The Christy Collection

Military Stories and Articles

CSM Michael H. Sweeney, U.S. Army (1969-1999)

CSM Michael H. Sweeney, U.S. Army (1969-1999)

What Habit(s), Good or Not So Good, Did You Pick Up During Your Military Service That You Still Practise to This Day?:

Well, the Britannica Dictionary defines habit as: a usual way of behaving: something that a person often does in a regular and repeated way. With that in mind, the first thing that comes to mind, really the only thing, is waking up very early every morning. Sort of a given, isn t it? You know, We do more before 0900 than the rest of the world does all day , right? Well, this morning, like every morning, I woke up before 0500, and I have been retired from the uniform for 26 years and completely retired for over two years. That defines a habit that I have had now for over 55 years.

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SSG Victoria Ryan, U.S. Army (1973-1988)

SSG Victoria Ryan, U.S. Army (1973-1988)

What Habit(s), Good or Not So Good, Did You Pick Up During Your Military Service That You Still Practise to This Day?:

Throughout all of my school years and into early adulthood, participation in sports and any other physical fitness activities were non-existent in my life. Little did I know, that by joining the Army in late 1973 at the age of 23, my previous semi-sedentary lifestyle would become a thing of the past.

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AX2 Tim Hinds, U.S. Navy (1963-1969)

AX2 Tim Hinds, U.S. Navy (1963-1969)

What Habit(s), Good or Not So Good, Did You Pick Up During Your Military Service That You Still Practise to This Day?:

This one was easy. It was life-changing for me. I may have posted this already but Im not aware how to enter it. I was chosen to be on what was called the J.J crew. We trained pilots and crew in operations of Antisubmarine warfare. Our air-craft was the P-2V Neptune. I was an AX-2, but we learned how to maintain all the electronics aboard the aircraft. My job was to preflight the aircraft scheduled for early morning missions. I was also an aircrew radio operator. On this particular early morning, I was testing the radio equipment. It failed so I did the obvious and replaced the radio module. That didn’t fix it, so I took the next obvious step, then the next, until I ran out of options. I was kind of a high-strung guy with more ego than brains. But my friend, also on the crew, asked what the problem was. I told him in an irritated , leave me alone manner. So he just went on with his tasks. A little later, as time was becoming an issue, he came over the wing beam and saw I was still struggling to figure it out. He then said “Still stumped in a friendly way?” Then he offered a suggestion and I snapped back, “I’ve got this I know how it works, I’ll get it, I don’t need your help!” He made a face, shook his head and went on, reminding me that the flight was scheduled in a half hour. I was getting nervous, and finally I tried his suggestion. It worked.

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SMSgt Kim Swearingen, U.S. Air Force (1969-1995)

SMSgt Kim Swearingen, U.S. Air Force (1969-1995)

What Favorite Automobile Did You Own During Your Military Service? What Special Memories Does This Bring Back For You?:

I was stationed overseas in Turkey in 1970-1971. A lot of things had changed when I made it back home on leave before shipping out to Viet Nam anti-war music, more hippies, bell-bottom jeans, and cars. The Dodges and Plymouths in particular, were spectacular sleek bodies, high-impact colors, and street-scorching big-block engines. A far cry from what I had gotten used to in Turkey mostly 50 s era American cars, big smoke-belching trucks, and Volkswagens that a lot of the NCO s on base had shipped over.

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SSG Victoria Ryan, U.S. Army (1973-1988)

SSG Victoria Ryan, U.S. Army (1973-1988)

What Favorite Automobile Did You Own During Your Military Service? What Special Memories Does This Bring Back For You?:

I arrived at my first duty station, Fort Dix, NY in spring 1974. My sister was a military police (MP) officer at West Point by then and engaged to be married. To alleviate becoming a two-car couple, my sister offered me her vehicle, a 1972 yellow Ford Pinto. I was ecstatic, because now I had wheels and could get around.

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SSgt Gene Gausman, U.S. Marine Corps (1953-1963)

SSgt Gene Gausman, U.S. Marine Corps (1953-1963)

What Favorite Automobile Did You Own During Your Military Service? What Special Memories Does This Bring Back For You?:

The favorite car that I owned in the Marine Corps was a 1957 Mercury 4 door hardtop that I bought in November of 1959 after returning from a tour in the Far East. I owned it some nine years, total, and even after I left the Corps, courted my wife, and was married. That car and I traveled about half the states together, and I towed a boat through probably 20 states.

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2LT Joshua Gorczyca, U.S. Army (2017-2022)

2LT Joshua Gorczyca, U.S. Army (2017-2022)

What Favorite Automobile Did You Own During Your Military Service? What Special Memories Does This Bring Back For You?:

The favorite car that I owned in the Marine Corps was a 1957 Mercury 4 door hardtop that I bought in November of 1959 after returning from a tour in the Far East. I owned it some nine years, total, and even after I left the Corps, courted my wife, and was married. That car and I traveled about half the states together, and I towed a boat through probably 20 states.

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LCDR David W.. Hodge, U.S. Navy (1981-2011)

LCDR David W.. Hodge, U.S. Navy (1981-2011)

What Favorite Automobile Did You Own During Your Military Service? What Special Memories Does This Bring Back For You?:

My favorite car while in the Navy was a 1965 Ford Mustang. Mine wasn t the classic muscle-car version you imagine though. It was clean, however, as I had spent the eight months of my delayed entry into the Navy restoring it. I repainted the car the original Wimbledon White and kept it stock except for my Cragar mags. Under the hood, I had the small but rugged 200 cubic inch six, with a three-speed manual. The Mustang drove like a dream and would go 70 mph all day long, getting 30 miles to the gallon.

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SFC Michael Taylor, U.S. Army (1977-2008)

SFC Michael Taylor, U.S. Army (1977-2008)

What was your primary Occupational Specialty in the Military? What was the most significant skill you learned and was this useful in your civilian life?

From the Battlefield to Brotherhood: A 30-Year Journey of Duty, Leadership, and Lifelong Bonds

Hey there! My Army career span was November 1977 through August 2008 resulting in full retirement. So, let me tell you about my time in the military. I started off as a 75 series, which eventually led me to become a Tanker (19K) and then transition to Human Resources (42A). It was quite a journey, I must say!

One of the most rewarding aspects of my military experience was the opportunity to provide support to my fellow soldiers. Whether it was on the battlefield or in the administrative realm, I always found fulfillment in being there for my comrades. There’s something incredibly special about being able to lend a helping hand and make a positive difference in someone’s life.

And boy, did I get to see some incredible places! Traveling was a big part of my military life, including going overseas. I got to immerse myself in different cultures and environments, which really broadened my perspective. Those memories and experiences have had a lasting impact on me, shaping who I am today.

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SPC Vergie Terrell, U.S. Army (2010-2016)

SPC Vergie Terrell, U.S. Army (2010-2016)

What was your primary Occupational Specialty in the Military? What was the most significant skill you learned and was this useful in your civilian life?

In the military, my primary occupational specialty was as a 25L, which stands for Cable System Installer Maintainer. This role is crucial within the communications field, focusing on installing, maintaining, and troubleshooting cable systems that support various communication networks. The responsibilities of a 25L include working with fiber optic and copper cabling and ensuring that communication lines are operational and reliable for mission-critical operations.

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

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

What memorabilia/souvenirs have you kept from your military service? What special meaning do these have for you?:

One Dollar and Five Dong

I met Binh outside the Black Cat bar in downtown Vung Tau, Vietnam. He was a Vietnamese marine and had just returned from firefight missions in the Delta. We often met like this to have a few beers and shoot the shit.
“Hey, Binh,” I said as he walked up.
“Xin ch’o, Uptoe.” Outside the door to the Black Cat stood a ragged little boy with a tin can begging for coins. I found a couple of coins and dropped them into the can. Binh did the same. Inside the bar, we sat down and I looked at him. “Binh,” I said, “Why did you give him money? You don t make that much.”
He grinned at me. “Uptoe give money, Bihn, too, give money.” He was silent for a moment, then said, “Binh know boy. Family kill by VC one year ago. Boy not beg money, not eat. Maybe find food at GI garbage place.”
“You’re a number one guy, Binh,” I said.
“You number one GI, Uptoe. I give you something. Binh reached into his pocket, pulled out a five dong note, signed it and tore it in half. He gave half to me. “After war we tape together and buy Ba-muoi-ba beer, okay, Uptoe?”
I took a dollar MPC from my wallet, tore it in two, signed it and gave Binh half and had him sign my half. “You’re on, Buddy,” I said.

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SGT Robert Pryor, U.S. Army (1967-1969)

SGT Robert Pryor, U.S. Army (1967-1969)

What memorabilia/souvenirs have you kept from your military service? What special meaning do these have for you?:

Disembarking at Cam Ranh Air Force Base, Viet Nam, in 1968, we were to exchange our field jackets for steel pots (helmet with liner) and flak vests (body armor). I dutifully lined up like everybody else. After handing my jacket to a member of the Rear Echelon Military Force (REMF), I reached for a helmet. He grabbed it and said, “Not you.” When I asked why, he said, “I thought you knew. Your Green Beret is bulletproof.”

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