coming to a meeting ofthis Support Group, please call John Abbottat 619-808-2223.

Activities for Vets and FamiliesHSUMD hosts a wide variety of activities

and events that veterans and their familiescan enjoy.

The Society’s Historic USO Buildingopened in October 1945 as a USO Club, andimmediately became the center of activityfor Ridgecrest, the nearby Navy base, andthe surrounding area. The Historical Socie-ty of the Upper Mojave Desert has not onlyrestored the venerable building to its for-mer glory, but it has restored the building’sstature as a center of community activity!

Classic Movie Nights for the whole family– free of charge – with all of the ambienceand refreshments and cartoons that we sawin years past. Open Mic Nights – with avery low admission charge – where veteransand their families can sit, enjoy refresh-ments and listen to live local musiciansshare their acoustic talents with the rest ofus. Regular presentations of historic or en-tertaining or educational subjects, musicalconcerts, special shows or dinners or dances– are all activities that veterans and theirfamilies can enjoy at the Historic USOBuilding.

And for those active-duty veterans andtheir families who have been stationed atNAWS, NAWCWD or MAD, please consid-er this wonderful opportunity being offeredby your new community!❖

SUBMITTED PHOTOThe Historic USO Building on West Ridgecrest Boulevard.


Sean T. StrattonU.S. Navy - Retired

1985 - 1996

SPC Steven ZamarronU.S. National Guard - Active

2 Years Service

Sean CallahanU.S. Marine Corp

1981 - 2001

Navy Commendation MedalNavy Acheivement MedalMeritorious Unit Citation

UN Service Medal

Nolan ClawsonU.S. Navy - Retired

USS Laws

1943 - 1946

Battle Commendations -So. Pacific

723 N. China Lake Blvd., Ridgecrest • 760-371-9868

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HONORINGOUR

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Honoring Our Veterans

Honoring our VeteransThank you for your service

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Honoring our VeteransThank you for your service

Daughter of missing Navy Pilot reflects during POW/MIA ceremony

BY RUSTY BAKERNaval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base Public Affairs

FORT WORTH, Texas (NNS) — Shannon Spake has very few memories of herfather. She recalls of melodies he sang to her and the smell of Old Spice colognethroughout their home at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California.

Spake was not much older than two when her family received the news he wasconsidered missing in action after the Navy lost contact with his aircraft inNorthern Laos.

It was the spring of 1972 and the Navy’s Attack Squadron (VA) 192, known asthe Golden Dragons, had just deployed for its sixth combat cruise to Vietnam

aboard aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). The squadron flew its battle-worn A-7E Corsair II attack aircraft in over 3,600 combat strikes in a period of192 days in support of Operation Linebacker, as well as the mining of NorthVietnamese harbors and concentrated air strikes against targets in North Viet-nam.

Spake’s father, then Lt. Dennis Pike, had just completed a successful bombingrun on the Ho Chi Minh trail when his aircraft began trailing smoke. Loss of oilpressure and altitude forced Pike to ditch his Corsair and hold out hope he wouldevade detection from the enemy long enough to be rescued.

“I’m going to have to leave it; see you guys later,” were Lt. Pike’s last words over


James PrattiniU.S. Army

Gordon RogersU.S. Army

1970 - 1976

VietnamKorea

Artillery

Lesker K. PiattU.S. Army - Retired

1980 - 1986

126th Infantry

Eleno G. Silva IIIU.S. Air Force - Active

2010 - 2012

Sr A / E-4

Robert A. CovingtonU.S. Army - Veteran

1963 - 1966

Gerald JonesUS Navy - Deceased

4 Years Service

Honorable Discharge

Pete ZamarronU.S. Navy - Deceased

2 Years Service

Mark S. JunsayU.S. Army

3 Years Service

2 Army Achievement MedalsAfghanistan Campaign ribbon

Korea Defense MedalWar on Terrorism Ribbon

Lt. Col. Darcy Saint Amant Covington

US Army - Active

1998-Present

West Point - Class of 1998

Nathaniel J. HumphreyU.S. Navy

SFC Joseph A. AdamsU.S. Army - Retired

21 Years Service

Meritorious Service Medal, ArmyCommendation Medal, Army Achievement

Medal, Good Conduct Medal, NationalDefense Service Ribbon, Iraq CampaignMedal, Global War on Terrorism Medal

SFC Dennis L. AdamsU.S. Army - Active

26 Years Service

Army Aviation Badge (wings), Drill SgtBadge, The Bronze Star, MeritoriousService Medal, Army CommendationMedal, Army Achievement Medal (6),

Good Conduct Medal (3)

CWO4 John R. CovingtonU.S. Army - Retired

1987 - 2011

Cornell E. Hall, SKC (E7)U.S. Navy - Retired

20 Years Service

Navy Achievement Medal withCombat V, Combat Action Ribbon,Navy Unit Commendation, Good

Conduct (3), National Defense ServiceMedal, Vietnam Service Medal

Anthony V. TaylorU.S. Navy - Retired

20 Years Service

National Service Medals (2), NavyUnit Commendation, RVN Service

Medal, Combat Action Ribbon,Vietnam Service Medals, Good

Conduct Medals (3)

Captain Michael Bachman, Jr.U.S. Air Force

U.S. Air Force Reserves

2009-Present

USAF Commendation Medal (2)CGO of the Year Travis AFB

DGMC 2010

the radio before he ejected, according to Spake.After two days of search and rescue missions over his last known position in

enemy hostile territory, all searches for Pike were called off.Over 44 years later, the Pike family continues to wait earnestly for answers.

Spake, who spoke to service members and local veterans during a POW/MIARecognition Day observance ceremony held at Naval Air Station Fort WorthJoint Reserve Base, Texas, Sept. 13, described her mother’s strength in raisingthree children as the family lived a life on hold.

“Mom would take me to the commissary with her to grocery shop while theolder two were at school,” said Spake. “Repeatedly, I would run up and lift myarms to any man in those pristine dress whites screaming, ‘Daddy, Daddy.’ Astime went on, that uniform was just about all I could remember of my father.”

Being among the Sailors and Marines in uniform and observing the local Navychief petty officer selectees carry out the symbolic ceremony of the Fallen Com-rade Table, Spake said she was reminded of the service and sacrifice each servicemember was willing to make by taking the oath.

Of those currently serving in the armed forces, Spake said, “Their sacrifice ispaid in full, no matter their circumstances. Because of the military families whohave gone before them, they be will not be forsaken. As a nation, we will fight tohave them returned to the soil they fought to protect.”

Spake said her family has endured a life of uncertainty, complete with allegedreports of her father spotted later in Russia, hoax dog tags, to news crews enter-ing her home so often to cover Thanksgivings and Christmases without her fa-ther that it became routine.

Most recently in 2015, her family was approached by scientists from the De-

U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS JASON HOWARD/RELEASEDShannon Spake, guest speaker for the POW/MIA remembrance ceremony at Naval AirStation Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base, meets retired Rear Adm. James A. Lair, whoserved with her father during the Vietnam War. Spake’s father, Lt. Dennis Pike, servedas a naval pilot when he was reported as Missing in Action March 23, 1972.


Richard A. FacchianoU.S. Navy

Richard FreemanU.S. Air Force - Air National Guard

6 Years Service

Air Force Good Conduct Medal,Air Force Overseas Service Long Tour

Ribbon, Air Force Outstanding UnitAward, Air Force NCO

Academy Honor Graduate

Michael R. MillerUS Army - Deceased

4 years service

Army Service Ribbon, Southwest AsiaService, Sharpshooter Badge, National

Defense Service, Kuwait Liberation

O.E. BraunUS Navy - Retired

1952-1956

Submarine Service

Robert Garwood HollyU.S. Navy

4 Years Service

One tour on the carrier USSConstellation in Vietnam

Aviation Machinist Mate, 2nd Class

Frank MorenoU.S. Navy - Retired

30 Years Service

Gilbert & Chris HinzoUS Navy

1950-1956

Amos S. (Steve) EtheredgeU.S. Marines - Retired

C Company, 1st Battalion

1943 - 1945

Asiatic Pacific, Pacific Theater, theAmerican Theater of War, Good

Conduct Medal, Sharpshooter andthe Purple Heart.

Richard J. DeMarcoU.S. Army

1942 - 1946

Meritorious Unit AwardPresidential CitationArmy of Occupation

Good Conduct

Pasqual MercadoUS Marine - Discharged

1943-1946

5 Division

Neil Jerome ElmquistU.S. Army - Retired

1945-46

WWII Victory MedalExpert Sharp Shooter Medal

Good Conduct Medal

SPC Steven ZamarronU.S. National Guard - Active

2 Years Service

Mile PoppenUS Navy - Discharged

1948-1949, 1952-1953

Korean Defense Service, United Nations & National Defense

Robert FrancisU.S. Air Force

1946 - 1949

Larry FranklinU.S. Army - Retired

3 Years Service

Purple Heart, Bronze Star,Vietnam Vet

Andrew Pearson U.S. Army - Deceased

1940 - 1945

2 Bronze Stars2 Purple Hearts

Multiple Campaign RibbonsSharpshooter Medal

fense POW/MIA Accounting Agencywith the discovery of her father’s ejec-tion seat, photos of his ripped flightsuit and boots, yet yielding no proof ofhis physical remains. Although thiswas the first hard evidence found in 43years, the findings were still inconclu-sive to her father’s fate, adding a life-long perpetual state of loss, confusionand anger where closure seemed justbeyond their reach.

Pike is one of 1,618 Americans cur-rently listed as missing in action fromthe Vietnam War era. The NationalLeague of POW/MIA Families citesthat of those still unaccounted forfrom past conflicts, 73,126 Americansare still missing from World War II,7,802 Americans from the KoreanWar, the aforementioned 1,618 fromthe Vietnam War, 126 from the ColdWar, and six Americans from Iraq,Afghanistan and other conflicts, total-ing a staggering 82,678.

One way Spake has been able to heal

and cope is to talk with those whoknew her father. Naval aviators are of-ten known as a tight-knit community,and those who flew with him have

shared her father’s stories, which hashelped her piece his life experiencestogether to answer questions.

Directly after the ceremony, Spake

was introduced to a gentleman whoonce flew with her father. RetiredNavy Rear Adm. Jim Lair was the sen-ior landing signal officer of Carrier AirWing 11, responsible for the carrierlanding work-ups for Pike’s squadronat NAS Lemoore between 1970 and1971. They flew together in joint train-ing mission packages at NAS Fallon,Nevada, before the squadron’s depar-ture to Southeast Asia.

“I ran into ‘Denny’ probably four orfive times a week,” said Lair. “He wasstill a nugget on his first cruise in ‘70and ‘71, but he was a very good avia-tor.”

Both Spake and Lair said they wereglad for the opportunity to share a fewmoments to talk about her father.

“Hearing about the man he was andthe friend he was makes me proud,”said Spake. “It helps me connect thedots and begin to color in some detailsthat I would never have otherwise.” ❖

U.S. NAVY PHOTO BY MASS COMMUNICATION SPECIALIST 2ND CLASS JASON HOWARD/RELEASEDChief petty officer selectees place covers on the Prisoner of War - Missing in Actionceremonial table during a POW/MIA remembrance ceremony at Naval Air Station FortWorth Joint Reserve Base. The ceremony was held in honor of the nearly 85,000 service members who were either Prisoners of War or are still Missing in Action.


Joe BrangwinU.S. Army Airbourne

1944 - 1946

I Co. 502 Reg.101st Airborne Div

CWO2 Neil A. CovingtonU.S. Army

C Jimmie LobackU.S. Army - Retired

21 Years Service

Richard K. HansingU.S. Navy - Retired - Deceased

20 Years Service

USN PR Chief

L. Harold JohnstonU.S. Air Force - Retired

1943 - 1946

American Campaign Medal,European African Middle Eastern

Campaign Medal, the GoodConduct Medal

Michael ArevalArmy Air Corp, AF Reserve,

US Air Force - Retired

21years, 7 months, 12 days

Good Conduct, National Defense, Commendation, Education

Achievement Cert, Master Instructor

Andrew LedesmaU.S. Air Force - Retired

4 Years Service

Honorable Discharge

Eugene CopelandU.S. Navy

1943 - 1946

WWIISonar Specialist

Richard WaltersU.S. Army - National Guard -

Honorably Discharged

4 Years Service

206 Signal Co., Ft. Gordon, GATours Puerto Rico, Japan, Korea

Lloyd F. FreemanU.S. Army

William Wagner, Jr.U.S. Navy - Deceased

30 Years Service

WWII Victory MedalNavy Commendation

Navy Achievement MedalGood Conduct

Vietnam Gallantry Cross

Kenneth LumbleyU.S. Navy - Retired

1954 - 1974

National Defense (One Star), MeritoriousUnit Commendation, Vietnam

Campaign Medal, Armed ForcesExpeditionary Medal, Good ConductAwards (3), Vietnam Service Medal

Will Levy, Jr.U.S. Navy

20 Years Service

National Defense Vietnam ServiceMedal, Navy Unit Commendation

David D. JonesU.S. Navy - Retired

22 Years Service

Combat Action Ribbon

William C. ElliottU.S. Marine Corps - Retired

2 Years ServiceGood Conduct Medal

National DefenceVietnam Service MedalRifleman-Sharpshooter

Brook CardozaU.S. Army

1995-1998

Former Vietnam War POW shares experiences with Fort Drum audience

BY MIKE STRASSERUnited States Army Staff Writer

FORT DRUM, N.Y. — More than 250 10th Mountain Division (LI) Soldiersand Department of Defense Civilians gathered Oct. 28 at the Multipurpose Au-ditorium to hear retired U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Barry Bridger share his experi-ence as a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War.

Bridger explained that the POW experience is a story of the power of tradi-tional American values. It was those deeply held beliefs that the service mem-bers brought with them into the camps that allowed them to survive.

That’s what 2,232 days as a prisoner in the infamous Hanoi Hilton taughthim.

“America’s prisoners of war in Vietnam quickly learned that the desperate,crushing environment of a POW camp can destroy the mind and the body, but itcannot touch the values of a good heart and spirit,” Bridger said.

Bridger explained how their captors continuously attempted to exploit POWsto sway public opinion and discredit the United States. He said that despite be-

ing brutally tortured for weeks on end to comply with anti-war propaganda — toinclude signing amnesty agreements — the prisoners did not yield.

“No military information of any significance was given, and 100 percent of theAmerican prisoners walked into the torture chambers rather than sign on thedotted line,” he said.

Bridger spoke about the period of “re-education” that was designed to breakthe prisoners’ will to resist.

“Re-education consisted of bombarding us with anti-war broadcasts, shower-ing us with anti-war literature and showing anti-war movies and reading anti-war letters,” Bridger said.

He explained that the physical abuse occurred primarily in the first two yearsof captivity. That was followed by several years of psychological pressures --threats of more torture, isolation, abandonment and removal. Camp authorityfigures also read letters of divorce from prisoners’ wives, Bridger said, in an at-tempt to destroy their sense of self-esteem.

“Not all of us were able to handle the trials and tribulations of POW life pre-cisely the same. Some of us were walking on the thin edge of sanity.”


Bill CampU.S. Navy - Retired

20 Years Service

WWII - GuadalcanalKorean War

Served aboard the USS Waspbeing shot and subsequently sank

Mark VargasUS Navy - Deceased

8 years service

Navy and Marine Corps Achievement(x2), Meritorious Unit Commendation,Navy Good Conduct (x2), National De-fense Service , Afghanistan Campaign,

Global War on Terrorism Service

Robert LusherU.S. Army / U.S. Navy

8 Years Service

Served in Iraq War

Joe BrangwinUS Air Force - Discharged

2 Years Service

1st Airborne Division

Honoring and Thanking our Service Men and Women for all they do to Protect our Freedoms

PROUDLY HONORING THE MEMBERS OFTHE UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES

THANK YOUFOR ALL YOU DOTO PROTECT OUR

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He spoke of one service member, whowas tortured so badly that he was losttouch with reality. His captors called him“faker” and refused to provide any treat-ment.

“We had to hold this young man downon the concrete bed twice a day. We cutoff the air flow to his nose, forcing him tobreathe through his mouth so we can cram food down his throat to keep himalive,” Bridger said. “We were not about to let this young man perish while wecould care for his life.”

He spoke of Navy Capt. Jeremiah Denton, who was beaten into reading a con-fession on a North Vietnamese broadcast. Using POW code, he repeatedlyblinked the word “torture,” which Bridger said was understood by the Americanintelligence community. Bridger said this was just one of many examples of howAmerican POWs thwarted propaganda efforts through stubborn refusal to coop-erate.

“Would you believe we had some absolutely terrific resisters because they wereobstinate people? In other words, these individuals did not want to be told whatto do, whether by a legitimate senior officer or NCO,” he said. “They darn sure

didn’t want to be told by the camp au-thority.”

While Bridger was being interrogated,he was asked how fast his fighter jetcould fly. At first, he merely said “veryfast.” He was asked a second time andthen said “200 miles an hour.”

“He turns to me and says, ‘You lie. Itgoes much faster.’ I said, ‘No lie. I’m a junior pilot. I’m not allowed to fly thatfast,” he said.

While the POWs shared no information with the North Vietnamese govern-ment, to each other they were like open books. Bridger said to stave off boredomthey would talk about everything — from home construction to thermodynam-ics. He said that they spent years with their ears pressed against three-foot-thickconcrete walls, listening to the lessons from fellow subject-matter expertsthrough tap code. Bridger said that when they returned home and attended col-lege, many of these former prisoners were able to excel in academia.

“Never underestimate the power of the human spirit and never underestimatethe power of knowledge,” he said.

Bridger remained on stage after his speech to field a few questions from the

“Never underestimate the power of the human spirit and never underestimate the

power of knowledge.”— USAF Lt. Col. Barry Bridger


Jerry HinzoUS Marines

1949-1951

Dave GuerrieriU.S. Navy - Retired

14 Years Service

William D. ZirgerU.S. Navy - Retired

22 Years Service

7 Navy Marine CorpsAcheivement Medals

& many others

Kenneth KeelingU.S. Air Force

1975 - 1995

Saluting all of ourMilitary on Veterans Day

Saluting all of ourMilitary on Veterans Day

Peggy BreedenSwap Sheet

We are grateful to those who haveserved our country so courageouslyand continue to serve. Thank You!

audience. Bridger, who was released from captivity in March 1973, was asked ifhe ever returned to Vietnam. He said that 55 of them would make a trip to Viet-nam again, and he told a story about one of his friends who took a tour of theprison camp. The guide was providing some misinformation about how thePOWs were fed three meals a day and allowed to play sports. Bridger said hisfriend set them straight on the facts.

“The guide asked, ‘Who are you and how can you say that?’ and my friendsaid, ‘Because that was my room right there.’ And he took over the tour,” Bridgersaid. “The tour guide said, ‘I didn’t know.’”

This professional development session was hosted by the U.S. Army Garrison- Fort Drum command team of Col. Bryan Laske and Command Sgt. Maj.Kristopher Cook.

Laske said that presentation served as a way for Fort Drum Soldiers and Civil-ians to learn from Bridger’s experience so that they would never have to say “Ididn’t know.”

“It is an absolute privilege to have him here today,” Laske told the audience.“We talk about resiliency in the Army today, but in his day they talked aboutsurviving. He has a lot of great lessons for us to learn and a wealth of knowledgeto pass on.”❖

PHOTO BY MIKE STRASSERRetired Air Force Lt. Col. Barry Bridger addresses the audience Oct. 28 in the Multi-purpose Auditorium at Fort Drum.


Elmer CoxU.S. Army

WWII

James RandolphUS Navy

Air National Guard

Navy - 11 years

Heather A. ThomasU.S. Army - Active

4 Years Service

Steven RaineyU.S. Navy - Retired

24 Years Service

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Mick Gleason1st District Kern County Supervisor

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th monthof 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation ofhostilities, was declared between the Allied nationsand Germany in the First World War, then known as“the Great War.” Commemorated as Armistice Daybeginning the following year, November 11th becamea legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938.In the aftermath of World War II and the KoreanWar, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holidaydedicated to American veterans of all wars.

PROUD TO HONOR ALL OUR VETERANS

I Salute You...

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BY TAMARA R. DABNEYNavy Recruiting District Raleigh Public Affairs

RALEIGH, N.C. (NNS) -- On October 13th, the Navy celebrated its 241st birth-day.

This year’s theme, “America’s Sailor. For 241 Years: Tough, Bold, and Ready”echoes the legacy of honor, courage, and commitment Sailors have kept andpassed down since 1775. In the Campbell family, this legacy has been passeddown for three generations, from father to son to grandson.

The Navy tradition in the Campbell family began with Ronald Campbell. Heserved as a machinist’s mate during World War II, 1942-1948.

World War II was a period of tremendous advancement for the Navy. Markedby technological innovation and the unyielding patriotism of the tough, youngSailors who had been drafted to serve during the war, this era saw America’sNavy become the greatest the world had ever known.

Ronald Campbell’s son, David Campbell, watched and admired his father’stoughness and loyalty to his country and family.

“Everybody has a hero,” said David. “Mine was my father. He grew up in pover-ty; they didn’t have much, but they had a moral code. They didn’t rob and steal,and he was taught to protect the weak. This is the moral code my dad lived by asa man and a Sailor, and they’re the principles that I was raised on.”

David admired his father so much he decided to follow in his footsteps.“My Dad served; it was an honorable profession, so I wanted to serve,” he said.December 1964, during the Vietnam War, David enlisted in the Navy. He

proudly served as a machinist’s mate, just as his father had done 16 years before.The Vietnam War was not like any war America had ever fought and it brought

with it new adversity. Many Americans opposed the war, people questionedwhether the draft and the war itself was ethical. Pictures and video footage de-picting the horrors of war could be seen on every news outlet in the country. Still,David Campbell boldly served his country during the war and continued to serveafter it ended for a total of 29 years, achieving the rank of commander.

“Family and duty to your country is what it’s about,” David said.Though he followed in his father’s footsteps, he didn’t necessarily push his own

son, Jonathan Campbell, to do the same.

Tough, Bold, Ready: A family’s Naval service legacy


Harold W. RobertsUS Navy Reserve

1944-1946

PO 3rd Class, Signalman

Nathan M. GarciaU.S. Army

Specialist, 4th Calvary

Served in Korea andFort Hood, Texas

Kenneth KelleyU.S. Navy - Retired

1963 - 1990

Defense Superior Service Medal,Legion of Merit

Navy Commendation Medalw/2 gold Stars

Joy Leach LawsonU.S. Navy

1952 - 1955

Served in the Korean War

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“I wanted him to go to college and continue his education after high school,”said David. “I didn’t want him doing everything the hard way like me. If he didjoin (the military), I told him not to do it just because it’s something to do; do itbecause you want to serve.”

Not only did his son want to serve, but he wanted to serve in the Navy as a ma-chinist’s mate. So just as his father had done 44 years before and as his grandfa-ther had done 22 years before that, in December of 2008, Jonathan enlisted inthe Navy as a machinist’s mate.

“I joined the Navy because it’s something that I felt I needed to do,” saidJonathan. “I watched the service members come back home from Iraq andAfghanistan, and I decided that I should serve and give back to my country. It’s afamily tradition.”

Jonathan said he doesn’t plan on separating from the Navy until he reachesmaximum retirement age. Having watched his father serve and having heard sto-ries about his grandfather’s service in the Navy, he learned the meaning of com-mitment. His loyalty and readiness to serve is part of the Navy legacy and his

family legacy. In essence, Navy heritage is Campbell family heritage.“Traits that the Navy probably put in my father, like good work ethic, I see

those in myself now,” Jonathan said. “My dad instilled those traits in me. If mykids want to serve, I will fully support them. Service to others is more importantthan anything else, and that’s what I want to make sure my kids understand. Thisis a family tradition for us.”

Through World War II, the Vietnam War, and the modern wars in the MiddleEast, each Campbell has boldly carried with him an unwavering commitment toservice.

Tough, bold, and ready -- these are traits that helped build generations ofCampbell boys into the men their fathers raised them to be, and they are thecharacteristics which have defined America’s Sailors for 241 years.

As we celebrate the Navy’s 241st birthday, the Campbell family reminds us thatthe strength of Navy families is part of the foundation on which the toughness,boldness, and readiness of America’s Sailors is built.❖

On Veterans Day nationwide, Baskin Robbins is donating 11 cents USO for every scoop sold. Stop by!

My sincere gratitude to those brave patriots who

defended our country.

My heartfelt appreciation to thoseheroes who are currently fighting to

protect our freedoms.

CongressmanKevin McCarthy

PAID FOR BY KEVIN MCCARTHY FOR CONGRESS.

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