Official blog
TWS Website
TWS Website
U

MENU

The Christy Collection

Military Stories and Articles

SPC 3C Salvatore Lorio, U.S. Army (1954-1956)

SPC 3C Salvatore Lorio, U.S. Army (1954-1956)

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?:

Looking back many years into my Army days, I recall my R&R memories, and what I found most particularly impressive and enjoyable was the City of Tokyo, Japan. Recalling my memory of my Army stint from 1954 to 1956, comes to mind when I received my orders and was shipped to North Camp Fuji, Japan. The highlight of my Japanese experience and the most memorable time was my R&R in Tokyo. It was a wonderful experience. Tokyo was a city still recovering from World War II, rebuilt from wooden shanties to modern buildings.

read more
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.

read more
Sgt Hank Picariello, U.S. Marine (1969-1970)

Sgt Hank Picariello, U.S. Marine (1969-1970)

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?:

I served as a Scout/Sniper with 2/26 and 1/7. Aside from our combat exploits, this patrol stands out as one of the most memorable and cherished. The Big Heist. There were several other significant intelligence patrols we conducted with 2/26 that resulted in enemy kills and captured equipment and food stores. However, not every patrol was meaningful because of combat action. One special moment occurred while heading out for a patrol that still required stealth, speed, athletic ability, cunning, and the ability to stay undetected.

read more
ETCS Stephen Alexander, U.S. Navy (1961-1981)

ETCS Stephen Alexander, U.S. Navy (1961-1981)

Did Any of Your Parents or Grandparents Serve? What Facts or Stories Do You Remember About Their Service?:

My oldest brother, Robert C. Alexander, served aboard the USS Lexington (CV-2) during WW2 and was aboard during her final battle in the Coral Sea. He was an MM1 at that time and was assigned to a damage control party deep in the ship, near the stern. He wrote a letter outlining the battle’s events as he experienced it from his battle station. I will copy that letter here so he can tell his story in his own words.

read more
Maj Richard M. Cole, U.S. Air Force (1970-1992)

Maj Richard M. Cole, U.S. Air Force (1970-1992)

Did Any of Your Parents or Grandparents Serve? What Facts or Stories Do You Remember About Their Service?:

Military service has become a tradition in my family. One of the things that has kept me busy in retirement is genealogy research. Through my research, I discovered that my fourth great-grandfather, William McLee “Mack” Cole, served with Company B of the South Carolina Volunteer Infantry, which drew the majority of its men from Laurens County. Pvt. Cole died of pneumonia following the Battle of Fredericksburg, Va. He died in Chimborazo Hospital Number 5 and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond, Va. Men were dying in large numbers at the hospital and were buried in Oakwood with as many as six men to a grave. A small stone cube marked the graves with numbers on them that correlated to a grave registry book listing the names of the men in each grave. When I discovered that my grandfather did not have a headstone, I attempted to obtain one for him through the VA, only to have my request denied. They stated the stone cube and grave registry were sufficient markings for his grave. So, I purchased him a headstone and, with the assistance of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, had it installed over his burial site at Oakwood.

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

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

Did Any of Your Parents or Grandparents Serve? What Facts or Stories Do You Remember About Their Service?:

I never knew my natural father, although I learned that he had been in the Army. My stepfather was stationed in the Philippines during WWII; however, he never spoke of his time on active duty during the war. Fast-forward to 1970, when my younger brother was 18 and Richard Nixon was the US President. The Vietnam War was in full force, and changes regarding military enlistment were afoot; a military draft lottery drawing had been instituted the prior year. My mother was terrified that my brother Bill would be drafted, sent to Vietnam, and killed. Rather than take his chances with becoming a draftee, Bill enlisted in the Army as a surveyor, went to Fort Sill, OK and on to Germany for his permanent duty station in 1971.

read more
MAJ Mark Nunn, U.S. Army (1988-2010)

MAJ Mark Nunn, U.S. Army (1988-2010)

Did Any of Your Parents or Grandparents Serve? What Facts or Stories Do You Remember About Their Service?:

My father, 1st Lieutenant Omar Nunn, flew the C-47 Transport Plane in the Pacific off Saipan during WWII. On Oct 12, 1944, he landed on Peleliu while the battle still raged and was confronted by a platoon of ragged Marines. Although they were filthy, dirty, skinny from starvation and dehydration, with clothes torn to tatters, they had an air of excitement and anticipation about them.

read more
ET1 Thomas Herendeen, U.S. Coast Guard (1970-1974)

ET1 Thomas Herendeen, U.S. Coast Guard (1970-1974)

Did Any of Your Parents or Grandparents Serve? What Facts or Stories Do You Remember About Their Service?:

My dad was a Navy veteran in World War II. He started out as an Aviation Cadet and transferred to the Amphibs because his math skills weren’t up to par. He was a crew member on the USS LCI (L) 537, which saw service on D-Day at Omaha Beach. After D-Day, he was part of the commissioning crew on the USS Troilus (AKA-46), which was slated for service as part of the invasion of Japan. After the surrender, Dad spent New Year’s Day 1946 in Tokyo and helped with Operation Magic Carpet. He always said that after D-Day, he was living on borrowed time.

read more
LCpl Richard A. Barnhart, U.S. Marines (1981-1985)

LCpl Richard A. Barnhart, U.S. Marines (1981-1985)

Did Any of Your Parents or Grandparents Serve? What Facts or Stories Do You Remember About Their Service?:

My Dad served in the Marine Corps from 1962 to 1966. Went to Vietnam. Never really said much about it but did share two funny stories with me: Supplies were coming in, and a couple of extra hands were needed for transport. Dad was told to drive trk# xyz and said that they picked up 10 truckloads of frozen steaks and beer. He was driving a beer truck. Says that on the way back to their camp, someone had the bright idea of diverting a few trucks to their own camp, so when they reached the ‘fork in the road’ leading to their camp, every other truck peeled out of the convoy and to the fork in the road. Turned out that of the three trucks, one was loaded with steak; the other two were loaded with beer. (Even back then, Marines had their priorities, lol) said they ate really well that night and had enough beer to last them a couple of days….

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

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

What Was Your Most Proud Moment From Your Military Service? What Made This Especially Memorable For You?:

Picture it, Atsugi Japan, 2003. I’m a ‘lowly’ E-5 aircraft electrician in VR-46 out of Marietta, GA, hand-picked for what’s known as a “Khaki Det (Detachment)”. The maintenance crew was all lower enlisted, chosen as the best mechanics and aircraft handlers in the command to accompany senior enlisted and officer maintenance administration and flight crew. I was one of 4 lower enlisted members of our 19 person crew.

read more
SP4 Tom Hirst, U.S. Army (1969-1971)

SP4 Tom Hirst, U.S. Army (1969-1971)

What Was Your Most Proud Moment From Your Military Service? What Made This Especially Memorable For You?:

During the CAMBODIAN INCURSION of 1970, I was assigned to Charlie Company 1/12, 1st Cavalry Division. The second platoon discovered a “motor pool” full of all kinds of equipment and supplies. When I got my draft notice, I was working at a Dodge Dealership and spending 3 nights a week at the local drag strips, so I felt “right at home” at this jungle motor pool/garage.

read more
SrA Angela Hawks, U.S. Air Force (1992-1996)

SrA Angela Hawks, U.S. Air Force (1992-1996)

What Was Your Most Proud Moment From Your Military Service? What Made This Especially Memorable For You?:

Of all my experiences, sounding Taps at military funerals remains the most poignant and memorable. And it’s an experience that continues to this day, 30 years after my time in the Air Force. As a woman in service, it was particularly meaningful to be entrusted with this solemn duty. The military has changed significantly over the years, and I’m proud to have played a part in that evolution. The emotion in the air is still palpable grief, gratitude, and a profound sense of loss. Each time I play, whether for an active duty member or a veteran, I’m struck by the weight of their sacrifice. It’s a deeply emotional connection, one that has only deepened over the years, solidifying my understanding of the true cost of freedom and the importance of honoring those who serve. It’s a privilege to continue this tradition, representing not only the Air Force but also the growing number of women who contribute so much to our armed forces.

read more