Standpipe Mountain, Graham America
Graham Texas is a proud community known for taking care of its own. Often times, this "taking care of our own" mantra extends to members of family and extended family protecting ours and others freedom.
Graham ISD has the pleasure of serving the families of Graham and Young County.
Many members of the GISD family understand the personal sacrifice and commitment it takes to extend our service to Our Nation and to Our World via currently or having previously served in the United States of America Armed Forces.
On this Veteran's Day, we take this opportunity to share the stories or our veterans around the district. This, of course, is just a portion of the men and women in our district that have served Our Nation. As you look through this post, you will see the diversity of Graham ISD reflected in these stories of service.
Although each person and each path to service is unique, they all share a two common bonds- they are all connected to the Graham ISD Steer Nation Family and they all have served with honor.
Thanks so much to the brave men and women that have served, are serving and have made the ultimate sacrifice of life to protect our safety and our FREEDOM!
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| David Rogers, son of Alesha Rogers |
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| Twenty-four year old Sergeant Reynaldo Arvizu, Jr, son of Alicia Arvizu, is currently stationed at Schofield Barracks in Oahu, Hawaii. Previously he was stationed at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas (August 2009-December 2014), while there he served in Afghanistan from October 2011 until July 2012. He is also a 2009 graduate of Graham High School. He is in Bravo Company 2-27 Battalion Infantry Regiment 3rd Brigade 25th Infantry Division. |
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Lt. Cpl. Zachery Rumans, husband of Alisha Rumans, served in the U.S. Marine Corps in Operation Iraqi Freedom.
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| Jason Robertson, nephew of Barbara Droz, signed up for the National Guard in April 2004, graduated from Graham High School in May 2004 and was deployed the next week to Iraq where he served overseas for one year! During his 11 years of service Jason has been deployed to Afghanistan four times- 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2012. |
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David Smith, husband of Carol Smith, served proudly in the US Army for 21 years!
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Sergeant Randy Rose, step-son of Elizabeth Rose, has proudly served in the National Guard for five years and was deployed to Afghanistan from September 2013 to July 2015.
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Billy C. Wooldridge, grandfather of Elizabeth Rose served in the US Army during the Korean War.
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| Jonathon Thomas is the husband of Katy Thomas. |
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Sergeant Bryan Davidson is the son of Kenny and Susan Davidson.
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G.A. Hawkins is the father of Keress Stuckey. He served proudly as member of US Marines during the Korean War.
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Roy Brandenburg, father of Lori Rittenhouse, served as a Paratrooper in the US Army.
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Gary Bishop is the brother-in-law of Lori Rittenhouse. During his 30 plus years of US Army service, he served all over the world. He is pictured he in Iraq.
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| Dustin Lee Dunlap, son of Nancy Dunlap, was born in Graham, Texas on October 26, 1982. He graduated from Prairie Valley High School in 2001. Dusty was a freshman in college when 9-11 happened. From that day on, he felt it was his calling to serve his country. After graduating from Tarleton State University with a Business Degree, he joined the United States Army. He served with the 501st Airborne Infantry Regiment in Fort Richardson, Alaska for the last five years, during which time he served one deployment to Afghanistan. He was recently commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and transferred to Ft. Benning, Georgia. He is married to his wife, Sara, and is the father of five children, Trinity, Tate, Wyatt, Gunner and Charlotte Dunlap. |
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Necia Marin's cousin, Lane Floyd is a proud serviceman with the US Marine Corps.
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| Rebecca Browning's (GJHS) and Philip Robertson's (Woodland) father Johnnie Robertson, served as MP SP4 Fingerprinting Specialist for the US Army from 1964 to 1966 in Vietnam. |
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| Regina England's father and Misty Mill's grandfather, Marlin James Sargetn, served proudly in the US Air Force for 20 years! |
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Daniel Brian Sargent is the brother of Regina England and the uncle or Misty England.
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Patrick William Sargent is the brother of Regina England and uncle of Misty England.
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| Our Special Education Director, Rhonda Cavett's father, Sam San Angelo St. served five years in Vietnam, two years of that was as a patrol boat Chief Petty Officer on river patrol. He was awarded the Bronze Star for Valor in Combat. |
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| Rhonda Cavett also shared with us a close family friend, Wayne Kuschel. He was the epitome of an American Soldier and Veteran after joining the Army in 1940, at age 16 and with an eighth grade education, he was selected to become a pilot for the Army Air Corps. He then went to college to obtain his degree before he began pilot training. He had a wonderful and blessed career in the military in which he retired after 20 years of service in 1960. Shortly thereafter, he accepted a position in the Army as a civilian. While as an Army civilian, he served in Vietnam. After several executive management positions, Wayne retired from Civil Service at the rank of a GS-14. He passed away, fittingly, on Veteran's Day, 2013, and was honored with a memorial service at Sheppard Air Force Base and Internment at the National Cemetary in Ft. Snelling, MN. |
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Sandra Clayton's son, Bobby Cowan II has proudly served in the US Army for 4 1/2 years.
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Graham High School Math Teacher, Sarah Curd, served in the US Army for 8 years.
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GJHS's Sheena Parilla's father, Brent Jordan, was drafted into the US Army towards the end of the Vietnam War on June 19, 1972. While serving in the Army he was an operating room technician, medic, and an instructor in Anatomy and Physiology. He was able to use the GI Bill to fund his college education. He graduated from pharmacy school in October 1978. He has been a pharmacist for 37 years. He and Mrs. Parilla's mother own and operate Jordan Pharmacy in Graham,Tx and he is the proud "Pop" of three grandchildren.
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| Lance Corporal Colby Walker is the son of GHS teacher, Sherri Walker. Colby is a product of Graham. He was born in Graham and he attended GISD K-12. He graduated from GHS in 2014 and shortly thereafter attended boot camp. He has completed his first year and is currently an active duty US Marine. |
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| Shondra Seebeck is a Crestview Elementary 3rd grade teacher. Her husband, Anson L. Seebeck is currently deployed to U.A.E. and any/all prayers are greatly appreciated for him and for his family. |
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| GJHS teacher Susan McAlister's daughter, Lindsey Miller, served two tours of duty in Iraq. She was medically discharged and is considered a disabled veteran due to PTSD. |
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Graham High School Assistant Principal, Thomas Iles, served active duty as USAF Medic and Army Guard M-60 Tank Gunner. He began his service in 1973.
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| Tom Lewis and Barbara Lewis's nephew, Jordan Lewis has served our country as a US Marine for 10 years! |
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| Tom and Barbara Lewis also have a cousin, Colonel Steve Clouse, that has served admirably in the US Army. Colonel Clouse was a career military man giving 34 years of service to our country. |
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| Retired Lt. Colonel Robert H. Breding is the step father-in-law of Toni Stansell (GHS). He served in the US Air Force from 1943 to 1975. This gentlemen was in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam Wars. Papa was also in NASA with the First Man in Space Program! He was often heard saying "the most important thing anyone can do, is to get an education!" |
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| Toni Stansell's father-in-law, Jack Stansell, served with the United States Coast Guard from 1958 to 1961. |
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Mike Stansell is the brother-in-law of GHS's Toni Stansell. He served in the US Army from1985 to 1993. During his time of duty, Uncle Michael was in the Gulf War.
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| Toni Stansell's nephew, Justin Stansell has been an active duty soldier in the US Navy since 2014. |
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Bud Freeman is GISD Assistant Band Director Dax Freeman's father. Bud served in the US Army from 1952-1955.
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Dax Freeman's grandfather, Bill Meher. Bill served in the US Army 1941-1950.
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Jim Perryman is the husband of GHS's Debbie Perryman. Jim served in the US Navy as an active serviceman from 6/74-6/78 and in the Reserves 6/78-6/80
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| Debbie Perryman's father, retired Master Sergeant Donald T. Diehl, served in the US Army for 20 years. |
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| Douglas D. Perryman is the father in law of Debbie Perryman. He served in the US Army for 20 years. |
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| Kitty Rosser's (GJHS) dad, Leonard O. Gragson served in the Army. He worked for Patton (but never saw him) developing reconnaissance photos in a day so they would have info right away. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his work. Additionally, he received an additional Bronze Star for photographic work but turned it down for higher rank and better pay. He also worked for Time/Life magazines and photographed death camps. He described this as the worst thing he ever had to do. Leonard destroyed most of the photos so we would never have to see them. Kitty still has one of the photos of the ovens at Auschwitz-Birkenau! He always wished he had saved them for a Holocaust museum. |
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| Linda Swetnam's (Crestview Elem) father, Jimmy M. Swetnam, served in the US Army from 1953-1955. |
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Lynda Spring's (GJHS) father, Bobby Lee Holland, served as a US Marine from 1952 to 1955.
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Edie Hopping's (GJHS) grandfather Colonel Theodore Caldwell Hoffman, served for 30 years in the US Air Force.
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| Dutch Grubbs is the father of GJHS Band Director, Hugh Grubbs. He served with US Navy for 28 years. |
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Hugh Grubbs grandfather, Hardman "Tex" Grubbs, served in the US Army for six years.
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Jayne Beale's dad, Colonel Herbert Elliott, served in the 442nd Regimental Combat Team which was a fighting unit composed almost entirely of American soldiers of Japanese ancestry who fought in World War II. The 442nd Regiment was the most decorated unit for its size and length of service in the history of American warfare. Colonel Elliott also served in the Korean Conflict. He retired as a US Army full-bird Colonel with 40 years of service!
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| Frank Fujita is the uncle of GISD Director of Technology, Jayne Beale. Frank Fujita was one of only two Japanese Americans to be captured by the Japanese during WWII. He was a member of the "Lost Battalion" and was a prisoner in Japan for three and a half years. Frank served for 20 years in the US Army. |
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| Jayne Beale's nephew, Jerrod Elliott has served in the US Army for 10 years. Sergeant First Class Elliott served as an Army Ranger during his deployments--once to Iraq and four times to Afghanistan in support of the Global War On Terrorism. He is still proudly serving in the US Army. |
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| Atlee Hamelin is the son of Shannon Hamelin (GJHS). Atlee is a GHS graduate; enlisted upon graduation, and scored so high he was sought after by the Space Operations in Vandenberg, CA. He's recently made staff sergeant and earned another stripe! |
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Tracy Pippin's (GHS) husband, Jimmy Pippins Jr. served in the US Navy for five years.
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| Lowell Flanery is the father of Tracy Pippins (GHS). He served in the US Army for two years. |
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| Scott Flanery is the brother of GHS's Tracy Pippins. He served with the Army Reserves for ten years. |
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| Emily Yates (Woodland) father and grandfather both served in the US Air Force. Her father, Darrell served for 5 years. Her grandfather, Al Kingery, served for 29 years. |
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| Janie Roach's (GHS) father, Corporal Joe John "Jack" Hoehn served state side in the Army Air Force from May of 1943 to February 1946. |
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| Colonel Bertha Jane Hoehn is the aunt of Janie Roach. Jane began her US Army nursing career in 1945. She retired in 1972 after 27 years of service. |
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| Janie Roach's uncle, 2nd Lt. Clarence M. Hoehn, began his service in the US Airforce November 1940. He served in South Pacific 1941 thru Dec. 1942. He returned home and attended Pilot school and died in a plane crash in May 1954. |
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| Janie Roach's uncle, Albert Donnelly Hoehn, enlisted in the US Navy in 1942. He was an active duty serviceman from Sept. 1942 through the spring of 1946. Al served in the South Pacific from 1943 thru August 1945. Following active duty Albert then joined the reserve and retired with the rank of Captain in 1972. |
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| Madalyn Miller's (GISD Athletic Trainer) grandfather, James Camp, served 30 years in the US Air Force from 1951-1981. During his military career he served in the Korean Conflict and Vietnam. |
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| Rhnea Milam's father, Major Harvey Lee Clinton, served in the US Army for 18 years. He was deployed to Korea for 2 years. He spent 6 years in the Army Reserves and 10 years with the America Volunteer Reserves. |
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| Edward Alan Karper is the father-in-law of GJHS's Alison Karper. Edward served for 4 years in the US Navy. |
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| US Marine Corp Corporal, Emiliano Evan Simental is the son of Pioneer Elementary's Lupe Simental. Evan was a 2009 graduate of Graham High School. |
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Graham Junior High School teacher, Jennifer Perkins, served 4 years in the US Navy.
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| Coach Tommy Grace (GJHS) served 2 years in the US Army. He was drafted in 1972 and spent 6 months in Louisiana. In 1973 the U.S started pulling out of Vietnam so he spent 18 months in Germany with the 547th Engineer Battalion. He is pictured speaking the Mrs. McGees class about Veteran's Day. |
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| Don Davis's grandfather, Fred Hugh Davis was killed in action over Germany. He served a Tailgunner for the Royal Canadian Air Force during WWII. As he was too young to join the US forces, Bill "jumped the border" and joined the Royal Canadian Air Force. |
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| Blake Davis is the nephew of Stephanie and Don Davis (GHS/Admin). He has served 5 years in the US Navy. |
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| Cindy Thomas's father, William "Bill" Hoffman served in the US Navy. Bill was on the ship - USS Chelab serving as First Class Specialist/Storekeeper. His was assigned to the Pacific War Zone, Philippines, Hawaii, and Japan 1945-1946. |
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Vickie Coleman's (Admin) father, William S. Ferguson was in the US Navy during WWII.
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Bob Larry Bishop is the step-father of Vickie Coleman. He served in the US Navy.
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| Howard Earl Whitaker, grandfather of Vickie Coleman, served in the US Army during WWI. |
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| Debbie Townley's son, Caleb Townley, served in the US Navy for 2 years. Caleb was injured while on active duty. He is a disabled Veteran and he loves the United States of America! |
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John Townley is the father-in-law of Debbie Townley. John served 2 years in the US Army.
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| Sergeant Aaron Taylor is the husband of Heather Williams (Admin). Aaron served in the US Marines from 1996-2001 as Sgt, Fireman - MCAS, Yuma H&HQ |
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Warrant Officer Grundy Taylor is the grandfather of Heather Willaims. Grundy served with the US Army Air Corps from 1935 to 1953. He received the Bronze Star and Purple Heart for meritorious service during World War II.
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| Maranda Roberts (Woodland) brother, Zach Hardin (left in pic) has served in the National Guard for 6 years. In 2008 he was deployed to Iraq for a year. We are thankful and proud of him for helping protect our country! |
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Patti Hornsey's (GLC) father Gilmer Spring served in the US Army from 1954 to 1958.
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J. I. Moody Sr. is the grandfather of Patti Hornsey. He served for 4 years in the US Army during WWI.
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| J. I. Moody Jr. is the uncle of Patti Hornsey. He served 4 years in the Pacific during World War II. |
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| Bill Reese is the father-in-law of Paige Reese (GJHS). Bill served in the US Navy from 1969-1972 in Vietnam. |
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| Corporal Larry Mahan is the grandfather of Paige Reese. He served in the US Army from 1944 to 1951. Larry had tours of duty in WWII and the Korean War. |
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| Paige Reese's grandfather Don Hugh Casey served in the US Army during the Korean War. |
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| Wendell L. Webb is the father of Lana Hazlet and the grandfather of Paige Reese. Wendell served in the US Army as a Pfc Infantry 137-Company L. He served during WWII in the Normandy and Rhineland campaigns of1944. |
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| Thomas Rasile is the grandfather of Chris Rasile (Technology). Thomas served 20 years in the US Air Force. |
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| Alexander Macey is the stepson of Chris Rasile. He has served in the US Army for 5 years. |
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| GISD Board of Trustee, Andrea Lowery's husband is Jeff Lowery. Jeff served in the US Army for 4 years. He was an Army- 3/75 Ranger. Jeff was an active member of this community and has two children in Graham ISD. |
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Sara Lowery is the step daughter GISD board member, Andrea Lowery. She was a structural aircraft mechanic in the U.S. Navy for 5 years and served two tours on the USS Carl Vinson during the Gulf War. She is pictured here with Jack Lowery at age 9/10. Jack is currently Junior at Graham High School.
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| Odis "Buddy" Broomhall is the father of Brenda Fields (GJHS). He served as a 1st Lieutenant in the US Army on the USS Mitchell during the Cuban Missile Crisis. |
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| Matthew "Bubba" Broomhall is the nephew of Brenda Fields. He has served in the US Army, SPC 3rd BCT 82nd Airborne Division. Bubba has been deployed to Afghanistan twice. |
Not Pictured
Chris Rasile's father-in-law- Terry Watkins
2 1/2 years in the US Army
Military career was cut short because he was shot in action during the raid on the American embassy in Saigon. He survived, although the Newsweek article from February 1968 that related the events said he was killed. The article did not name him by name, but described the events and said that the person who was him in the fighting was shot and killed.
Alice Day's (Crestview) father- Lester F. Starr
US Army- 1930's
Brandi Menard's father- D. L. Goble
US Army
Christy McChristian's (GJHS) dad- Albert Watts
US Army 1966 - 1968
Vietnam
Dawn Riley's (Pioneer) son- James E. Riley
US Air Force
James graduated from Graham High School in 2014. He joined the Air Force in December of 2014. He is currently stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State.
Mary Sander's (GHS) father- John C. Hammond
US Army 1951 - 1953
Thomas Iles (GHS Asst. Principal)- father- Aubra Lee Iles
US Navy
Served WW II 1943-46 as Gunners Mate on the USS Wilkes Barre Light Cruiser. He saw action in the China Sea and landed ashore after the fall of Tokyo. The ship became the Flag Ship of the Pacific after the surrender of Japan.
Thomas Iles- grandfather- Aubry Iles
US Army
Served WWI from 1918-1920 as an Infantry Rifleman. He spent 12 months in the trench warfare thoughout France until the surrender of Germany.
Thomas Iles- father-in-law- Dale Proctor
US Marine- 8 years
Served during the Korean War as a Drill Sergeant
Thomas Iles- mother-in-law- Lahoma Downing Proctor
US Marine- 4 years
Served during the Korean War as a Drill Sergeant
Vicki Chauncey's (?) father- W. M. DeTurpin
US Navy during WWII
Vicki Chauncey's grandfather- R. J. DeTurpin
US Army during WWI
Vicki Chauncey's father-in-law- W. B. Chauncey Jr.
US Army
Vickie Chauncey's nephew- Jake Machnicki
US Navy
Vickie Coleman's (Admin) father-in-law-
Robert Andrew Coleman
Army Air Corps during WWII and the Korean War
Robert was on active duty but never over seas. He was a flight instructor. The Army Air Corps which was changed to Air Force while he was in service.
Kelly Qualls father- George M. White
US Marine for 4 years during Vietnam
Anne Routon and Sara Murray grandfather-
Major Joseph E. Murray Sr.
US Army 4 years
Joseph served as a Captain in WWII, receiving 4 Bronze Stars. He retired from the Army Reserves as a Major.
For those of you who did not have the chance to participate in our survey over the past couple of weeks, we invite you (and everyone else) to share your thoughts by commenting on this post.
Again... THANKS A TON FOR YOUR SERVICE AND MAY GOD BLESS AMERICA!
Using Animoto we created a video using the pictures included in this blog posting. The music for the video is American Pageant performed by the US Air Force Band of Flight. Please click on the link below to view the video.
