and Their Families
Past,Present & Future
I chose the song "Soldier Boy" because when I first met Chuck he was fresh out of boot camp at Ft Knox.We were both kids and he won my heart the first time that I saw him in his uniform.He was sent to Germany and he was my "soldier boy".We eventually got married,he joined the Air Force and became my "flyboy".All the tear stained letters while he was in both branches of service will never be forgotten.I also thought that all of the wives and sweethearts would enjoy the song.They can think of their "soldier boy" or their "fly boy".
Although this page is primarily written to honor our VETS in all the branches of the Military,it also is to honor the Mothers,Fathers,wives,daughters,sons,brothers,sisters,husbands and other family members that patiently waited and supported our men and women in uniform;to those that still wait for their loved ones to come home.
I served 2 years in the Army & 4 years in the Air Force.I was in the 8th Army in Germany.I was a ground radio operator on a Forward Air Control Team.After enlisting in the AF I became an airborne radio operator;our official title was Airborne Command Post Technician.We had direct contact with Air Force One;our mission was to provide communications for the President in case of a nuclear attack.I was in the Strategic Air Command,stationed at Bunker Hill AFB,Peru,In(it is now called Grissom AFB).Our oldest son,Jeff was born at Bunker Hill AFB.
During this period it was very hard on her.She became the mommy & daddy to our babies.Every night she would get my picture and the babies would kiss their daddy goodnight.She had to keep the homefires burning until I returned.
I left right after Thanksgiving and before I left we went shopping for things that Santa would bring to our sweet baby,Jeff.I would not be there to see him open any of them but I wanted him to have a nice Christmas.
The holidays are so rough when you are gone from those you love,pics and letters are nice but they cannot take the place of your loved ones arms around you.Three days before Christmas Rustyjo's grandpa died,she nearly miscarried.The doctor tried to see if he could get the Red Cross to help bring me home on emergency leave but that was not to be.Rustyjo's and my heart ached for each other.Somehow with the help of the emotional support of her dad she got through it and delivered a beautiful baby born on Mar 10.I had made her promise to name him Kevin.I remember being told that she had given birth and I was so happy but sad at the same time.
She wrote to me every day but the mail service is ridiculous in the service.Sometimes I would go for days without mail from her and then I would receive a whole stack of letters from her.I was overjoyed and counted the days until we could be back in each others arms.
When I left not only was she pregnant but I left a little baby that was still taking a bottle;when I returned that little baby was eating hamburgers and drinking shakes.Rustyjo & I tucked our baby,Jeff,into his crib that night before I left and I kissed him for the last time as a baby for when I returned he was a toddler.
There were many tear stained letters written to each other.Anyone that has been in the service knows what I am trying to convey.
Those in the military follow orders with no questions asked.Sometimes it is impossible to have your family be relocated with you.These are the times that are the hardest.
When I returned to the states I was stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB,NC where I flew on the Airborne Tactical Air Command
Post;of course Rustyjo was able to accompany me on this assignment.Our 3rd son,Jody was born while we were stationed at Seymour Johnson AFB.
The year we spent at Seymour Johnson was the most enjoyable as Rustyjo was with me.Although she was with me at Bunker Hill AFB we were apart a lot of the time due to my aircrew being constantly on ALERT!![had to stay at base without Rustyjo].Also we had many extended flights out of the area.
Anyone that has been in the service knows that even the Armed Forces member that serves away from the battlefield endures many hardships;but these hardships in no way compare with the LIVING HELL that our boys went thru in Viet Nam,WWI,WWII,Korea,Gulf War & all other conflicts not classified officially as War.I served 6 years during the Viet Nam War& was fortunate not to have actually served in Nam,but flew many missions close to Nam.Also I lost many friends to that ungodly war!!
The life of a military family is a hard and often lonely life.
My re-enlistment time came up and Rustyjo said that whatever I decided she would go along with.It was a tough decision but being away from her and my babies decided for me.
Our baby,Jody,was a little over 4 months old and I could not stand the thought of missing so much in his first few years of life,so we became civilians.
This was our experience many years ago but the memories are still fresh.Our children are all grown now and when our oldest son,Jeff, graduated from high school he enlisted in the Army.He graduated one day and a few weeks later we were kissing and hugging him goodbye at the bus station.We came home and had a good cry.We prayed that God would keep our son safe from harm.
This baby of ours was now going to wear the uniform proudly.We were very proud of him but also very worried.Rustyjo was so afraid he would have orders to go to the MIDEAST.He didn't have to go and was stationed at Ft.Knox.When his 2 years were up he came back home.He was proud of the time that he served and is a better man for having served.We are very proud of him also.
He is now married and has given us 2 beautiful grandbabies.
It seems that too many people want to constantly cut back on the defense budget.
Our military men,women,and families deserve the best that we can give to them.
They are now forced to live in sub-standard housing which is a disgrace.
Too many people take their freedom for granted.They do not realize the sacrifice made by all those before them is why they enjoy such freedom.
Then I was sent to Korea for 13 months;my wife Rustyjo was pregnant at the time;our 2nd son,Kevin was born while I was in Korea;he was a little over 9 months old when I got to see him.I missed so much;his first smile,first steps,saying dada & mama,so many things.No matter how many pictures that Rustyjo sent or letters she wrote to me nothing could heal the emptiness in my heart.
For those who have fought, Life has a flavor
the protected will never know.
Signed, Vietnam Veteran
The above was found written in pencil on the metal seat back of a bus in northern Thailand many, many years ago.
Long may Our Country stand strong.Remember our continued freedom depends on the brave men and women of the armed forces of The United States Of America.
The next time you see a Soldier,Airman,Sailor or Marine,tell them thanks for protecting our freedom! Please don't ever forget those who lost their lives or are still missing while protecting our freedom.
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