Latest news with #VietnamEra
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
‘She's very special' East Tennessee veteran continues to serve others
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — More than 60 years ago, Kathleen Van Orsdel joined the US Air Force just as the Vietnam War was heating up. Now she continues to serve in different ways. Van Orsdel is a skilled artisan. She designs and creates three-layered textile works of art: quilts. The veteran is one of three female veterans serving in the East Tennessee Veterans Honor Guard. The unit presided over 300 funerals last year. 'It thrills me that I am able to go and do a final farewell to someone who has served my country. I think that every one of us who goes out realizes that the individual deserves every bit of respect and honor that we as an Honor Guard can give them,' said Van Orsdel. Vietnam veteran helps other vets 'heal' with visits overseas Van Orsdel joined the US Air Force in 1964, at the beginning of the Vietnam War. She was 19 at the time. 'I'm unique, because there are not a lot of women veterans from the Vietnam Era. There are more women in the military today, but back in the 60s, there weren't,' said Van Orsdel. As a former airman and mom, she has a special passion for using her talents to make Quilts of Valor. At an event in White Pine, the recipient was an Iraq War veteran. Kevin Gilliam served in the US Coast Guard, then in the US Army as a member of the 82nd Airborne, where he was deployed to Iraq. Many veterans in the audience were wowed by Kathleen's artistry. 'You happen to have one of the quilts that I made for a veteran and I'm so pleased to be able to present it to you,' said Van Orsdel during the event. 'She's very special, she means a lot to us, everything she's done in the service and after service,' said Gilliam. Van Orsdel and her crew have created hundreds of Quits of Valor, and she doesn't plan on stopping. For Van Orsdel, there is nothing better than making a veteran happy. Veterans Voices: Hear the stories of those who served If you know a Veteran who could be recognized, send Don Dare an email at ddare@ or give him a call at 865-633-6923. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Globe and Mail
15-05-2025
- General
- Globe and Mail
Undergo the Experience filled with the Intense journey of strength and subjective maturation in Albert Schriber's latest book, 'Anchors Aweigh: A Journey of Personal Growth.'
This remarkable memoir chronicles the impactful life of Joseph, a sailor whose gallant experiences in the United States Navy serve as a shining example of the potency of hard work and perseverance. Schriber, a seasoned author with myriad backgrounds, intersperses his serious fondness for storytelling and chronology into this tantalizing report that resonates with anyone aspiring for stimulation. Albert Schriber's life story is as persuasive as that of his protagonist. A proud New Orleans native, Schriber's early enlistment in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era laid the groundwork for his lifelong commitment to knowledge and personal evolution. While serving, he earned a bachelor's degree in electronics and later an MBA, fueled by an unquenchable curiosity and a probe for knowledge. In addition to his formal education, one of his most significant accomplishments is completing a doctoral degree in philosophy, which improved his wisdom of metaphysics and the nature of existence. In " Anchors Aweigh: A Journey of Personal Growth," readers follow Joseph from his determination to enlist at eighteen through his demanding training at San Diego Bootcamp, his effective role as an Aviation Fire Control Technician, and his position as a FRAMP Instructor. Through Joseph's lens, Schriber proposes an accurate account of life at sea, grasping both the exhilarating highs and the problematic lows of military life. Additionally, it is essential to notice that Joseph's story is not solely about the victories and accolades; it discourses on a much broader level about his trials, including economic grinds and balancing family responsibilities. Yet, amidst these challenges, Joseph's relentless spirit blazes through, making this memoir a moving record of stability and ripening. Schriber's writing evokes vivid imagery and personal connection, drawing readers into the harrowing yet rewarding experiences of military service. Moreover, Joseph's story encapsulates the resonant bonds initiated within the Navy, presenting a view of the camaraderie and shared sacrifices that characterize service members' lives. This heartfelt tribute not only captures the core of what it means to serve but also articulates the universal themes of obligation, sacrifice, and personal evolution. The book serves as an illuminating exploration of the dimensions of military life, uplifting readers to deliberate on their own journeys and the strength required to overpower personal "4th downs." Readers striving for stimulus and perspicuity into the sophistications of military life will find " Anchors Aweigh" to be an essential read. This book is perfect for those who wish to examine the themes of bravery and solidity against the background of one man's military trip. Join Albert Schriber on this memorable journey that mirrors his own life and stands as a beacon of hope and motivation for all who strive to evolve and overcome the ordeals they face. Stay tuned to find out more. This book is not just a peek into the life of a sailor but an invitation to investigate the profundities of fearlessness, the power of spirit, and the magnificence of individual blossoming.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Edmond Flakes, Youngstown, Ohio
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Mr. Edmond M. Flakes, Sr., born March 22, 1947 in Youngstown, Ohio to Oscar and Edna Briscoe Flakes, peacefully departed this earth on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. He attended Cardinal Mooney High School from where he graduated in 1965. Find obituaries from your high school Edmond was a zealous long-haul truck driver for 30 years. He was forced into early retirement due to his declining health. He served in the US Airforce during the Vietnam Era. He enjoyed television sports and fishing programs and playing video games. Edmond was gregarious. If you would listen, he would talk. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife of nearly 48 years, the former Gwendolyn Archie; two daughters, Sonya (Kevin) Bennett and Angela (David) Sanders; two sons, Carson and Germaine Flakes; and a host of grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his two sons, Edmond M. Flakes, II and Eric Flakes; three sisters, Juanita Burbridge, Ester Jenkins and Nina Johnson. Services will be Friday, May 2, 2025 at the L.E. Black, Phillips and Holden Funeral Home, 1951 McGuffey Road, Youngstown, Ohio 44505. Visitation will be 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will follow at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be at Tod Homestead Cemetery following the Service. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Edmond D. Flakes, please visit our floral store. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Dayton veterans take honor flight to D.C. memorials
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – The first Honor Flight Dayton 2025 trip took off on Saturday morning. A local group of veterans from West Dayton, the 'Boys From The Hill', all grew up together in the 50s. They all attended Highview Elementary on MacArthur. On Saturday, the group took a flight to Washington, D.C. 'It was an honor to meet them this morning and I wish them all a wonderful day as they continue their more than half-century friendship in our nation's capital with our folks from Honor Flight Dayton,' said photojournalist Mike Ullery. Dayton VA celebrates local veteran turning 106 Honor Flight Dayton works with veterans who served from the beginning of WWII (12/7/1941) through the end of the Vietnam Era (5/7/75) and brings them to see the national memorials in Washington, D.C. The trips are free and are funded by donations. Are you a vet looking to apply to go on an Honor Flight? Click this link for the application form or call 937-322-4448 for a mailed copy. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hometown Heroes: Vietnam War Veterans Day is March 29, celebrating dedication and sacrifice
FREEDOM, Wis. (WFRV) – The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 declared March 29 the day we pay tribute to our Vietnam War veterans' unwavering courage, dedication and the countless sacrifices made by them and their families during one of the most challenging conflicts in our nation's history. Local 5 News has been telling the stories of Vietnam War and Vietnam Era veterans for years during our weekly Hometown Heroes series that airs every Friday at 6:30 a.m., 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. Hometown Heroes: Menasha's Medal of Honor recipient Kenneth E. Stumpf The Fox Valley's Jerry Weyers remember the summer of 1967 very well. He calls it a turning point in his life. He attended his first two military funerals, hearing the sounds of the honor guard. It was then that he decided to leave his father's farm and join the Army. 'I knew the draft was getting hot and heavy,' Weyers told Local 5's Kaitlin Corbett. 'They're probably going to get me. So, I went and talked to my Army recruiter and he sent me down to Milwaukee, to take the test.' That test landed Weyers in electronics school, where he was trained to be a microwave radio repairman and operator. But once he got to Vietnam, that job description changed. 'They didn't tell us that for every radio, you need a tower to send a signal. And they've got me up 30 feet in the air painting a water tower for them and what are they looking for? They're looking for somebody who's not afraid of heights.' Weyers' silo-climbing skills on the farm had now made him part of the radio tower team; a dangerous job, but one that he loved. 'If you think about it, building a radio tower, you're building a landmark for the bad guys to take pot-shots at you. But we didn't think about that, we were just doing our job for our country.' Weyers got out of the Army in 1970 and went on to work as an electrician. He joined the honor guard at the Freedom VFW and displays a yearly exhibit honoring veterans at the Freedom Area Historical Society. For close to five decades, Weyers has made it his mission to honor veterans in any way he can. One more you might not expect: through music. Weyers travels to assisted living facilities playing his music, honoring veterans with songs like Taps and Amazing Grace. 'It pays tribute to their service to our country. I think it's important, and we need to honor that. Until you've been through it, no one understands what it takes and what it feels like to serve your country.' Hometown Heroes: Menasha's Medal of Honor Recipient Elmer J. Burr Weyers does know what it feels like, and it's led him to where he is today. 'All those things kind of add up, and you become who you are and what you strive for, and sometimes things work out.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
