Patrick J. Nelson enlisted in the National Guard right after turning 17. He knew that he wanted to be an Active Duty soldier. He walked into the recruiter’s office the week of 9/11 and started the process of transferring over to serve with his Active Duty brothers.
Michael J. McElmeelenlisted in the United States Army in March 1982. He attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. McElmeel went on to have numerous assignments, and received many awards and decorations.
Raymond R. Hamilton performed in every key leadership position in the Field Artillery career field up too First Sergeant. He believes that his highest decoration is the Master Parachutist Badge.
Adam Kawaguchi served as a senior intelligence analyst for 10 years in the Washington National Guard. He also served with the 3rd Brigade Combat Team from the 1st Cavalary Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom II.
Dave Rogers Badoracle, also known as the Jolly Rogers and on occasion, “Madder than Max” - is an Air Force veteran. He served with the Tactical Fighter Weapons Center, the 501st Tactical Missile Wing (operating GLCM Tactical Nuclear Weapons), the 833rd Air Division (F-4s, AT-38 and F-15s) and the 49th Fighter Wing (F-117 Stealth Fighters). Dave is also a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Traditional Aikido adn author or “Positive Aikido.”
Brad Schwertz enlisted in the Army when he was 22 years old as a generator mechanic. He has served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and is looking forward to going back to school to become a wind generator mechanic.
Rich Blake is a former Marine who participated in the initial invasion of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Rich was an infantryman who who specialized Shoulder-Fired Multi-Purpose Assault Weapons and Demolitions. Rich is currently pursuing his doctorate in Psychology and helped start a non-profit organization called The 6th Branch which unites veterans and non-veterans through collaborative community service.
Levi Difranza joined the National Guard in 2002 while he was a junior in high school. In 2004, he was deployed to Egypt. He deployed twice to Iraq in 2005 and 2007. In October of 2005, he was shot in the head during a firefight in Iraq. Despite being wounded, Levi was back with his fellow troops within 30 hours of being shot.
Teri Homer served in the Navy from 1967-1971 with two tours to Vietnam about the carrier USS Oriskany. Teri was an engine and fuel systems mechanic for A-7 Crossairs a light attach bomber/fighter.
Shane Mulcahy joined the Army following his high school graduation. Shane’s father served is a Vietnam veteran and Shane knew from a very young age that he wanted to joing the military.
Michael Smith served as an Engine Mechanic Third Class (EN3) and as a board-and-search rifle team member. He was took part in three Navy tours in Vietnam between 1967 and 1971; all on Ocean-going mine sweepers (MSO’s.)
Duke Barrett is a combat veteran of the Vietnam War. The Chicago-born paratrooper served as both an infantryman and a reconnaissance
scout with the United States Army’s 1st Air Cavalry Division at An Khe, South Vietnam. For his service in country, the army parachutist,
a.k.a “glorified grunt,” was awarded the Combat Infantryman’s Badge and the Purple Heart.
Tony was drafted into the United States Army on May 6, 1968 at the ripe old age of 19 years, 6 months and 2 days. He almost joined earlier that year, but backed out to take his chances with the draft. Tony attended basic & AIT at Fort Jackson, SC then he was off to Vietnam where he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division out of Cu Chi as a rifleman and ammo bearer for an M-60 machine gun.
Scott Trost is originally from Wasbasso, Minnesota. He joined the Army after high school in 1981. Scott has served 21 years and 10
months of active duty service and 30 years total counting his reserve duty.
Robert Robeson flew 987 combat medical evacuation missions in South Vietnam (1969-1970), helping to evacuate 2,533
patients. He had seven helicopters shot up by enemy fire and was twice shot down.
Eric Cox served in the U.S. Marine Corps from ’99 – ’05. Cox has published a book of memoirs about his personal experiences during the initial invasion of Iraq better known as Operation: Iraqi Freedom.
George Dahl was drafted in to the Army 4 days before Christmas in 1965 and was sent to Fort Leonardwood with about 1000 other draftees from Minnesota. They spent 10 days there doing nothing over Christmas, as the post was vacated for the Holidays. On January 3 orders came for them to go to Fort Lewis, Washington.
Tony Chliek was drafted into the United States Army on May 6, 1968 at the ripe old age of 19 years, 6 months and 2 days. He almost joined earlier that year, but backed out to take his chances with the draft. Tony attended basic & AIT at Fort Jackson, SC then he was off to Vietnam where he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division out of Cu Chi as a rifleman and ammo bearer for an M-60 machine gun.
Dan Dewey was born Brooklyn, NY 1942 and spent his formative years at Bishop Greer’s orphanage Hope Farm, NY courtesy NYC Children’s Court. Entered USAF 1963 and graduated from the 3431st School Sq Lowry AFB as a 461X0 Munitions Specialist. Drew Basic, Hazardous, Isolated, and Combat Pay over 4 years at the El Uotia Bomb Range Northern Sahara Desert and at Bien Hoa RVN assembling various munitions and recovering bombs with EOD.
Jason Arellano Grew up in New Mexico, Jason watched as his older cousins joined the United States Marine Corps. He even had the pleasure of seeing one of them graduate from MCRD in San Diego. Jason also had an uncle who was a Marine during his younger years. He remembers looking up to them quite a bit, and thinking to himself just how much of an honor it must be to hold the title of “U.S. Marine”. Jason began to see himself as eventually being a part of the Corps. He remembers watching the television during Operation Desert Storm, seeing the pictures of combat, and turning to his mom to say, “I will be there one day!” She said if that is what you wanted to do, she would support me 100%.
Paul Hughes was raised in the South. Paul was drafted into the United States Army in 1968 and served with the 196th Infantry, American Division, in the Central Highlands, Vietnam. He was critically wounded in September of 1969 and left for dead. After an incredible encounter with the after-life he revived.
John Knight entered the military by enlisting in the Ohio Army National guard in 1984. He was a member of the 237th Medical Support Bn in Columbus OH. After basic and 2 AIT’s, John became a medic, practical nurse & wardmaster.
Norman Bussel was born in Memphis, Tenn. and currently lives in Mohegan Lake, N.Y. During World War II, he served as a radio operator/gunner on a B-17 bomber. Flying out of Rattlesden, England on April 29, 1944, he was shot down over Berlin with four of his crew losing their lives. He was interned in Stalag Luft IV, at Grosstychow near the Baltic Sea. In February 1945, as Russian troops advanced, he was among the POWs the Germans moved by boxcar to a camp at Nuremberg to avoid liberation.
