The Christy Collection

Military Stories and Articles

SSG James R. Laudermilk, U.S. Army (2004-2015)

SSG James R. Laudermilk, U.S. Army (2004-2015)

Where Was Your Favorite Place Visited, Either Through Deployment or R&R, From Your Time in the Service? Can You Recall Any Memories of This Place You Found Particularly Impressive or Enjoyable?:

Back in 2004 2006, I was a Sergeant deployed near the northern border of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Our base was rough, the mission serious but even in a warzone, God finds ways to remind you of His goodness. One day, we got the chance to visit a nearby orphan village. I ll be honest my first time off post, I was praying nonstop. My wife had mailed over a mountain of clothes, school supplies, and snacks for the kids. We packed it all up and headed out, not knowing what to expect.

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Service Reflections of Capt Wilfred J. Clifford, U.S. Marine Corps (1953 – 1973)

Service Reflections of Capt Wilfred J. Clifford, U.S. Marine Corps (1953 – 1973)

My brother was a Marine; he served in WWII and was recalled to active duty during the Korean War. Three of my uncles also served during WWII, and all saw serious action. When I was about 13 or 14, I read a book about the Iwo Jima campaign, and while it brought tears to my eyes, I probably wasn’t crying, but anyway, I knew that I wanted to be around men like that.
Because of my family situation, with a single mother with three kids, I knew that I would serve at least 20 years to retirement even before I enlisted. I was a depression-era kid, and my future looked bleak. Somehow, I always desired to attend college, and if I didn’t serve the 20, I would have the Korean War GI Bill to help me. (Which it didn’t, as I have enumerated under the college questionnaire).

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Sgt Paul Arizin, U.S. Marine Corps (1952-1954)

Sgt Paul Arizin, U.S. Marine Corps (1952-1954)

Paul Arizin, who served in the US Marine Corps between 1952 and 1954, is more commonly known as ‘Pitchin’ Paul’, NBA Hall of Fame member and star player of the Philadelphia Warriors during the 50s. There are no shortage of basketball stars who have built an athletic career after a stint in the military: David Robinson and Mike Silliman are two such men. However, Arizin is notable for not only being one of the first, after the NBA was established in the aftermath of World War II, but also for...

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