Share your remembrances of those we served with who paid the price for our freedoms today.
I have three friends (classmates at USNA) I remember this weekend who died serving their country:
Lt (JG) Jason Skubi, USN. Jason and I worked on our cars together in the Bancroft Hall 7th Wing Parking lot 1st Class year. He had a Mazda RX-7, I had a Chevrolet Malibu convertible. He died June 22, 1990 when his CH-46 helicopter's transmission failed during a night unrep in the North Atlantic.
Lt Mark Hamilton, USN. Mark died in the March 21, 1991 mid-air collision between two P-3C Orion sub hunter aircraft. Mark and I rowed crew together at Navy. He went on the earn a varsity letter (while I switch to off shore sailing) To this day, Navy Crew varsity rows an 8-man shell named for Mark.
LCDR Ron Vauk, USNR. Ron died at his post in the Pentagon on Sept 11. 2001. Ron and I were Poly Sci majors and shared many classes together.
All three were good guys who died for all of us.
Like all of us, I have other friends who were veterans and have passed. But on this holiday, I remember my three friends who paid the ultimate price for American Freedoms and way of life while serving their country.
Who are yours? Tell us about them.
~ John
"We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are"
1948 International Farmall Super A 1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
My uncle, Lt. Hans Eugene Hansen was piloting a C47 aircraft from Peterson AFB near Colorado Springs enroute to Stead AFB, Reno, Nevada on Dec 10, 1952. He was the second of a flight of two C47's when the first pilot reported extreme turbulence, which caused Lt Hansen's aircraft to lose significant altitude, causing a crash into Hole In The Mountain Peak. All 6 aboard died in the crash. He went by Gene and was the youngest of 3 brothers, my dad George being the oldest, followed by Elwyn, who all served in the Army during WW2. Report of the crash.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truck Follow this saga in Project Journal Photos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together.
My grandfather's younger brother "Jack" Black, died on the beach during the landing on Okinawa in 1945. He was hit in the forehead by a piece of shrapnel, from either a mortar, or possibly artillery fire as he left the landing craft.
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
My mentor, CSM Martin “Gunny” Barreras DOW in 2014 due to a sniper shooting him in the chest. The most amazing person I have met. I could tell you stories all day long about this hero. He was credited for leading the rescue of Jessica Lynch and recovering the bodies of Solsiers buried under a soccer field. He dug with his fingers until tools were found and brought to the scene.
Chris -- Tell us more about Gunny Barreras. I'm sure you have more stories to tell. How did he impact *you* ??
~ John
"We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are"
1948 International Farmall Super A 1949 Chevrolet 3804 In the Legacy Gallery | In the Gallery Forum 1973 IH 1310 Dump 2001 International/AmTran RE3000 "Skoolie" 2014 Ford E-350 4x4 (Quigley)
Gunny was amazing! He started as a Marine and switched over to Army Special Operations. My first day at the unit, during my initial counseling session, he told me that he didn’t care what I accomplished in my career or what I had done. It was about what I could offer others and me helping them live up to their potential. What I didn’t realize at the time was he built a team that cared more for each other than themselves. It also paved the way for me to have a successful career as I always took care of others first, which allowed them to take care of me.
