Veterans’ Day, 11/11/2021
This Veterans’ Day, President Michael Payne decided we needed to do something that was long overdue, and that was to celebrate our members who have served in the United States Military.
Mike Roark (Top Left), Jason Day (Top Right), Bruce Manuel (Bottom Left), Nick Babson (Bottom Right)
In the course of the morning’s meeting, we heard from all four members who were present telling about their time in the military. Bruce Manual started off, and reminded us briefly of the history of Veterans’ Day and how it was originally called Armistice Day and wasn’t officially changed to Veterans’ Day until 1954. Bruce then told about his experience in the Navy. He joined the Navy after graduating from college in 1980. There might have been some mumbling about choosing the Navy because of the uniforms were so good. Bruce retired in 2002 as a Lieutenant Commander. He had many global deployments including Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Next to talk was Nick Babson. Nick served in the Army From 1968 to 1971 as rank of Specialist 5. Upon receiving his orders to be deployed to Vietnam, Nick got to go home for a leave. The night before his deployment, new orders came in and the destination changed from Vietnam to Germany (Bamberg) where spent his time guarding the German/Czechoslovakia border.
President elect, Jason Day was next, and Jason served in the Navy as a Navy Chief Petty Officer. He was sent to the Red Sea during the 1st Gulf War, and the Persian Gulf, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan during the 2nd Gulf War. The Navy sent Jason to culinary school, offered him Officer Training School which he turned down, and spent half of his career working for 2 and 3 star Admirals as well as other State dignitaries across the globe.
Finally Mike Roark told us that he joined the Naval reserves at age 17 while in High School. After High school he got a 2 year college deferment to study Electronics Engineering Technology. Mike sent two and a half years in the Navy as a Sonar Technician in special Oceanography Operations in the Bahamas and the Caribbean. Plus he had a total of 7 years in the Naval Reserves. Mike is currently a member of the VFW and the American Legion.
Greg Maloof was unable to attend this club meeting due to previous Veterans’ Day commitments, but he sent in some information regarding his service. Greg served in the Army, both active and Army Reserves from 1968 to 1989. He attained the rank of Sergeant Major.