Written by Todd DePastino Retired Navy Captain Bill Dempsey recently recalled to me a horrific fire on September 24, 1965 at a US Navy signals collection site in Kamiseya, Japan, that killed twelve Americans. I'd not heard of the tragedy, but Bill's story and the 60th anniversary of it prompted me to learn more and
Despite knowing Army veteran Ray Brendel for many years, we had never heard his story until recently. Ray, who served as a finance clerk at Fort Knox and Germany in the 1970s, probably thought he didn't have much of a story to tell compared to the combat experiences shared at our events. But, we
by Regis Rossa In January 1957, I was 18 years old and had just completed Airborne Jump School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. The Army informed me I’d be heading to Germany for 18 months. But before I shipped off, I could have a weekend of liberty off base. There was only one catch:
Written by Bob Von Bargen It was just another cargo mission in “Old Shaky.” The C-124’s engines roared as we climbed to altitude from Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico. We were enroute to Panama with an oversized load of artillery pieces for the U.S. Army in the Canal Zone. The Howitzer canons were lashed
Written by Bob Von Bargen In the 1970s, one Chief Master Sergeant in the 335th Military Airlift Squadron of the Air Force Reserve’s 514th Military Airlift Wing at McGuire AFB took it upon himself to transform long, arduous, and somber air medical missions with often severely injured service members and their families into airborne
Written by Bill Priatko Coming up on age 93, Air Force veteran and former Pittsburgh Steeler Bill Priatko appears in a great commercial for the new Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honor Museum at Acrisure Stadium. Before playing for the Steelers, Browns, and Packers, Bill led the Air Force Honor Guard for President Dwight Eisenhower
