VA Military Memories Competition
LCDR Curtis J. Smothers, U.S. Navy (1962-1986)
Did Any of Your Children Follow Your Footsteps into Military Service? If so, Which Branch Did They Join, What Career Path Did They Take, and What Were Some of Their Most Notable Achievements?:
A Navy Father and an Army Son. Yes—one of my children did follow my footsteps into military service. My son, Mark, chose a different path, but one just as meaningful. After growing up for 20 years as the son of a Navy man, he decided the Army was the right fit for him. I was serving as an active-duty Navy officer when Mark made his decision. One of the proudest moments of my life came in 1981 at an Army Recruiting Station in Fresno, California, when I had the honor of administering the oath of enlistment to my own son. Watching him raise his right hand and swear to serve our country was a powerful reminder that service is not only a profession, but a legacy.
SrA Diana Davis, U.S. Air Force (2002-2006)
Did Any of Your Children Follow Your Footsteps into Military Service? If so, Which Branch Did They Join, What Career Path Did They Take, and What Were Some of Their Most Notable Achievements?:
When I reflect on my family’s journey through military service, I am filled with an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude. Our story is one of commitment, resilience, and a shared belief in serving something greater than ourselves—the United States Air Force (USAF). My own military chapter began when I enlisted in the Air Force and was assigned to Services—not by choice, but by necessity. Though it wasn’t the career path I envisioned, I embraced the role wholeheartedly during my four-year enlistment. Those years taught me resilience, adaptability, and the value of teamwork. They gave me a deep appreciation for every function that keeps our Air Force mission-ready and instilled in me the core values that would guide my life: integrity, service, and excellence.
MSG Michael N. Caldwell, U.S. Army (1994-2015)
Did Any of Your Children Follow Your Footsteps into Military Service? If so, Which Branch Did They Join, What Career Path Did They Take, and What Were Some of Their Most Notable Achievements?:
As a Soldier parent I never wanted to pressure any of my children to join the Armed Forces. I stressed education or just a trade. My oldest son needed no persuasion. He was Army or nothing from probably around the 5th grade. When the time came for him to start the exciting process of enlisting, he was hit with an almost impassible obstacle. When he was about seven years old he had an allergic reaction to some fish sticks that he ate. Just slight itching i the throat, but we chose to take him to the emergency room just in case. There was no treatment necessary, but the doctor prescribed an EpiPen. This EpiPen was never used and honestly forgotten about until the Army Recruiter reminded us. Instead of being a lifesaving device, this thing nearly killed my son. When the Recruiter told him that he was medically disqualified my son went into a state of depression that was extremely scary for his mother and I. We didn’t know how to help him.
ATC Jerry A. Burkholder, U.S. Navy (1974-1994)
Did Any of Your Children Follow Your Footsteps into Military Service? If so, Which Branch Did They Join, What Career Path Did They Take, and What Were Some of Their Most Notable Achievements?:
Let me start by acknowledging my family’s service. My father retired from the Navy having served in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Both of his brothers served in the Army. My mom’s brother served in the Army. Two cousins on my mom’s side served, one in the Navy the other in the Air Force. I, myself, was born in a naval hospital at Patuxent River Naval Air Station. I was destined to serve. I retired from the Navy after Vietnam, the Cold War and the first Gulf War. Service is in my family.
SGT Mark Evans, U.S. Army (1971-1977)
Did Any of Your Children Follow Your Footsteps into Military Service? If so, Which Branch Did They Join, What Career Path Did They Take, and What Were Some of Their Most Notable Achievements?:
My Son, CW2 Mark W. Evans, Jr. started his military career in the Navy as an Aircrew Rescue Swimmer, he had been to Afghanistan and Bosnia in the Navy, and was one of the first to respond when the USS Cole was attacked. After 7 years he decided he wanted to be in the front of the helicopter and switched to the Army, went to Warrant Officer School and Flight School. He chose to fly the Blackhawk. The most notable flight he said was, he got to fly the Washington Redskin Cheerleaders around in Iraq. He had been scheduled to fly Sadam Husain after he was captured but he had accumulated to many hours so he had to hand that flight off.
CDR Marie Lambert, U.S. Navy (1980-2002)
Did Any of Your Children Follow Your Footsteps into Military Service? If so, Which Branch Did They Join, What Career Path Did They Take, and What Were Some of Their Most Notable Achievements?:
My husband and I both served on active duty in the US Navy. Jim was on active duty from 1974 to 1994. I was on active duty from 1980 to 2002. Little did we know that our son would apply for a Navy ROTC scholarship in 2005. Our son, CDR James Lambert, served as a Surface Warfare Officer on USS Bulkeley, USS Kearsarge, USS Mason, and USS Carter Hall, all home ported in Norfolk, VA. CDR Lambert is currently the Commanding Officer of the Navy Talent and Acquisition Group Mid America in St. Louis, MO. In 2016, our daughter, Elizabeth Lambert, applied for a Naval Commission through OCS in Newport, RI.