Official blog
TWS Website
TWS Website
U

MENU

VA Military Memories Competition

SGT William Upton, U.S. Army (1963-1968)

SGT William Upton, U.S. Army (1963-1968)

,

Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

The Ballad of the Green Berets by SSG Barry Sadler – 1966. Captain Bracey, Mr. Stephens, and I were headed home to Vung Tau after a day-long parts route or “milk run.” The deHavilland Caribou was empty. Deadheading back. It had been a long day, and I was tired. I laid down on the empty troop seats and put my flak jacket under my head. As I reread my latest “Dear Bill” letter from Myra Faye, I hummed words from a recent Righteous Brothers song: You’ve lost that lovin’ feelin’, oh-oh that lovin’ fe-e-elin’. . .

read more
Maj Joseph Jennings, U.S. Marine Corps (1964-1988)

Maj Joseph Jennings, U.S. Marine Corps (1964-1988)

,

Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

We Gotta Get Outta This Place was released by The Animals in the summer of 1965. The Animals were a British pop group, and the song’s lyrics talked about escaping from inner-city poverty in England. It had nothing to do with the war in Vietnam, but that didn’t matter. It was the chorus, sung— almost screamed— by Eric Burdon, that hit home.

We gotta get out of this place
If it’s the last thing we ever do
We gotta get out of this place
‘Cause girl, there’s a better life for me and you

read more
CPT Leonard Crosby, U.S. Army (1964-1970)

CPT Leonard Crosby, U.S. Army (1964-1970)

,

Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

The Song “We gotta get out of this place” by the Animals! We used to sing it all the time in the field in Vietnam. It also applies to the year I took stateside between deployments in Vietnam. I was assigned to Fort Lewis, WA, as a training officer for reserve and national guard units sent to Vietnam while awaiting my orders to join the 101st. One of those units was a MASH hospital. They arrived without their contingent of doctors and nurses but with a Major in charge. We were told to take them out to the field and set themselves up under simulated combat conditions. I had a small group that I was to take out to secure the site from the “aggressor” troops before bringing the full outfit. As we were preparing to leave, and I was issuing weapons and blanks, the Major came down to the supply room and pulled out a crate of tear gas grenades that they had been given in the event that they were called out for crowd control. I told him we would not be needing those and suggested that he put them away. Once we left, he apparently grabbed two and hung them from his web gear.

read more
TC1 Richard Muller, U.S. Coast Guard (1985-1995)

TC1 Richard Muller, U.S. Coast Guard (1985-1995)

,

Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

Song Connection: “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd. Why: There’s an evocative power to “Comfortably Numb” that deeply resonates with my decade of service in the U.S. Coast Guard. The song speaks of transitions, of changes, and of coming to terms with realities. For me, it mirrors the transformative journey from a young, high-spirited recruit fresh out of high school to a seasoned Coast Guard member and, later, an IT professional, attributing my skills and discipline to the robust training and values instilled during my service in the Military. Specific Memories: Every time David Gilmour’s soulful guitar solos waft through the air, I’m transported back to moments just after a mission. Amidst the adrenaline rush of success and the weight of responsibility, there was also an inexplicable sense of peace, almost a comforting ‘numbness,’ knowing we’d given our best — “You have to go out, you don’t have to come back.” The song, in its profound depth, takes me to countless nights sailing beneath the Caribbean stars on the USCGC Dependable, where the vastness of the ocean would often make us contemplate life and our role in the grand tapestry of the nation’s defense.

read more
SSG James Walker, U.S. Army (1966-1991)

SSG James Walker, U.S. Army (1966-1991)

, ,

Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

Detroit City (I Wanna Go Home) by Bobby Bare. After AIT in November of 1966, we all just knew we were headed to Vietnam. It was a great surprise when 32 of us came down on orders for Korea. Our first reaction was: “Where the hell is Korea?” Korea in 1966 is not like you see today. The 14 months I spent there turned a boy into a man, with increased responsibility coming as the months trudged by. I spent 3 months in the field giving communications support to the ROK army that were looking for North Korean infiltrators. The song “I Wanna Go Home” became our theme song played in every bar and club we went to.

read more
Cpl Scott Baigrie, U.S. Marine Corps (1989-1993)

Cpl Scott Baigrie, U.S. Marine Corps (1989-1993)

,

Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

As I reflect on that vivid memory from Operation Desert Storm, it’s as if I’m transported back in time to the harsh and unpredictable environment of the desert. It was a moment that showcased the camaraderie and unity that develops among soldiers during challenging times.
The rain came unexpectedly, a rare occurrence in the arid desert landscape. Droplets fell from the sky, refreshing and cooling the parched earth beneath our boots. We found ourselves seeking shelter under the massive shelter of a 5-ton truck, its sturdy frame providing a makeshift haven from the unexpected downpour.

read more
Sgt Jack Riley, U.S. Marine Corps (1966-1972)

Sgt Jack Riley, U.S. Marine Corps (1966-1972)

,

Of all the military operations you participated in, including combat, humanitarian or peacekeeping operations, which of these made a lasting impact on you and why?:

Why do I jerk back? Why am I startled? Our minds are incredible, aren’t they? How can something so small and lightweight store memories for years and suddenly spark muscles to react without our thinking of doing so? Day after day, I’m fine, so I’m surprised when my brain responds due to events in Vietnam in 1969. For example, I was having dinner with a friend at a restaurant. Suddenly, a fan nearby made a loud noise. I flinched, teeth clinched, my shoulders, neck, and head arching backward. Just as suddenly, the noise was gone. I started to explain, but he kept on talking as if he hadn’t noticed a thing, so I didn’t.

read more
SGT Roland Heritage, U.S. Army (2017-2021)

SGT Roland Heritage, U.S. Army (2017-2021)

,

In what ways has serving in the military influenced the way you have approached your subsequent life and career?:

The impact of my military service has been profound, shaping my values, mindset, and approach to various aspects of life. In the following response, I will attempt to encapsulate the essence of this transformative journey within the given word limit. First and foremost, serving in the military instilled in me a strong sense of discipline and commitment. The rigorous training, the demanding physical and mental challenges, and the responsibility entrusted to me all fostered a deep understanding of the importance of discipline in achieving personal and professional goals. This discipline has translated into every facet of my life and career, allowing me to persevere in the face of adversity and maintain a strong work ethic.

read more
AE2 LaTonya Davison, U.S. Navy (1996-2010)

AE2 LaTonya Davison, U.S. Navy (1996-2010)

,

In what ways has serving in the military influenced the way you have approached your subsequent life and career?:

My 14 years in the Navy afforded me travel to 22 countries and engagement with countless people from all walks of life. I was an aircraft mechanic/electrician pushed beyond fear and doubt that I could do things I’d never done before or do things that a woman is told she can’t do. This picture is from a deployment to Atsugi, Japan, in 2004, when the airplane engine stranded us on the island for 3 days. I was the most junior enlisted on an “all khaki” or E-7 and above detachment, and as the electrician, I was tasked to help the engine mechanic get the bird back in the sky. We made it happen, and I was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement medal for my contribution to getting the mission back home. That experience, and so many others during enlistment, contributed to the self-confidence I have today.

read more
SMSgt Josephine Davis-Fogle, U.S. Air Force (1991-2017)

SMSgt Josephine Davis-Fogle, U.S. Air Force (1991-2017)

,

In what ways has serving in the military influenced the way you have approached your subsequent life and career?:

Serving in the military has influenced the way I have approached my life and career in several ways. First, I came from a single family home where my dad was my sole provider from age 12 until I left for basic training at age 18. It was different being a female raised by a dad and all of my friends were raised mostly by moms. I was determined to do great things in life. Once I graduated basic training, I was on full throttle to an amazing career. When I realized I had the opportunity of a lifetime, I made the best of it. The Air Force was giving me money, advancement, training, travel, recreation, education, security and satisfaction and I took full advantage of it. I started off as a Dental Technician. I became a First Term Airmen Center Instructor, an Airmen Leadership School Instructor, and then a Third Tier Recruiter. I then advanced to a Recruiter Flight Chief in charge of 4 offices. This led to me going to the Air Force’s Recruiting School House to be an Instructor Supervisor and the Director of Education. After this assignment, I took on my last job as a squadron Production Superintendent in charge of offices in GA, FL and a portion of SC. This was the epitome of my career.

read more
Sgt Mona Hemphill-Bellmore, U.S. Air Force (1970-1974)

Sgt Mona Hemphill-Bellmore, U.S. Air Force (1970-1974)

,

In what ways has serving in the military influenced the way you have approached your subsequent life and career?:

I was a shy, timid 18 yr-old high school graduate when I joined the USAF in 1970. I grew up poor and we moved a lot, so I had few friends and didn’t have the self-confidence to join school teams or participate in extracurricular activities. I learned after making it through basic training in summer time at Lackland AFB that I could do a lot more personally than I thought, and that being a part of a team enables you to accomplish much. This knowledge stayed with me throughout my career as an administrative specialist in military service, as well as civilian life, helping me gain confidence and the admiration, respect and trust of coworkers and supervisors.

read more
SSgt Kevin Hunt, U.S. Air Force (1987-2008)

SSgt Kevin Hunt, U.S. Air Force (1987-2008)

,

In what ways has serving in the military influenced the way you have approached your subsequent life and career?:

Prior to my military service, my patriotism revolved around a flag and enjoying the American and military-specific holidays with my family. I didn’t have parents or grandparents who had served in the military to reflect upon. Having served 20 years in the USAF and Desert Shield and Desert Storm, my patriotism and love of this country has no end. I now have 4 flagpoles, stick flags, a solar-powered-led flag, indoor pictures, and clothing representing America, the USAF, and Desert Shield and Desert Storm. It was an honor to serve my country and I’m proud to continue that honor as a veteran.

read more