Special Edition: Thank You Veteran's!

November 11, 2015

Veteran’s Day

Special Edition The

Collage

Thank you Veterans!

On behalf of The Gallery Team, we would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to our members who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Veteran’s Day is a day of celebration to honor America’s Veterans for their patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. The Gallery is proud to have so many of our members who have served our country, and we would like to take this opportunity to celebrate our Veterans.

Roger Aldrich - Air Force Bob Asbell - Marines Jack Barry - Army

Joe Beveridge - Army

Gayle Brace - Marines Steve Cohen - Army

Michael King - Air Force Dave Krueger - Air Force Tom LaTourrette - Army John LeMay - Navy

Steve Morris - Army Bill Nielsen - Navy

Jim Connor - Navy

Ray Peterson - Army

Norman Faye - Navy

Jim Redmond - Army

James Greenlee - Army

Rob Schrader - Air Force

Steve Dietrich - Air Force

Mike Qualio - Army

Mike Gilman - Army

Jim Riley - Army

Steven Goldman - Marines

Dick Sponenbergh - Air Force

Jack Hareland - Marines

Jim Thomas - Air Force

Carl Hobbs - Air Force

Miles Weigold - Army Reserves

Carl Hankwitz - Coast Guard

Robert Lewis Swiggett - Navy

Murray Hart - Marines

Rolland Von Stroh - Army

Ed Karner - Air Force

Ray Welch - Army

Jim Redmond

Stephen Morris

US Army

US Army John LeMay US Navy

Carl Hankwitz

Jim Connor

US Coast Guard Jack Hareland US Marines

US Navy

Steven Goldman US Marines

Rolland VonStroh Bill Nielsen

US Army

US Navy

Bob Asbell US Marines

Michael King Jim Riley US Army

US Air Force

Jim Connor was a frogman in the US Navy stationed at EODU #1 (Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit) in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii from 1957-1961. The Connors also have a son-in-law, grandson, and other family members serving our country.

Jim Redmond served in the US Army from 1943-1945 in the European Theater of Operations, Auto Mobil AAA gun crew - Ground Combat, 8th Div/1st Div/British 3rd Div. Experience includes Battle of Britten, Normandy - D+1, Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe. He is awarded with the EAME Theater Ribbon with 5 Bronze Stars and the Bronze Star Medal.

John LeMay served in the US Navy from 1958-1962 - 4 years, 3 months, and 20 days (but who’s counting?!). John lived and served aboard destroyers for 3 of those years. “What happens aboard a destroyer, stays aboard a destroyer”.

“My service was with the US Army in 1968/1969 in Vietnam. I managed the quality inspection facility on the Saigon River for all petroleum products entering Southern Vietnam. Mortar rounds and shots at our helicopter were the closest I came to real combat. The most embarrassing aspect was when my Vietnamese associates learned I played tennis and gave me a racket and standing invitation to play with them at night on the “lighted” shell tank farm tennis court. Prior to Vietnam, I taught laboratory petroleum chemistry to Army, Air Force, and Navy officers at Ft. Lee, VA.” -Rolland Von Stroh

Lt. Carl Hankwitz was an Air/Sea Rescue Aircraft Commander in the US Coast Guard from 1963-1969. He was involved with saving over 100 lives.

“I am a Vietnam vet and served in the Air Force from 1965 -1970.

My specialty was Aerospace Ground Equipment and I was a mechanic. After basic training and technical school, I was assigned to several fighter squadrons for the duration of my service.

Although I qualified as a marksman with an M-16 Rifle, my weapons of choice were the wrenches in my toolbox!

When a new airman joined our squadron, it was customary to send him over to base supply for a spool of “flight line” and a bucket of “prop wash”...all part of the initiation of new personnel!

Although my service was not voluntary (the draft had not yet been abolished) I took advantage of some great mechanical training, felt I was serving our country, and was proud to wear the Air Force uniform (although I couldn’t begin to squeeze into those pants today)!”

-Dick Sponenbergh

Sgt. Michael King United States Air Force, 1966-1970 Stationed: Lackland AFB (Texas), Amarillo AFB (Texas), Ramstein AFB (Germany), Offutt AFB (Nebraska).

“I joined the Air Force after receiving a draft notice from the Army.

Although I didn’t support the Vietnam War, I wasn’t burning my draft card or moving to Canada. I joined the Air Force to hopefully not go to Vietnam, and I succeeded. I worked in Airmen Personnel and flew a desk at Ramstein AFB for 3 years.

Upon my return to the United States and being discharged, I gratefully used the GI Bill to get my degree.

All in all, it was a great experience and I am glad I got to serve my country in some small way.”

-Michael King

“I was a Captain in the US Army and an Army pilot, all fixed wing. I served as a pilot for 2 tours in Vietnam. I was awarded a Purple Heart and two Distinguished Flying Crosses during my visit there.

Our daughter was a Lt. Commander and a Navy Pilot for 8 years, and our son is a Major and 15 year Active Air National Guard pilot currently flying the F-16. Our family has a good, strong, military history!�

-Tom LaTourrette Jack Barry served in the US Army from 1968-1969 and after advanced infantry training in Fort Polk, Louisiana went to Army Language School at Biggs Field, Ft. Bliss, TX for Vietnamese language training. He served one year with the American Division in Chu Lai, South Vietnam and was promoted to the rank of Sergeant. He was discharged in November of 1969.

Jim Thomas served in the US Air Force from 1968-1972 as Munitions Maintenance Specialist. Trained at Lackland AFB (Texas) and Lowery AFB (Colorado). He was stationed at Holmstead AFB (Florida), Kunsan AFB (Korea), and Myrtle Beach AFB (South Carolina).

Instead of Vietnam, Ray Welch was stationed in White Sands, New Mexico , and worked on missiles used in Vietnam.

Thank You For Your Service!!