A Salute to
Veterans Special Pages of the Addison Independent • November 5, 2015
Anchors aweigh: first year at Annapolis Cornwall youth experiences life of a ‘plebe’ By EVAN JOHNSON
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Joseph Hounchell has hardly had a typical introduction to the college experience. As “plebe,” or first-year, in the Brigade of Midshipmen at the U.S. Naval Academy, the Cornwall native is in uniform at all hours, can recite the menu of the next three meals from memory, and is working toward a career in the Navy or Marine Corps after he graduates. It’s far from the trappings of many college freshmen, but that’s exactly what he enjoys. “It’s not always the most fun and it’s not a normal college, but in the big picture I really think I’m part of something bigger than myself by being here,” he said in a recent phone interview from the academy in Annapolis, Md. Pursuing a career in one of the most exclusive undergraduate institutions in the country wasn’t always part of his plan. As a senior at Middlebury Union High School last year, Hounchell, who is 18, hadn’t considered any of the service academies. But on a trip with his parents to tour colleges in the Washington, D.C., area, he found himself with an extra day. His father, Eric Hounchell, a 1992 graduate of the academy who served for five years in the Marine Corps, suggested they take
a tour. Impressed by what he saw, Joseph Hounchell decided to apply. In addition to writing essays and providing transcripts and advanced placement test scores, Hounchell submitted physical fitness results and received congressional nominations from Rep. Peter Welch and Sen. Patrick Leahy. Up until spring of his senior year his top two choices were the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor and Annapolis. Finally, he made his decision for the academy. “I liked what it stood for and I liked the opportunities that it seemed to provide,” he said. WELCOME TO THE NAVY Hounchell’s journey started on Induction Day, July 1, which marked the start of “Plebe Summer,” a six-week indoctrination to naval and military codes of conduct and intensive physical training. He and the other plebes received uniforms and military haircuts, underwent medical evaluations and learned to render a salute. Plebes also each received a copy of “Reef Points,” a 225-page handbook of information about the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, the Naval Academy’s history and traditions, the administrative chain of command, and the general (See Hounchell, Page 9)
JOE HOUNCHELL IN his spiffy new white uniform stands with his father, Eric, in Annapolis, Md., near the campus of the U.S. Naval Academy. Eric Hounchell graduated from the institution and Joe is a first-year student.
Veteran finds his voice for peace after he leaves the army By GAEN MURPHREE
MIDDLEBURY — “Even today, when I stand up at hockey games for ‘The Star Spangled Banner,’ the first thought in my mind is Charlie Lee,” said Reg Spooner. Spooner, 78, has lived his whole life in Middlebury. His dad worked for Monument Farms. Spooner worked
there some too. His high school physics teacher encouraged him to go to college and get a degree in engineering. But back in the 1950s, there was little of today’s public funding for students to pay for college. The relatively new G.I. Bill was for vets only. So Spooner knew college was out of the
question. Instead, he enlisted in the Army soon after graduating from Middlebury High School in 1956 to study electronics and to fulfill his obligation to serve in the military. “There was a boy from Middlebury who went into the service the same day I did,” Spooner continued. “We rode the
bus together down to the induction center down in Manchester, N.H. His name was Charlie Lee. Charlie and I sent letters back and forth to each other on occasion. He was in electronics school in the Air Force, while I was in electronics school in the Army. He was in Colorado, not too (See Spooner, Page 2)
PAGE 2 • A
Salute To Veterans • A publication of the Addison Independent, November 5, 2015
ROTARY
4th Annual
Flag Project to Honor Veterans The Middlebury Rotary Club is pleased to announce an expansion of its Flag Raising Project to promote patriotism and to raise funds for charitable use in our community. We invite you to honor the life of a Veteran, either living or dead, as well as those on Active Duty, by permitting us to display an American flag in Cannon Park during the follow ing time periods: Memorial Day Weekend Flag Day Independence Day Weekend Labor Day Weekend Veteran’s Day In exchange for a $50.00 subscription, Rotarians will inscribe a 4”x 5” plaque with the Veteran’s name, branch of service, tour of duty or years of service. The plaque will then be affixed onto a 10’ pole (together with a 3’ x 5’ flag). All flags will be installed just after sunrise and removed before sunset for storage until the next holiday. Local charities are selected annually to benefit from your generosity and patriotism. This year’s beneficiaries are: HOPE, Charter House Coalition, Elderly Services, Turning Point and VT Special Olympics. For further information, please contact us at rotaryflagproject@gmail.com or Tim Hollander 388-3808
Name of Subscriber____________________________ Street Address ________________________________ City, State, Zip ________________________________ Phone________________________________________ Email Address ________________________________ Name of Veteran______________________________ (please print)
(rank, if known)
Branch of Service______________________________ Tour of Duty__________________________________ (e.g. Desert Storm, Viet Nam)
Years of Service_______________________________ (e.g. 1992 – 1996)
Please make checks payable to: Middlebury Rotary Club, PO Box 46, Middlebury, VT 05753
ASSOCIATE MEMBERS OF Veterans for Peace Carolyn Spooner, left, and Gordon Cawood, center, hold a banner with veteran member Reg Spooner, who served in the Army from 1956 to 1964. Independent photo/Trent Campbell
Spooner (Continued from Page 1) far from where I was in Texas. “Charlie got activated and sent to Taiwan, and he was on a radar maintenance crew working on aircraft in Taiwan. He fell off a stepladder, broke his neck, and died. He was not considered a combat fatality because there was no combat going on, even though he was there. “I helped carry his coffin to the grave the day after Christmas in 1957. Right here in Middlebury. His mother ended up in an insane asylum. His father committed suicide. His brother has never been right since. So it destroyed the whole family. “If that doesn’t make a peace activist out of you, nothing will.” For the past 12 years, veteran Reg Spooner has been an active member of Vermont’s Will Miller Green Mountain chapter of Veterans for Peace. If you’ve ever attended the Middlebury Memorial Day Parade — or any of a number of parades around Vermont — you’ve seen Reg Spooner and fellow VFP activists marching in the parade, carrying white dove puppets that flutter in the breeze, wearing their black T-shirts and carrying their black banner, all emblazoned with the signature VFP white dove clutching an olive branch. With more than 8,000 members nationwide, Veterans for Peace works broadly to end what it sees as U.S. militarism, to support veterans, and to provide information about the human, environmental, economic and constitutional cost of war. It also holds a permanent NGO (nongovernmental organization) seat at the United Nations. According to the ever-whirring counter on the national group’s website, at the time this article went to press, the “cost of U.S. wars since 2001” had risen to over $1.6 trillion. Veterans for Peace also has an ongoing campaign to reclaim the original meaning of Veterans Day, which was first established in 1919 not only to honor the
men who fought in World War I but also to commemorate the moment on “the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” when World War I, the “war to end all wars,” came to an end. Celebrated for 35 years as Armistice Day, it was changed to Veterans Day in 1954 to honor veterans from World War II, the Korean War and all American conflicts. PARADING FOR PEACE The Vermont VFP chapter has over 50 members, representing veterans from all branches and from conflicts as far back as World War II and up to current wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Vermont group marches in parades throughout the state, hosts a monthly televised call-in show, does what it calls “truth in recruiting” outreach to (See Peace, Page 5)
REG SPOONER
A Salute To Veterans • A publication of the Addison Independent, November 5, 2015 • PAGE 3 Vermont veterans benefits office gets new renovations
VERMONT — The White River Junction Veterans Affairs Medical Center recently reopened the White River Junction VA Regional Veterans Benefits Administration Office. To mark the occasion, officials held a ribbon-cutting ceremony this past Friday with guest speakers Sen. Patrick Leahy and Rep. Peter Welch in attendance. The renovation of the White River Junction Benefits Office was accomplished in order to bring the Vermont office up to VBA facility standards and improve its ability to serve veterans in this part of New England. The new layout makes the most of technology, including the Veterans Benefits Management System that has helped speed claims processing for veterans nationwide. Renovation of the VA Benefits Office cost approximately $3.2 million and was accomplished in just under three years, from design to completion of construction. The aim of consolidating VBA services on Veterans Health Administration campuses is to create seamless support and services in one location for the nation’s veterans.
Sounding the call
BRISTOL VETERANS OF Foreign Wars chapter member Tim Heffernan blows Taps at the Vermont Boy Scout Veterans Tribute in Bristol last November.
Photo by Marianne Eaton of Bristol
To those who protected and served,
We Thank You for the dedication shown and the sacrifices made.
213 Exchange Street Middlebury • 388-3014
PAGE 4 • A
Salute To Veterans • A publication of the Addison Independent, November 5, 2015
We Thank You! Agway Thanks all Veterans and Military Personnel for your service to our country.
You’ve served us – now let us serve you! Visit Agway Sat 11/7 thru Wed 11/11(Veteran’s Day) for a FREE PROPANE FILL (up to 20lbs.)
PLUS… an extra 10% OFF ANYTHING in the store! Including items already on sale! MANY IN-STORE SPECIALS
From Clothing to Pet Food and Supplies, all Veterans and Military Personnel will SAVE an Extra 10% on their entire purchase!
MIDDLEBURY AGWAY 338 Exchange St., Middlebury • 388-4937
www.middleburyagway.com
OPEN
7 DAYS
Monday - Friday 8-6, Saturday 8-5 • Sunday 9-4
YOUR YARD, GARDEN AND PET PLACE™
Saluting our Veterans
Middlebury American Legion
49 Wilson Rd., P.O. Box 28, Middlebury, Vt. 05753 • 802-388-9311 • legionpost27@aol.com
A Salute To Veterans • A publication of the Addison Independent, November 5, 2015 • PAGE 5
Peace tells you about it.” (Continued from Page 2) high school students to give them a clearer In 1956 when Spooner enlisted in the picture of life in the military, opposes drone Army, there was an active draft. All young warfare, has campaigned against bringing men were required to serve. (The allthe F-35 stealth bomber to Burlington and volunteer system didn’t kick in until 1973.) has spoken out against the militarization of But as in the Vietnam War era, your parents’ the Vermont police force. pocketbook affected your eligibility for Spooner is particularly concerned about deferments. If you went to college, you were the toll war takes on all soldiers, whether required to serve only six months of active they see frontline combat or not. He thinks duty and could go in as an officer, Spooner Vermonters are lucky to have such a good said. Regular enlisted men were required to Veterans Administration serve three years, according hospital. And he mentions the “At the end of to Spooner, and he said all suicide statistics from ongoing young men were required to the eight years I conflicts in the Mideast. serve a total of eight years “Most people are not got my honorable of some combination of conscious of this fact but in discharge, and active, reserve and standby Iraq and Afghanistan we’ve then I could start enlistment. lost, what, 4,500 people or living a life.” Like many men of his era, something of the sort, but — Reg Spooner Spooner enlisted because there’s over 13,000 who’ve he was told that that would come back and committed give him better options and suicide.” outcomes than waiting for the inevitable As a Veterans for Peace activist, Spooner draft. He was told that enlisting would give said the most important thing “is to let the him more choice as to training and less rest of the people know what it’s like to likelihood to be sent close to likely combat go through that trauma because everybody zones (the U.S. involvement in Vietnam was who goes into the military has some sort of slowly gathering steam). effect by it. You’re psychologically affected Spooner graduated at the top of his Army by it just by going in. The fact of being electronics school and served out the rest threatened, the fact that you might have to of his enlistment teaching electronics at the go into a combat zone is a threat. So you same base. have to live that threat every day when you But for all eight years, Spooner felt like wake up. People who have not ever been his life was on hold because he knew could through that threat don’t understand that get sent to Vietnam at any moment. threat. And they can’t feel it because they “At the end of the eight years I got my don’t know what it’s like unless somebody honorable discharge, and then I could start
living a life,” said Spooner. “All the time I he’d been double Purple Hearted, he’d been was in the military I was a peace-oriented injured twice in Vietnam — and he got his person. And when I got out of the service, I uniform on and everything. And they had a stayed that way, and I finally got married and tank in a Memorial Day parade, and Ed went had kids and bought a house, bought a car and lay down in front of the tank with his and all the things I didn’t dare do because I medals on and said, ‘You’re not moving this was afraid I was going to head for Vietnam.” tank!’ He stopped the parade, and the people After leaving the service, he established were having a fit. He wanted everybody to his own business in Middlebury doing know that that tank is a killing machine. It’s electronics repair, and then worked for 13 not something to praise.” years in the research department at what PEACE VIGILS was then a B.F. Goodrich Spooner soon joined Will plant in Vergennes, where his “He wanted Miller Green Mountain defense-related work required Veterans for Peace and everybody to a security clearance. became a fixture for over 10 The entire time — his whole know that that years at the Saturday morning working life — Spooner felt tank is a killing peace vigils on the green in silenced and unable to speak machine. It’s Middlebury. out about his true feelings not something to “I was standing on the street about war and about the corner down here one day and praise.” defense industry. “I was afraid one of my former workers that — Reg Spooner to speak up all those years worked with me at Goodrich because I was working for a came by and said, ‘More military contractor,” said Spooner. “And power to you, Reg, there’s a lot of us like when you’re in retail business, you can’t you!’ say anything because you might ostracize “Before that, I couldn’t say a damn word somebody. You can’t say anything because (about my feelings at work).” somebody is going to hate you for it. But my Spooner’s friend, 86-year-old Gordon life was always around peace.” Cawood, an associate member of Veterans Spooner began to end his silence, once for Peace, tells a story that frequently he met his second wife’s favorite cousin, shadows Spooner’s. Older than Spooner, Ed Leeper, a decorated Korean War and but too young to fight in World War II, Vietnam War veteran, former Green Beret, Cawood was 14 when his older brother, son of a Marine and noted peace activist. Victor, was killed in combat somewhere “He was an amazing man,” said Spooner. near Emmendorf, Germany. “Probably the most famous thing he did is “It made me want to get in the Army and he put on all of his medals on his uniform — (See Cawood, Page 10)
Thank you to all active Military and to all Veterans who have served so courageously. Our deepest appreciation for your service in your work to protect us and to promote peace in the world. – Rod & Shelly Cousino
Branches in Barre, Chester, Essex Junction, Springfield, VT and Claremont, NH
We Honor and Remember Our Veterans
Cousino Financial Services 23 West St., Bristol, VT 453-2497
Jackman Fuels, Inc. “Let us always remember & salute our veterans”
A Salute to All Who Have Served
Sanderson -Ducharme Funeral Home Locally Owned and Operated • On Site Cremation
117 South Main St. • Middlebury • 388-2311
Serving Addison & Chittenden Counties Since 1945 Fuel Oil • LP Gas • K-1 Kerosene Vergennes • 877-2661 • jackmanfuels.com
PAGE 6 • A
Salute To Veterans • A publication of the Addison Independent, November 5, 2015 Lucien C. Farnsworth
Betty Hall
Airman First Class U.S. Air Force Served in Korea, Japan & Germany
U.S Air Force Eglin, AFB Florida
Thank you, Lucien for all you did in the service 1950-1954 – Your loving family
Thanks for your service.
SUBMITTED BY CAREEN FARNSWORTH
SUBMITTED BY MICHELLE HALL
Airman Hunter Gallipo E 3 • US Air Force Sheppards Air Force Base, TX
–Mom & Grammie
Larry Kenneth Gile Medical Corpsman U.S. Navy Served in Vietnam
Carry on Air Force Strong! So proud of you.
We are all very proud of you! Love– Donna, Carl, Neil & families
SUBMITTED BY LAURA JONES, SALISBURY
SUBMITTED BY DONNA GILE, BRISTOL
Rodney Grant
Sargeant Devin Rochon
Sargeant, U. S. Army
U. S. Army Fort Bragg, N.C.
We love you! Thank you for your 20 years of service and for making us safe by putting your life on the line. – your wife & girls
With honor and pride, thank you, Devin and to all who have served and are serving now. Love– Dad, Alaina & Wyatt
SUBMITTED BY LYNNE GRANT, LINCOLN
Joseph Woods Charles Woods Private, U.S. Army Goodfellow AFB, TX
Sr. Airman, U.S. Air Force Mtn. Home AFB, ID
Stephen H. Webb Staff Sargeant U. S. Army Served in Korea
Always my heroes. Very proud of my sons.
Thank you, Dad
SUBMITTED BY DOUGLAS R. WOODS, msgt, usaf (ret)
SUBMITTED BY STEVE WEB, MIDDLEBURY
Oakley M. Palmer Master Sargeant, Retired Army Reserve Retired after 36 years. Weekend warrior in reserve army. Markmanship National Rifleman Matches Champion SUBMITTED BY MAGGIE PALMER
Bob Levine Sailor U.S. Navy USS Arequipa Served on board the USS Arequipa, a refrigerated cargo ship in Manilla Bay on V-J Day unloading beer from the hold to distribute to other ships in the area.
SUBMITTED BY KEN LEVINE
A Salute To Veterans • A publication of the Addison Independent, November 5, 2015 • PAGE 7 We proudly recognize veterans and active-duty service members in these pages each year. Individual tributes submitted to the Addison Independent and printed free of charge. It is our way of saying Thank You for your service to our country and our community.
HM2 James McClay U.S. Navy WWII 1945
SUBMITTED BY JIM MCCLAY
Ron LaRose LTC (RET) U. S. Army Thank you for 39 years of service.
SFC Jim McClay U.S. Marine Corps U.S. Army OIF-111, Iraq 2005
SUBMITTED BY CONNIE LAROSE, BRISTOL
SUBMITTED BY JIM MCCLAY
David M. Hall
Charles E. Sabourin
Lance Corporal U.S. Marine Corps: 1999-2003 Aviation Ordnance Technician
Corporal U.S. Marine Corps Served in Guam and China, WWII 1944 -1946
MCRD Parris Island, SC MCT Camp Geiger, NC NAS Pensacola, FL MCAS Cherry Point, NC
Served honorably from January 1944 to August 1946. Continues to be a wonderful father, grandfather, chef and card player. Thank you, Grandpa, for your service to our country. We love you.
SUBMITTED BY JENNIFER SABOURIN
SUBMITTED BY JENNIFER SABOURIN
James A. Bouvier 1st Lieutenant U. S. Army Air Force 1941-’45 Served in WWII in Grafton – Underwood, England
SP4 Mark Torrey Vermont Army National Guard 1975
Thanks for all you gave in service to your country. SUBMITTED BY CONNIE BOUVIER LAROSE, BRISTOL
SM Sgt Bryan Kinder M Sgt Kelly Kinder
SUBMITTED BY JIM MCCLAY
SGT Tom McClay
Active Duty U. S. Air Force Academy Colorado Springs
U.S. Army Hawaii 1980
SUBMITTED BY JIM MCCLAY
SUBMITTED BY JIM MCCLAY
PAGE 8 • A
Salute To Veterans • A publication of the Addison Independent, November 5, 2015
With great appreciation & gratitude to: Bristol American Legion, Post #19 Middlebury American Legion, Post #27 Vergennes American Legion, Post #14
From the Addision County Legion Baseball Players and Coaches ~ past & present
Bristol American Legion, Inc. Post 19
Salutes all Veteransthose that served in the past and those currently serving. Brick forms for the memorial are still available.
The Bristol American Legion Post 19 meets at 7pm the 4th Wednesday of every month.
A Salute To Veterans • A publication of the Addison Independent, November 5, 2015 • PAGE 9
Hounchell (Continued from Page 1) orders of a sentry. New midshipmen are required to memorize virtually all of the more than 1,000 facts outlined in the book. At the end of the summer, Hounchell completed the physical readiness test, including 45 push-ups and 65 sit-ups in less than four minutes and ran 1.5 miles in under 10:30. He ran through obstacle courses and became certified in shooting the Navy’s standard issue rifle and pistol. He also took sailing lessons — his first ever — on the Severn River at its confluence with the Chesapeake Bay, where the academy is located. The summer heat, grueling workouts and demanding mental exercises took their toll. “It’s all part of breaking you down so they have something to work with,” he said. By the end of the second week in August, he and the 1,192 members of the class of 2019 were ready to begin school. THE LIFE OF A PLEBE On two or three mornings every week, Hounchell wakes at 5:15 a.m. for a morning workout on the campus grounds. It can be anything from a game of capture the flag to a series of hill sprints, push-ups and sit-ups. Otherwise, his alarm sounds at 6 o’clock sharp, after which he leaves his room in Bancroft Hall, the largest college dormitory in the world, joining the rest of the plebes in a formation called “chow call.” They each recite the menu items of the day, officers of the watch and the uniform of the day for the upperclassmen who are still in bed. “Basically, we act as the alarm clock,”
Thank you for your Service.
he said. also have physical education requirements. Afterward, they make their morning All plebes are required to take boxing and quarters formation where the company is wrestling in their first year as well as a split into four platoons for inspection and mandatory sports period. This semester, announcements. At 7:15 a.m., Hounchell Hounchell is participating in flag football — is at breakfast with the entire brigade of no surprise since he played four years as a 4,511 midshipmen in King Hall. The dining receiver and cornerback for the MUHS Tiger facility features 372 tables spread out over a football team. 55,000-square-foot area. His first class starts After a mandatory 8-10 p.m. study period, at 7:55 a.m. This semester, he plebes are required to be in bed has chemistry, calculus, English, “It’s one of at 11 p.m. fundamentals of seamanship, As an additional requirement, those places a leadership theory class and a plebes are assigned a chapter government theory class. Each where you get every week from “Reef Points” is 50 minutes long and he has 10 out of it what to study for a quiz every Friday minutes to get to every class. evening. Topics can include the you put in. If Half of his professors are you want to elements of surface warfare, officers in the Navy or Marine have a good including all specifications of Corps while the others are a Nimitz-class nuclear aircraft civilians. His favorite class is time with it, carrier, its size, mission, English, which he says is taught you’ll have a armament, variety of planes on by a dramatic professor who good time but the ship, crew size and visual resides in the area. identification. if you take “She’s the complete opposite a woe-is-me It’s a full day every day, and of what this place is about,” he when Hounchell’s friends from attitude, you’ll home ask what his days are said. “She dresses like Lady Gaga and she’s very expressive suffer.” like, his first response is often — Joe Hounchell “tiring.” and dramatic, but she’s incredibly smart as well.” “It’s one of those places where They’ve just finished reading Greek you get out of it what you put in,” he said. “If tragedies like Sophocles’ Oedipus Cycle you want to have a good time with it, you’ll and have now started a unit on gothic horror have a good time but if you take a woe-is-me including William Faulkner’s “A Rose for attitude, you’ll suffer.” Emily” and Truman Capote’s “Miriam.” PLANS FOR THE FUTURE Lunch is at noon and classes resume at Hounchell’s tuition is paid for by the 1:30. academy under the condition that upon In addition to coursework, midshipmen graduation he give five years of service in one
“Thank you for your dedication and service.”
of four areas: special warfare, which includes the Navy SEALs and Explosive Ordnance Disposal; naval aviation, where Hounchell would serve as a pilot; surface warfare, which includes a variety of positions as a naval officer; or the Marines, where he could serve in air, ground or support divisions. While every graduate serves the minimum of five years, graduates who elect to serve on submarines or as pilots will undergo more training and will serve 10 years. If he chooses the Navy, he will graduate as an ensign. If he chooses the Marines, he will come out a second lieutenant. While Hounchell says it’s still early to decide, naval aviation and the Marine Corps’ ground combat element appeal to him and he said he could see himself completing his service before pursuing other opportunities in the fields of law, business or politics. He feels having the U.S. Naval Academy on his résumé will serve him well no matter what he decides to do next. “There aren’t many places that care what your major is after they see five years of service in a leadership position on your résumé,” he said. “Your major becomes somewhat moot after that point.” When he logs onto Facebook and sees the vastly different lifestyle his friends have at other colleges, Hounchell sometimes feels pangs of homesickness or thinks about a more conventional college experience. But overall, he says, the effort has been worth it. “In the long run, I’m really happy with where I am, and I’m really happy with my decision to be here,” he said.
Cemetery Lettering, Cleaning & Restoration
Thank you to all our veterans! “Serving the Champlain Valley Since 1887”
802-877-3118
85 years of honoring memories
Roofing and Custom Sheet Metal Fabrication
57 Main Street (next to the Post Office) New Haven • 453-3433
388-2903
Visit us online at: www.cleggsmemorials.com
Open Monday - Friday • 10-5 or by appointment
OOOOOOOOOOOO
Elderly Services 112 Exchange St., Middlebury
Serving Elderly Veterans & Their Families Since 1981 We are a Veterans’ Administration Contract Adult Day Center
We Salute Our Veterans – Past and Present Miller-Ketcham & Mallory Funeral Homes Gary C. Stanley, Director & Veteran of 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team (Sep.)
388-3983 • www.elderlyservices.org
26 Franklin Street Brandon, VT 05733 • 247-5704
Thanks to our Veterans for Keeping us Connected to our Freedoms. Telecommunications Sales & Service Data Cabling & Fiber Optics 802-388-8999 John and Jim Fitzgerald
PAGE 10 • A
Salute To Veterans • A publication of the Addison Independent, November 5, 2015
Veterans Affairs Mobile Vet Center to make stops at CCV MONTPELIER — In November, the Department of Veterans Affairs Mobile Vet Center (MVC) will be visiting four Community College of Vermont (CCV) academic centers across the state. The vet center offers information on VA services, counseling for veterans and military families, and referrals to community agencies and service providers.
The MVC will be visiting CCV locations in Bennington, Winooski, Springfield and Newport during the month of November. All veterans and their families are welcome to visit the Mobile Vet Center. The vet centers will all be open 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The schedule for these workshops is as follows: • CCV-Bennington, 324 Main St., Monday, Nov. 9.
• CCV-Winooski, 1 Abenaki Way, Thursday, Nov. 12. • CCV-Springfield, 307 South St., Friday, Nov. 13. • CCV-Newport, 100 Main St., Tuesday, Nov. 17. To learn more about the Mobile Vet Center, contact CCV Veteran & Military Resource Advisor Kyle Aines at 802-888-1381. CCV serves more than 600 veterans and military-connected students each year, and is committed to honoring their service and providing essential services to meet their needs. The Veteran and Military Services team offers a range of support, including professional tutoring, specialized career services, and access to VA Vet Center services.
Cawood (Continued from Page 5) get a gun and go over there and kill the bastards that did this to my brother,” said Cawood, of Middlebury. “But of course I was too young.” Cawood was able to go to college and fulfill Spooner’s dream of getting a college degree in electrical engineering. Cawood, too, joined Veterans for Peace after retirement as an associate member. Although a non-veteran, Cawood worked his entire life in defense-related industries and held jobs that, like Spooner’s at B.F. Goodrich, required security clearance. And like Spooner, Cawood felt “My entire similarly silenced. “My entire career was governed by career was the Cold War, a total of 40 years, all on governed by war materials for the Cold War,” said Cawood, whose career included working the Cold War, on firing-control and navigation systems a total of 40 for submarines. years, all on Unlike Boston’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which has famously barred war materials Veterans for Peace from participating for the Cold since 2011, Vermont towns have been War.” more welcoming. One even awarded the — Gordon group its Fourth of July parade’s “Most Cawood Patriotic” award, said Spooner. Both men said that crowds can differ. Some people stand and clap as Veterans for Peace walks by; others just stay silent. Spooner relates how the group marched in one parade in Morrisville and got nothing but stony silence for most of the route. A local National Guard unit had just returned from Iraq, the unit had just lost a number of local guys, and that very Guard unit was marching in the same parade. “We were kind of cold shouldered all the time. Lining up for the parade, nobody would come near us. People weren’t clapping or anything when we came down Main Street. We turned the corner to go up to People’s Academy, and as we turned the corner,” said Spooner, “the announcer on the PA system stood up and said, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, these guys have been there, they know what it’s all about, they don’t want to go there again, and they want peace.’ And the world just erupted into applause. We were totally flabbergasted. And we walked up the hill, I tell you the rest of that parade was easy walking.” Reporter Gaen Murphree is at gaenm@addisonindependent. com.
Tom Frankovic, Sr. HM3, U.S. Navy & U.S. Marine Corps Camp Lejeune, NC Bless the forces there now – and bless the veterans who fought for our freedom. Semper Fi!
A Salute To Veterans • A publication of the Addison Independent, November 5, 2015 • PAGE 11 A special Thank You to those who have served and those who continue to serve.
Addison County Commission sAles, inC.
Thomas G. WisnoWski & sons RT. 125, EasT middlEbuRy, VT 05740
www.accscattle.com • 1-800-339-2697 • ACCS: 802-388-2661
Champlain Valley Equipment thanks all of our Veterans. Ask about our Veterans’ Discounts when you talk to our sales staff.
www.champlainvalleyequipment.com 453 Exchange St., Middlebur y • 388-4967
Veterans Are Never To Be Forgotten Proud to provide service to those who served. John Fuller, Master Plumber • 388-2019 Serving Addison County since 1989
VERGENNES
In honor of those who have served and who continue to serve. Thank You. www.JackmansInc.com 32 Pine Street, Bristol
453-2381
American Legion Post #14 • Ladies Auxillary Unit # 14 Sons of the American Legion Sq. #14
Honoring our country’s Armed Forces past, present and future
PAGE 12 • A
Salute To Veterans • A publication of the Addison Independent, November 5, 2015
Honoring All Who Have Served Veterans = Freedom
FREE Y R DELIVE
www.marbleworkspharmacy.com
Your Health is Our Concern
We are your independent, hometown community pharmacy for all your prescription needs, with a full line of over-the-counter items, cards and gifts. Stop in today and see why our customers are so loyal. 16 Creek Road, Middlebury • 388-6054 • Mon. - Fri. 7:30 - 5:30, Sat. 8:00 - 3:00 www.countrysidecarpetandpaint.com
Marble Works Middlebury • 388-3784 Hours: M-F 8-6, Sat 8-5 • Sun 9-2
187 Main Street Vergennes • 877-1190 Hours: M-F 9-6, Sat 9-3 • Sun 9-12
61 Pine Street Bristol • 453-2999 Hours: M-F 8-6, Sat 8-1 • closed Sun
PROUD TO SERVE THOSE WHO SERVED! The Medicine Chest is Addison County’s complete source for all your home medical equipment sales, rentals and sercvice needs. Have questions? Our experienced staff is here to help! Visit us at the Marble Works in Middlebury • 388-9801
Hakkapeliitta 7
HAKKAPELIITTA 7 Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 is a brand new studded tire designed for Nordic conditions, combining unparalleled winter properties and excellent driving comfort. Nokian Hakkapeliitta 7 is a chameleon on the winter roads, adjusting flexibly to changing weather conditions and different degrees of grip on the road.
HAKKAPELIITTA 8 Grip Like Never Before
Hakkapeliitta 8
The Nokian Hakkapeliitta 8 is the most advanced and safest tire on the market for the northern winter – designed with 50% more studs and quieter and less damaging to the road than its predecessor. The saw-toothed edged pattern on the rear part of the tread blocks improves the grip of the tire. The added structural reinforcement on the center section makes the tire more responsive to steering. Combining the anchor stud, flange design, and the Eco stud cushion with a revolutionary stud placement ensures supreme grip and soft stud contact on all driving surfaces.
Hakkapeliitta R2
HAKKAPELIITTA R2 State-of-the-Art
A non-studded tire that offers supreme driving comfort and safety. A new tire for drivers who require absolute driving comfort, tangible fuel savings, and non-studded winter tire technology with the best safety characteristics.
Thinking ahead to winter, keep us in mind for low rolling resistance Nokian Hakkapeliitta snow tires. We work on all Hybrids and Electric Vehicles, specializing in Toyota Prius. Family owned & operated for 30 years. Oldest locally owned & operated tire center!
The under car care specialists
33 Seymour Street • Middlebury, VT
33 Seymour Street, Middlebury, VT
388-7620
info@countytirecenter.com
388-7620
info@countytirecenter.com