Veteran's Day
11-11-2009, 03:31 PM
#16
Air Force Lt Col currently flying the E-4B (modified 747) currently sitting on alert. Started flying B-52 in the early 90s doing 25 combat sorties during DEERT STORM then transitioned to the KC,RC and OC-135 and haven't missed a conflict yet. Geeting ready to head out on another trip but I have been doing this for 21 years so don't know anything else. Besides, flying beats working!
11-11-2009, 06:06 PM
#17
Rennlist Member
Since it's Veteran's Day, let me tell you about a Vet I met last month...at a PCA DE down at Carolina Motorsport Park. Sat. a.m. at the "Meet & Greet" I waited 'til my name was called and held up my hand so my student could find me. An old gentleman came up (I'm 69 and he was OLD!). My student was Richard Gimmi and he was 86 years old, there with his son, Bob, who was just a little younger than I. Dick was driving an '08 Cayman S and we were in the Green Group. He was doing extremely well and each session, he improved. As time went by, I learned more and more about him: A retired AF Col. who flew B25's in WWII, F84's and F86's in the Korean War, then F105's in Vietnam. All that and more...He was type-rated in numerous aircraft and an instructor for most of them. His other son, Russell, also an AF Col., wrote a book about his exploits entitled "AIRMAN" (www.universe.com ISBN 978-1-4401-5311-2) Dick gave me an autographed copy as thanks for sitting in the right seat with him. It was my distinct pleasure and I heartily recommend the book. Needless to say, he had no problems with high speeds and fast closing rates...What a guy! Now, that's a real Veteran!
11-11-2009, 11:15 PM
#20
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USN Radioman 3C. Served aboard the USS Cascade out of Newport in 68-70. In country with SeaBees walking point up and down the Delta. The most interesting thing is that I made it home when alot of others did not!
11-12-2009, 03:57 AM
#23
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
Thanks all for contributing!
NC Trackrat great stories. Your comments about your CO made me think. In my 15+ years in the Army (3 as a ROTC Cadet and 12 as a Commissioned Officer) I have met two Congressional Medal of Honor winners.
One received his in WWII. When he received his medal he also received a Purple Heart, a commission to Second Lieutenant, and notice he was under investigation for Court Martial.
The other was COL Gordon Roberts. Who, as far as I know, is the only recipient on Active Duty. He won the medal as Specialist on Hamburger Hill.
What amazed me about both gentlemen was their true humility. Both were heroes, and both had gone far beyond the call of duty. But, both saw what they had done as just what needed doing. Hard to believe that single handily rushing machine guns pits is just what needs to be done, but that is what they did.
It was a great honor to met both of them
To all our Veterans out there. I wish you well and thank you for your service.
ALL THE WAY!
--Joe
NC Trackrat great stories. Your comments about your CO made me think. In my 15+ years in the Army (3 as a ROTC Cadet and 12 as a Commissioned Officer) I have met two Congressional Medal of Honor winners.
One received his in WWII. When he received his medal he also received a Purple Heart, a commission to Second Lieutenant, and notice he was under investigation for Court Martial.
The other was COL Gordon Roberts. Who, as far as I know, is the only recipient on Active Duty. He won the medal as Specialist on Hamburger Hill.
What amazed me about both gentlemen was their true humility. Both were heroes, and both had gone far beyond the call of duty. But, both saw what they had done as just what needed doing. Hard to believe that single handily rushing machine guns pits is just what needs to be done, but that is what they did.
It was a great honor to met both of them
To all our Veterans out there. I wish you well and thank you for your service.
ALL THE WAY!
--Joe
11-16-2009, 02:45 PM
#25
Three Wheelin'
Sorry for being so late:
US Army '66-'71. MOS 71542 (airborne commissioned grunt). Got out as a Captain. 101st Airborne Div. in '68, 5th Special Forces Group in '69. For all of those who have been "somewhere" - welcome home.
US Army '66-'71. MOS 71542 (airborne commissioned grunt). Got out as a Captain. 101st Airborne Div. in '68, 5th Special Forces Group in '69. For all of those who have been "somewhere" - welcome home.
11-16-2009, 03:45 PM
#28
Race Director
11-16-2009, 11:38 PM
#29
Advanced
Another late post - active duty Marine artilleryman, been at it for 21+ years (4 in the reserve, then active duty since). Have experienced every extreme environment I can think of; from the cold of Norway and high altitude/cold of Bridgeport, CA to the heat of Kuwait, Iraq, and the desert of 29 Palms, CA to the jungles and humidity of Okinawa, Japan. Thanks to all of my fellow service men and women past and present and may God bless the families of those who have fallen.
11-21-2009, 10:29 PM
#30
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Joe-- Thanks for providing such an appropriate place to share this website of the 2009 Edwards AFB Open House air show photo gallery, just sent to me by a family-member who used to test-fly F-111s at Edwards, CA.
MANY more great photos & captions at the above hyperlink!
No affiliation re: photos FS on-site.
MANY more great photos & captions at the above hyperlink!
I LOVE this shot. After take off, he banked hard left towards the crowd and we got this unusual and wonderful look at the C-17!
No affiliation re: photos FS on-site.
