THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 I THEAUGUSTAPRESS.

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Luciano “Louis” Charles Graziano served in World War II. Staff photo by Charmain Z. Brackett

WWII: LUCIANO “LOUIS” CHARLES

By: Charmain Z. Brackett
Over the years, Luciano “Louis” Niagara, N.Y., where he was told tapped for a temporary position. him a commendation as utilities
Charles Graziano would write to shave his mustache — “or else.” He asked why and was told they’d foreman.
notes on scraps of paper and “I didn’t know what ‘or else’ was, looked into his resume. His first His time in England was gearing
throw them into a box containing so I shaved it,” said Graziano. customer was the headquarters’ up for D-Day — June 6, 1944.
old photographs. Before he left, he made a commander. That task earned His assignment was to drive
They were for his book, said recording for his father.
Graziano, 98, who finally got “I told him everything we were
around to publishing his story in going to do to Mussolini, and
2019. everything happened just like I
His daughter, Kim Evans, said said. He played that record every
all she and her siblings knew for day I was gone,” he said.
many years was that both of her After training in the United
parents served in France during States, he was sent to England
World War II, but little else. Now via the “Queen Mary,” which was
she and the rest of the world an ocean liner not a military
know of a remarkable time in his transport ship. Quarters were
life — landing on Omaha Beach cramped, he said. To roll over in
with the third wave on D-Day and his bunk he had to get out and
fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. get back in. He only did that one
He may be the last living witness night and after that moved to the
to the Germans’ signing of the ship’s deck where he spent his
instrument of surrender at the nights.
Little Red Schoolhouse in Reims, He spent 18 months at England’s
France in May 1945. Camp Weston.
When Pearl Harbor was bombed Graziano has always been good
in 1941, Graziano was living in with his hands. While in England,
New York, cutting and styling he oversaw 35 soldiers who built
hair. The son of Italian immigrants roads, Nissen huts and a theater
who came through Ellis Island, among other things. He even Louis Graziano is in the honor guard to the left of the flag. His wife, Bobbie,
Graziano answered Uncle Sam’s cut hair while in England. When was with the women behind the honor guard. Photo from Graziano’s
call in 1943. He headed to Fort the regular barber fell ill, he was memoir “A Patriot’s Memories of World War II.”
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NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 2

a tanker off a tank landing ship Graziano took care of other

on Omaha Beach in Normandy, buildings including one referred
France. to as the “Little Red Schoolhouse.”
Once he drove the truck onto He was in charge of setting up
the beach, he jumped out of the the room for a very important
vehicle. date — May 7, 1945 — the day the
“The Germans were up shooting German high command signed
down on us. I took a flame thrower the instrument of surrender in
and got rid of the machine guns,” Reims.
he said. He remembers the somber faces
With the machine guns out of of the Germans that day. Although
the way, he sent up a flair for the Gen. Dwight David Eisenhower
Navy. was in the Little Red Schoolhouse,
Some of the men had lost their he wasn’t in the same room with
weapons after jumping in the the Germans during the signing.
water trying to get from the LST “He didn’t want to be in the room
to the beach. in case the Germans wanted to
“I told them to take the guns back out,” Graziano said.
from the ones who’d died,” he Graziano would stay in France
said. another 19 months until
He also was part of the Battle of Christmas 1946.
the Bulge the following winter. It was during that time that he
The campaign lasted from met his wife, Bobbie, who was
December 1944 to January 1945 a staff sergeant in the Women’s
in brutal conditions. Auxiliary Army Corps.
He and a group of soldiers She stood him up for their first
were called on to locate some date, but that didn’t deter him.
of Gen. Patton’s soldiers who’d He asked her out a second time,
gotten lost. Being exposed to the and she was there for the date.
elements cause many soldiers to They married on Oct. 2, 1945
encounter frostbite and trench at the courthouse in Reims and
foot. honeymooned in Paris.
Graziano had trench foot with She was an Alabama native and
fluid oozing from blisters on his didn’t want to live where there
feet. He ended up in the hospital was snow. His home state of New
for three weeks. Many soldiers York was out of the question. He
with trench foot had to have their answered an ad for a hairdresser,
feet amputated. and the couple settled in Thomson
Also during his time in Reims, he where they raised five children.
was back to building and caring for He put his building skills to use
them. He built a theater using the in Thomson and constructed
labor of German prisoners of war. his own shop, Louis Hair Styling
It was used by USO performers Salon. He still has a few customers
including Jane Froman. His who insist on having him do their Bobbie and Louis Graziano met while serving in World War II. Courtesy of Louis
assignment was to drive a tanker hair. Graziano.
off a tank landing ship on Omaha “There wasn’t anything he
Beach in Normandy, France. couldn’t do,” said Evans. “He’s still
Once he drove the truck onto the same way. If anyone needs He’ll be speaking to a group invited to France in May 2022 to
the beach, he jumped out of the anything, we just call on him.” of students at Columbia take part in the 77th anniversary
vehicle. Bobbie Graziano died on her Middle School Nov. 12. ceremonies of the German
“The Germans were up shooting husband’s 84th birthday — Feb. In September, the Vincent surrender.
down on us. I took a flame thrower 6, 2007. Hommeril, the French consul He hasn’t returned to France
and got rid of the machine guns,” While he still does the occasional general, was in Thomson to since the war, and Evans said
he said. hair appointment, Graziano is present Graziano with the they’ve applied for his passport
With the machine guns out of often called on to speak. Order National de la Legion so he can make the trip.
the way, he sent up a flair for the d’honneur. Graziano has been
Navy.
Some of the men had lost their
weapons after jumping in the
water trying to get from the LST
to the beach.
“I told them to take the guns
from the ones who’d died,” he
said.
He also was part of the Battle of
the Bulge the following winter.
The campaign lasted from
December 1944 to January 1945
in brutal conditions.
He and a group of soldiers
were called on to locate some
of Gen. Patton’s soldiers who’d
gotten lost. Being exposed to the
elements cause many soldiers to
encounter frostbite and trench
foot.
Graziano had trench foot with
fluid oozing from blisters on his
feet. He ended up in the hospital
for three weeks. Many soldiers
with trench foot had to have their
feet amputated.
Also during his time in Reims, he
was back to building and caring for
them. He built a theater using the
labor of German prisoners of war.
It was used by USO performers Louis Graziano is to the left of the flag in this photo of a parade in Reims, France. Photo courtesy “A Patriot’s
including Jane Froman. Memory of World War II.”
 NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 3

OPER IRAQI FREEDOM: HOWARD STALLINGS

By: Tyler Strong  Stallings defined supplying
communications as establishing
  Howard Stallings finds the better connectivity between the
opportunity to serve his country U.S., Europe and the Middle East.
a great privilege. So much so   After his time overseas was
that after leaving the military in done, Stallings was stationed in
the early 2000s, he re-enlisted to Colorado and was supporting
serve once more. Operation Iraqi Freedom, working
  Stallings grew up in Augusta in satellite imagery and telemetry.
as a self-proclaimed military   Stallings left the service then
brat. His dad served in the Army. and came back home. However,
He graduated from Aquinas he said it wasn’t long before he
High School in 1992 and went missed the military.
to college at Gardner-Webb   “I loved serving my country,”
University in North Carolina, Stallings said. “You are a part of
earning a bachelor’s degree in something larger. You get a better
psychology. world view of things, and what
  Stallings said his father was you do is essential to the country
“definitely involved” in his and our allies. Being a part of that
decision to join the military after is amazing.”
college.  Stallings also praised the
  “The whole reason why I joined educational aspects of the
the military was my father,” military. He said he was able to
Stallings said. “He was an Army work on his master’s degree while
doc and went everywhere to in the military and was able to
do that. He had such an impact gain technical experience and
on many lives, and my life too. It real life experience at the same
drove me to want to serve, myself.” time.
  They discussed different   Now, Stallings is looking to
branches and the benefits of each. get back into the federal side of
The Air Force offered Stallings the things, working to get into Cyber
best path, and the process started Command or a similar unit in the
from there. Augusta area.
  Stallings joined up and was   “It’s competitive because Fort
soon overseas, working in Gordon is at the cutting edge A picture of Stallings from his basic training days. Photo courtesy Howard
England, Germany and Norway. of everything, and everybody Stallings.
His mission was focused on wants to be here,” he said.
supplying communications for “They’re looking for the best and
NATO. brightest, and the mission they sometimes. But it’s the big picture accepted at first. But we found
  However, he said that the do is fantastic. I want to be part of you need to keep track of. It’s for acceptance in our American
mission changed after 9/11. that.” your community, your allies and identity through the military,”
  “That was a real game-changer,”   Stallings expressed a deep your country. I challenge anybody he said. “As a man of color, it was
he said. “Our whole mission focus appreciation for the military as a that feels the calling to go. See nice to represent our country in
shifted from the end of Cold War result of his experience. the world. Be part of something a way that was almost color-
stuff to fighting terrorism. We  “The military is not for bigger. Only about 1% of the blind. It doesn’t matter where
were helping our native partners everyone, but for those who are American populous will ever be you come from or what your
and supporting our U.S. bases granted the opportunity to serve, in the U.S. military. It’s really an background is because we are
in Europe. Then, we went more I see it as a blessing more than honor to serve a country as great all there for a single mission: to
global after 9/11, supplying a curse,” he said. “It’s not an easy as ours.” protect the free world. So much
communications to the Middle life by any means. You are called   Stallings also wanted to offer of the world and the country is
East as well.” to do something difficult, and it his perspective as a person of divided, but the military isn’t
will challenge you emotionally, color in the military. like that. You’re my brother and
physically and spiritually   “The history of Black enlisted you’re my sister. Freedom isn’t
and Black officers that have free, and we all have to fight for
served is that we weren’t totally it.”
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NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 4

WWII: OSCAR RAY BARNEY JR.

The Berlin Airlift was the response special equipment that made
to the first crisis of the Cold War us look like a huge bomber,” he
in June 1948 “when Soviet forces said. “We were dropping flares to
blockaded rail, road and water locate targets.”
access to Allied-controlled areas   The North Koreans took notice
of Berlin. The United States and of that, he said.
United Kingdom responded by  “We turned on our fancy
airlifting food and fuel to Berlin equipment, and they turned on
from Allied airbases in western their fancy equipment,” he said.
Germany. The crisis ended on   He spent the next several
May 12, 1949, when Soviet forces years stateside, completing
lifted the blockade on land access assignments and getting a
to western Berlin,” according college degree. Toward the end
to the Office of Historian, U.S. of his Air Force career, he was sent
Department of State website, with his family to Turkey with little
history.state.gov. information.
  His first assignment in Germany   Even when he arrived in the
had been as a supply officer, but country, he didn’t know what
the Air Force needed navigators his job would be or to whom he
for the airlift. would report.
  “We took loads of coal and food.   “I said ‘Where’s my commander?’
Somebody started dropping and was told ‘You can’t talk to
candy for kids,” he said. them,’” he said.
  After the Berlin Air Lift, Barney   He would later find out that he
headed to Washington state. It was doing logistical support for
wasn’t long before the United NATO.
States was involved in the Korean   That assignment would be one
War, and the Air Force needed of his last as an Air Force officer.
Barney in Korea. His future options would have
 Before heading to Korea, included the Pentagon, and he
however, he went through a didn’t want to go there.
survival course in the Sierra   Barney looks back on his Air
Mountains. On the trip out of Force career with a sense of
the United States, he stopped in accomplishment.
Los Angeles, where he phoned   “I went in to defend our country.
his wife, who told him she was Hopefully, I did that. I didn’t go to
Oscar Ray Barney Jr. turns 99 June 7. He spent more than 20 years in the Air pregnant. be a hero,” he said.
Force serving in World War II and Korea. Staff photo by Charmain Z. Brackett   “I said ‘Don’t worry, I’ll be back   Instead, he moved back to
in time,’” he said. Georgia and settled in Atlanta. He
  He flew 25 missions in Korea. eventually found himself working
By: Charmain Z. Brackett of bases stateside.   “We had some planes with with vocational rehabilitation
They gave us brand new B17s
Editor’s Note: This story originally and told us we were going to fly
appeared on June 6, 2021 in to England,” he said.
honor of Oscar Ray Barney Jr.’s It was nearing the end of 1944
99th birthday. We wanted to when he boarded a plane for
honor this World War II veteran England via New Jersey and
in our selection of Veterans Day Labrador. Barney said they used
stories and have added a collage a different aircraft after their
photograph of Barney’s father, training.
son and grandson who are also “They took the pretty one away
veterans. and gave us one that was used,”
he said.
Retired Lt. Col. Oscar Ray Barney He flew on missions from
Jr. wanted to help his country win England to Germany. They’d fly in
a war, but his first assignment groups of 14 to 15 and form a box,
wasn’t one he thought would he said. Once over Germany and
help in that effort. under fire from the enemy, they’d
 Barney entered the Army drop the bombs and return to
during World War II. With a musical England.
background, he was first assigned Barney spent May 8, 1945, also
to be part of the band, but that’s known as VE Day, in Paris. Planes
not where he wanted to be. flew past the Eiffel Tower and
“You can’t win a war tooting a Arc De Triomphe, and he recalls
horn,” said Barney who turned 99 seeing “people elbow to elbow.”
on June 7. At the end of the war, he helped
He exaggerated the amount of transport prisoners of war back
time it had been since he’d played home.
while hoping to get another When he returned stateside,
assignment, and eventually he Barney had a choice of staying in
did. He went into the infantry the Air Force.
first, then into the Army Air Force’s “If you stayed in, you had the
Academy. At the time, what is opportunity for additional
now the Air Force was part of the training,” he said.
Army, according to a history at   And when the military offered
army.mil. The Air Force became a to let him stay in and return to his
separate military branch in 1947. hometown of Atlanta, he decided
At the academy, he could train to stay in.
to become a pilot, which took   He met his wife, “a beautiful
three years, or he could become young brunette,” at a supply store
a navigator. in East Point.
“It was a short time for a   Other short stints included
navigator,” he said, opting to train some time in Illinois and then to Some of Retired Lt. Col. Oscar Ray Barney Jr.’s medals. Staff photo
as a navigator. Germany, where he worked with by Charmain Z. Brackett
His training occurred at a couple the Berlin Airlift.
 NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 5

Oscar Ray Barney Jr. turned 99 June 7. He spent more than 20 years in the Air
Force. He is second row, second from right. The group is in front of a B17. Photo

Oscar Ray Barney Jr. turned 99 June 7. He spent more than 20 years in the Air Force. He is second row, second from right. The group is in front of a B17. Photo
courtesy Oscar Barney Jr.

and that brought him to what at Gracewood State School his retirement, taking more than service beginning with Barney’s
was then Talmadge Hospital, and Hospital doing vocational 100 cruises. He said he sometimes father, Oscar Sr. who was a World
now Augusta University Medical rehabilitation. wakes from a nap at Camellia Walk War I veteran; his son, John who
Center.   “I enjoyed all of it,” he said. and wonders what port he’s in. served in the Air Force during the
  Barney helped people find   Years after he retired, he’d still  Barney said he’s looking Vietnam War, and his grandson,
alternative careers after they were hear from people who thanked forward to celebrating his 100th Wesley, retired after 20 years
unable to continue in the career him for helping them find a new birthday next year. in the Marines. Wesley Barney
they trained for after a disability. career path.  The Barney family has a served in Afghanistan and Iraq.
  He spent his last five years   He continued to travel after multiple generations of military
 6
NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 6

POST 9/11: JEFF FOLEY

money,” he said. after that, went to the Pentagon
  By year’s end, he knew he and my second tour of duty.”
didn’t want to quit.   The road finally led back to
  “I said, ‘This is way too much Augusta, when he was named
fun. And I don’t want to leave it,’” Fort Gordon’s commanding
he said. general, a post he held until his
  During that time, he also met retirement in 2010.
Beth, the woman who would   He started Loral Mountain, a
become his wife and partner in business to help people learn
the military. organizational leadership skills,
  “She was an Army nurse at harkening back to the euphoric
Fort Bragg. And we started experience in Korea, the joy
romancing back then,” he said. of watching people grow into
“And together we said, ‘Let’s, leadership roles.
let’s keep going.’ So, we ended  Fort Gordon survived a
up getting married, obviously. Base Realignment and Closure
When I met my military spouse, Commission of 2004. Foley gives
I knew I had someone who credit to the work done by then-
understood the military, and Congressman Charlie Norwood,
of course, when you fall in love Fort Gordon Garrison Commander
with someone like that, and you Col. Thom Tuckey and the CSRA
have a couple, it helps the cause.” Alliance for Fort Gordon, along
 After Korea, assignments with community support.
led to Fort Gordon, then Fort   Then the attention turned to
Leavenworth, Kan., and then to growing the post, bringing in new
Germany. In 1990, when Saddam missions.
Hussein invaded Kuwait, Jeff   “And we change the vision and
Retired Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Foley. Photo courtesy Jeffrey Foley Foley was deployed to Saudi mission of the Alliance. And then
Arabia. the drumbeat changed. We’re not
  “I was in the signal brigade. trying to save for war, we’re trying
By: Dana Lynn Mcintyre We were designing and to attract the cyber environment
orchestrating the whole of the world,” said Foley. “And it
  Retired Brig. Gen. Jeff Foley happen.” communications architecture was a wasn’t just a drumbeat. It
grew up in a patriotic family,  It changed in 1984, in for the invasion of Iraq,” he said. was a very deliberate strategy,
the son of a man who landed Uijeongbu, Korea when Foley “And that was a fascinating engagement with the United
on the coast of France about a had what he described as a experience, had great, had great States Army, the Department
week into Operation Overlord, “euphoric experience.” bosses, great people to work for of Defense, congressional
better known as the Battle of   At 28, he was a young captain and work with.” perspective on let’s bring when
Normandy. The family always with 220 soldiers assigned to   Beth Foley stayed behind in the Army made the decision to
flew an American flag, and Foley him, and his commander was a Germany. create the cyber branch of the
achieved the rank of Eagle Scout couple of hours away.   “I think in many cases, it was Army, that was almost a no brainer
as a teen.   “I had a combat mission. We more difficult for her and the to bring it to Fort Gordon.”
  But a career in the military were supporting the combined folks who stay at home. We   Foley started out to be an
was not part of his game plan. Field Army in a pretty dangerous were so focused. We knew what engineer. Instead, he became
  “I was thinking going to West place,” he remembered. we were doing. And we didn’t a brigadier general, a leader of
Point and playing football and   It was there that he realized have a lot of communications men and women. It is a path he
getting an engineering degree the importance of his position back home,” he said. “So, they’re encourages others to consider.
and spending a tour of duty in to the well-being of his troops. wondering, ‘What the hell’s   “I think it’s the military can be
the United States Army,” said They depended on him, and he going on over there? Are they a wonderful experience,” he said.
Foley. “The Academy wasn’t all was able to watch them grow safe? Are they in danger? Are “To learn about your nation to
that much fun for most of the and excel. they alive? Are they sick?’ What learn what selfless service is to
time I was there. But that was   “It was like, ‘I don’t think I’m and the unknowns are what learn the values of the United
it got me into West Point. And I going to have this experience drives the stress at home. So, States Army, have loyalty, duty,
got an engineering degree. I left on the other side. The grass is I think it was much harder for respect, selfless service, honor,
the academy figured I’d do my not greener out there, from this Beth and so many others than it integrity and personal courage
five years, go back to Cincinnati leadership perspective – might was for me.” and to learn how to live with
keep my season tickets to the be more money and all that,  Foley moved fom being others, and how to contribute to
Cincinnati Bengals, but it didn’t but I was never motivated by a major in Germany, to Fort a cause greater than yourself. It’s a
Hood, Texas, and a promotion wonderful experience.”
to lieutenant colonel, to the
Pentagon, the National War
College in Washington, D.C.,
back to Fort Bragg when he
was promoted to colonel, a
return to Fort Gordon as Chief
of Staff, then to the U.S. Central
Command.
  “I was promoted to brigadier
general and went to U.S.
Central Command as the senior
communications guy on the
CENTCOM staff,” he said. “The
U.S. Central Command is the
four-star regional combatant
commander responsible for Iraq
and Afghanistan. And we were in
the middle of the war during all
of that. So, I spent a fair amount
of time in Southwest Asia. And
Retired Brig. Gen. Jeff Foley.
Retired Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Foley. Photo courtesy Jeffrey Foley
 NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 7

THE MAKING OF A DAY FOR VETERANS

Illustration is based on an image from the National Archives. Alterations by The Augusta Press staff.

By: Hubert van Tuyll

who owed the lords loyalty. Those one of the major reasons why many things. The word veteran
Veterans’ Day is rightly observed nobles, in turn, would bring their the Constitutional Convention may refer to a lifelong professional
throughout our country. servants. Rewards – including of 1787-89 created a far more soldier or a short timer. It covers
Specifically reserved for those who those for past service – did exist, powerful federal government the combat veteran and the clerk
have served the United States, it but there was no organized than before. (Another not in the rear. The percentage of
is distinguished from the other system. unrelated reason was national noncombatants in armies has
two national days for military As more modern organized security, as we could not protect increased steadily. In World War I,
personnel, Memorial Day and armies began to appear, their ourselves.) half of the troops never left North
Armed Forces Day. officers often received benefits Veterans benefits became America, although ironically,
We are so used to accepting the that extended beyond their actual more popular when a large the epidemic made their life on
need to honor our present and service, but the rank and file had proportion of the nation’s families average just as dangerous as the
former soldiers that we might not to content itself with its pay. Land had a veteran in their ranks. soldiers in France. And all who are
realize that it has not always been settlements were available, but This happened three times in in army are subject to the dangers
so. This nation’s veterans were not over time. these became less less than a century. In terms of of war, not to mention the dangers
treated at all well at the very outset. available (except in Ireland). This participation, the greatest of of peacetime training.
In this, America was little different is why so many nobles became these was the first, the Civil War. This was clearly understood
in its attitude than many other conquistadors, seeking land, It gave birth to Memorial Day, when World War I ended. At
countries –veterans, who after a fame and fortune in the Americas. but as yet there was no national 11a.m. on the 11th of November
certain age have little to offer, were In the United States the day to honor U.S. veterans. 1918, the guns fell silent. That the
hardly viewed as a priority. availability of land – once However, there were many ending of this war represented
It was not always so. In ancient liberated from the natives – special recognitions of veterans’ something significant, something
Greece, for example, there was was not a problem, but for the service across the country, much special, and not just another
great honor in military service. The farmers who joined Washington’s of it organized through the Grand diplomatic agreement was
philosopher Socrates was justly Continental Army, this was not Army of the Republic. This was the universally accepted. Hence the
proud of having refused an offered always a practical alternative. A postwar organization intended unfortunate term “the war to end
exemption and instead served as farmer in Massachusetts would for all veterans of the Union army. all wars,” and the establishment
an ordinary soldier in the Athenian have little use for a land grant in The biggest step was taken of a special day, soon accepted
phalanx. the Ohio Valley. The soldiers were during World War I. In terms of in many nations: Armistice Day.
We always think of the ancient promised bonuses after their impact on America, that war does It was always to be celebrated
Greeks as philosophers and service, but the new United States not compare to the Civil War on Nov. 11. While it celebrated
artists, but no Greek city would had no money to honor those because we were a comparatively the end of the war, it was from
have chosen a draft dodger as its commitments. Revolutionary late entrant. The war began in the outset seen as a time to
leader. (We have done it twice.) In War veterans were very unhappy July of 1914; we declared war on recognize veterans. I suspect this
ancient Rome, veterans returning with their treatment after the war, Germany in April of 1917, and our was because so many countries
from successful expeditions and the lack of promised money combat presence did not become had unprecedented numbers of
gained great public acclaim, and was the last straw. In 1785 a significant for another year. Yet for veterans to care for.
Rome operated hospitals and mob of armed veterans attacked Americans, it was still a gigantic In 1954, the U.S. Congress
residences for veterans. In some Congress, which had to flee the event. More Americans served in renamed Armistice Day to
places, veterans from elite military then-capital of Philadelphia as the American forces than at any Veterans Day. So nowadays,
units, such as Turkey’s Janissaries, it had neither the money to pay time since, and half – some two American veterans have their own
received benefits upon retirement. the veterans, nor the money to million – would serve overseas day, as well a cabinet department
So why did this not continue into provide itself with security. in France and Belgium. While our to look out for their welfare, a chain
the modern age? Two years later a Massachusetts losses were low compared to our of hospitals, and a host of benefits
In the history of the West, this is veteran, Daniel Shays, launched allies, they still exceeded Vietnam including job preferences, the G.I.
not difficult to understand. After a rebellion that the New England and Korea combined (over half Bill, special university programs,
the collapse of the Roman Empire, states suppressed – but with being from a virus, the ‘Spanish’ and discounts at many private
regular armies were virtually great difficulty, and it took six Flu). businesses.
nonexistent. Armies consisted months. The federal government This brings us to a very important May it always remain so.
of nobles and vassals, i.e. people was far too weak to help. This was point; being a veteran covers
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NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 8

VIETNAM: BOB YOUNG

Bob Young, former Augusta mayor, served in the Air Force in Vietnam. Photo courtesy Bob Young

By: Charmain Z. Brackett

  Airplanes are what drew Bob it, opting for the Air Force instead.
Young to join the Air Force over   But in the Air Force, Young
other branches of the military. didn’t get to follow his dream
  “I’ve always loved to fly. It’s in of becoming a pilot. Instead,
my DNA,” said the former Augusta the military branch tapped into
mayor who soon learned it was another area that would become
what the military wanted not a huge part of his life and work.
what he wanted when it came to He had worked at a radio station
assignments. in his hometown of Thomson
  That was in 1967 during the prior to joining the Air Force.
Vietnam War. Young had received   He found himself in the Air
a draft notice. He’d first talked Force’s broadcasting track and
to an Army recruiter who tried ended up at Lowry Air Force Base
to convince him he could fly in Colorado, where he worked on
helicopters, but he decided against training films.

Bob Young was assigned to the Armed Forces Vietnam Network. Photo
courtesy Bob Young

  “I had experience with every service members in Vietnam.

piece of equipment the Air Force   He worked in several different
had,” he said. locations during his time in
 In 1969, he became part Vietnam.
of the Armed Forces Vietnam  The broadcasts provided a
Network, which was comprised of slice of American life for service
members of different branches of members who were a long way
the military. from home.
  “It was a unique experience   “We wanted to keep it as it was
being part of a joint service,” he in the states,” he said. “They were
said. isolated from their family and
  AFVN was responsible for radio friends and what was happening
and television programming for at home.”
Bob Young during the Vietnam War. Photo courtesy Bob Young
 NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 9

Bob Young was part of a special broadcast about the Apollo 11 moon landing when he served in Vietnam. Photo courtesy of Bob Young

  The impact of what they did I flew to L.A.,” he said.

was hard to measure, he said,   He was interviewed about his
but they did get a lot of positive time in the AFVN for an episode
feedback. called “Souvenirs” that aired
 “They would tell you how in 1990. That episode won a
much they enjoyed it. We were Peabody Award.
the only source of that type of   He served as mayor of Augusta
entertainment,” he said. from 1999-2005 and resigned
  Young said he’d never forget when President George W.
one special broadcast involving Bush tapped him to serve as
the Apollo 11 moon landing in the regional director of the U.S.
1969. Department of Housing and
  Working with the technology Regional Development in Atlanta.
of the day, they took previously
recorded NASA video and teamed He worked at Phinizy Swamp for
it with the audio from the moon two years.
landing to provide a glimpse into
space for those in Vietnam. Young said he’s retired, but he
  He remembers delivering the stays busy.
broadcast film and playing it in a
remote location. He’s authored several historical
  “I was very proud of the way fiction novels including the
the crew put it together,” he said. “Treasure Train” and “The Hand of
  When the USO tours would the Wicked” and has appeared in
come through, he’d often meet several movies including “Poms,”
with the performers and do “The Blind Side” and “Agent Game,”
broadcasts about those as well. recently filmed in Augusta.
  Since he joined the Air Force to
be near planes, he used his days He also works to help other Bob Young during the Vietnam War. Photo courtesy Bob Young
off to fly with others. veterans. One goal of Young’s is
  Young returned stateside in the development of a veterans’
1971 and left the military after his cemetery in south Augusta.
four-year commitment. He’s hopeful that project will
  He worked for WBBQ radio overcome its hurdles to be a
before becoming a television reality in the next few years.
journalist and anchoring for
WJBF-TV, the ABC affiliate. From
1988 to 1991, ABC aired a drama
called “China Beach” about a
medical team in Vietnam.
  “They used me as a consultant.
 10
NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 10

VIETNAM: IRA TINDALL

Ira Tindall is pictured here as a young airman boarding a fighter jet. Photo courtesy of Ira Tindall.

By: Skyler Andrews

  Retired Air Force Col. Ira Tindall’s   Tindall recalls that when he and qualified to train as either a a bachelor’s degree in math at
storied military career began on a his friend had arrived, he found pilot or a navigator. While University of Southern Mississippi.
whim, in order to satisfy—or quiet that several of the 137 people Tindall says that gave him an   In January 1963, Tindall took
down—a friend of his who had who had come to take the test ego boost, once he received survival training at Stead AFB
sights set on being a pilot. were highly educated. Some the letter requesting him (now Reno Stead Airport) in Reno,
  “I didn’t have any desire, really,” had master’s degrees and even to report to Atlanta to be Nev., where he was top gun of
said Tindall. “He kept on telling me, doctorates. sworn in, he put the letter his F-100 class before joining the
‘Let’s go down and take the test,’ and   “I said, ‘Buddy, we’re in the away. 20th Tactical Fighter Wing and
finally, I agreed to go with him.” wrong place,’” said Tindall, who at  Tindall reconsidered being assigned to the 79th Fighter
  Tindall was a son of sharecroppers that point had recently graduated one day while plowing the Squadron at Royal Air Force
in Ty Ty, Ga. who knew little else but high school and completed a year field, working the farm for Woodbridge in Suffolk, England.
plowing mules and farm work. He and a quarter at Abraham Baldwin his father as he was wont This led to his operations in the
aspired to become a veterinarian. Agricultural College. to do between semesters Vietnam War, stationed at Thakli
But that Sunday afternoon he and   Tindall completed the written at college, when nothing and Korat, both Royal Thai Air
his friend hitchhiked from Tifton, portion in an hour and 15 minutes. seemed to be going right. Force bases in Thailand; and Phan
Ga. to Valdosta to take the Airman He then took the psychomotor, Wondering where he’d put Rang Air Base in Vietnam.
Qualification Exam at Moody Air or coordination test, and later the letter, Tindall discussed  Tindall flew 387 combat
Force Base. found out he not only passed, but the idea with his mother. missions while stationed at Phan
  “She said, ‘You really want Rang and Korat. He recalls missions
to?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I’ll give it a in South and North Vietnam,
go,” said Tindall. “She said, Cambodia and Laos, often
‘Well, I saved it for you.’ So dropping napalm or bombing
I went to Atlanta and got fallen helicopters to prevent the
sworn in.” enemy from getting to them. He
 That was May 1954. even remembers one mission he
Tindall went on to graduate flew as a forward air controller
in the top 10% of his pilot during which he received word of
training class. He eventually a pack train transporting supplies
accepted a regular for the enemy from the north. His
commission in 1957, after contact shot a flair, and Tindall
he’d realized he loved flying. discovered it was elephants
  Tindall was assigned at carrying war supplies.
several bases in different   “We killed a lot of elephants on
roles. He trained instructor that trail,” he said.
pilots at Craig AFB near   Tindall contrasts South
Selma, Ala., teaching Vietnam missions with those in
instructor training, jet North Vietnam, where the enemy
qualification and primary often fired 85 mm surface-to-air
pilot training. He got an missiles up to 30,000 feet.
assignment with the F-100   “Now, North Vietnam was a
fighter jet, and in the little different,” said Tindall. “Not a
Air Force Lt. Col. Ira Tindall (right) next his wife Ginger. Photo courtesy of middle of all these earned little, a hell of a lot different.”
Ira Tindall.
 NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE

  He recalled a mission at the commercial pilot’s license but

edge of Hanoi to bomb a railroad decided to continue in real estate.
marshaling yard. Tindall, leading a He went on to become the owner
flight of four, narrowly escaped 57 of Re/Max Masters Real Estate
mm surface-to-air fire to release a and now Tindall Realty. He says
3,000-pound bomb on the source that the principles he took to
of the target. heart the most from the military
  Tindall recalls sometimes doing and that he carried on to his life as
flybys, zooming by over ground a businessman are “self-control,
troops just 100 feet above them, honesty and integrity.” Tindall
at 500 mph. The troops excitedly notes that while he trusts the
waved back, feeling safer knowing goodness of most people, he had
the Air Force was nearby. to adapt to the stark difference
  “I’d rather have been in that in the prevalence of discipline
plane instead of where they and honesty among civilians and
were,” said Tindall. “They had to among the military.
worry about it 24 hours a day. I   “If you’re in war together with
only had to worry about it when someone, you have to trust them,”
I was flying.” said Tindall. “I had to adjust to that.
  Tindall would work in several There’s not the integrity there that
other roles stateside between you have in the military. You can
his tours in Vietnam and his lay down your life for your buddy.
retirement in 1980 at the age I don’t think you would out here.”
of 45. He went on to get his Ira Tindall as a young Air Force Major. Photo courtesy of Ira Tindall.

A framed and signed photo of an A-7D attack aircraft, deployed when Ira
Tindall was in the 356th Fighter Squadron as a lieutenant colonel. Staff
photo by Skyler Q. Andrews. Retired Air Force Col. Ira Tindall, now the owner of Tindall Realty in Evans. Staff
photo by Skyler Q. Andrews.

Framed picture in the office of retired Air Force Col. Ira Tindall, honoring his
time in the 79th Fighter Squadron. Staff photo by Skyler Q. Andrews.
 12
NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 12

COLD WAR: GAIL ERLITZ

Gail Erlitz spent 20 years in the military. Staff photo by Charmain Z. Brackett

By: Charmain Z. Brackett

  Retired Lt. Col. Gail Erlitz had and she couldn’t afford rent in said Erlitz referring to the 1980 told me I’d have to run a mile in
a sense of discontent in the late Manhattan. Instead of staying in movie starring Goldie Hawn combat boots,’” she said. “I ran,
1970s. a position she wasn’t happy with, about a young Jewish woman, but I did it grudgingly.”
  At 24, she’d been working as Erlitz visited an Army recruiter. who, although the least likely   Her first assignment took her to
a registered nurse in New York   Her commitment was three candidate to do so, joined the the opposite coast — the Presidio
City for a couple of years, but she years. Army. “I’m Jewish and from New in San Francisco, where her
wanted more from her job.   “I looked at it as an adventure,” York.” colleagues became like family,
  “I was making $14,000 a year said Erlitz who’d spent all her life   And she probably fell into that and she loved her job. Her next
and living in an apartment owned to that point in New York. She least likely category as well. She assignment took her to Fort Lee,
by the hospital,” she said. wanted to travel. remembers going to her officer Va., where she met her husband,
  Because the hospital owned  Her two years of nursing orientation, where she was told David St. Martin.
the building, her rent was experience put her in as a first she’d do push-ups, sit-ups and   By the late 80s, the couple was
subsidized. She couldn’t leave her lieutenant. run one mile. in Germany and expecting twin
job without losing that subsidy,  “I was Private Benjamin,”   “I said, ‘My recruiter never sons.
 NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 13

Gail Erlitz on her promotion to major in 1987. Photo courtesy Gail Gail Erlitz in Germany in 1989. Courtesy Gail Erlitz
Erlitz.

 Erlitz remembers Storm started. Many of the

traveling through East hospital personnel in Germany
Berlin in July 1989 and were sent into the Middle
going through the various East with reservists backfilling
checkpoints. As a military positions. She and her husband
officer, she was required to were required to come up with
wear her Class A uniform a dependent care plan for their
with her rank insignia but 8-month-old twins
without her name tag.   “That was scary. I remember
  She said she got quite a crying, thinking about dying, and
few odd looks because she my children not knowing their
was wearing a maternity parents,” she said.
military uniform at the   With the short nature of the
time. war, Erlitz and St. Martin were
  She said they were told never deployed and didn’t have
if they had any problems to treat too many people injured
with the Stasi, the East in the Gulf.
German state security   Once they returned stateside,
office, to demand to speak they were assigned to Fort
to the Soviets. Gordon. He retired first, followed
  She recalled wondering by Erlitz in 1997.
how the people of East   Erlitz’s career as a military
Germany could possibly nurse was multi-faceted. She
be enemies of the United worked with patients, financial
States. All she saw was the officers and other administrators.
poverty they lived in. The Army paid for her to get her
  “I saw a butcher shop master’s degree. She also oversaw
with a long line in front of a construction project and helped
it, and they had nothing implement computer systems.
except oxtail,” she said.  All those assignments in Gail Erlitz was stationed in Germany when the Berlin Wall came
  Toilet paper was another the Army gave her a beefy down in 1989. Photo courtesy Gail Erlitz
product she didn’t want to resume in the civilian world. Not
get in East Germany. many registered nurses in the
  “It still had splinters in it,” civilian sector had the variety of
she said and then laughed. opportunities she had to work
  Less than four months in so many aspects of hospital
after her visit, the wall life. She spent another 15 years
came down, and not much working for University Hospital,
longer after that, Desert where she served as clinical
Storm happened. systems coordinator.
 Erlitz had been in   “I made an amazing decision at
the United States at a 24 to go into the Army,” she said.
conference when she   Now retired a second time,
heard Saddam Hussein she still works a few days a week
had invaded Kuwait. The in a local medical office, but she
gravity of the situation hit protects her time to follow after
her. Until that point, she’d that love that drove her into the
served during a time of military to begin with – travel. Her
peace. travels have spanned the globe,
  The family was still in and she’s happy that things are
Germany when the Desert opening up again.
 14 14
NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE

DESERT STORM: LISA MADDOX

The 9/11 memorial at the site of the original towers.

Lisa Maddox graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point. Photo courtesy Lisa Maddox

By: Charmain Z. Brackett

  At Arlington National Academy at West Point.

Cemetery, members of the U.S.   Maddox’s aspiration was to
3rd Infantry Division guard the become a doctor.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.   Her mother, Mattie, had few
 Dressed in their pristine career options open to her when
uniforms, the soldiers take turns she was growing up. She could
walking their 21 steps in front become a nurse or a teacher.
of the tomb. At regular intervals, While she wanted to be a nurse,
once an hour from Oct. 1 through Lisa Maddox said her mother
March 31 and every half hour almost fainted at the sight of
from April 1 to Sept. 30, the guard blood, so teaching it was.
is changed in a formal ceremony.   “For her, becoming a doctor or
  Lisa Maddox was an Aquinas a lawyer meant you’d made it,”
High School junior in 1984 when she said.
she visited Washington, D.C. with  Attending West Point was
her Girl Scout troop during spring rigorous both academically and
break and watched the moving, physically.
time-honored ceremony for the   At a recent reunion, she said
first time. she discovered she wasn’t the
  It was there that her life only one in her class who thought
changed forever. West Point equated leadership
 “I remember thinking I ability with running ability.
wanted to do something to   “I could do the push-ups and
make sure people had the same sit-ups,” she said.
opportunities to do and be   But it was the running she had
whatever they wanted that I had,” a hard time with. She always felt
said Maddox. like she couldn’t quite catch her
  The decision to go to a military breath. There was a reason for
academy was solidified when that. She was diagnosed with
a student in the class ahead of asthma after graduating. It was
hers was accepted into the U.S. also at West Point that she’d
Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md. sustain a knee injury requiring
While she first considered the surgery, the first of many she’d
Navy, she ended up receiving an endure.
appointment with the help of the   The first group of women
late U.S. Rep. Doug Barnard (D- graduated from West Point in Lisa Maddox (center) with her parents, Mattie (left) and Frank Maddox (right). Photo
Ga.) to the United States Military 1980. The Army loves statistics, courtesy Lisa Maddox
 NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE
15

she said, so she offered a few   After all, that was what all her
of them. leadership training was for, she
  “I was the 813th woman said.
to graduate, the 910th black   She saw a shift in the way the
student to graduate and military did business post 9/11.
the 73rd black woman to   Desert Storm, she said, had a
graduate,” she said. more traditional way of fighting.
 After graduating, she A battle line was drawn with
spent a couple of years in the enemy on one side and the
military intelligence. Then Americans on the other. That
she headed to medical completely changed in Iraq
school at the University of particularly where the battlefield
Pittsburgh. She wanted to was an urban setting and the
work in orthopedics but that enemy could be anywhere,” she
wasn’t a good fit at the time, said.
she said.   In the early 2000s, women
  Her last assignment was still weren’t supposed to be in
at the Aberdeen Proving combat, she said. There was one
Ground in Maryland. She got problem with that rationale.
out of the Army in 2004. She   “Nobody told the enemy that,”
returned into the private she said.
sector and began a career in  As a result, Lori Piestewa
the civilian world. (who was promoted to Spc.
  In 2010, she began a posthumously) became the first
residency program and later female combat casualty. Piestewa
returned home, taking a job was part of a support unit charged
in rehabilitation medicine with bringing supplies and was
at the Charlie Norwood VA killed in a convoy.
Medical Center.   The enemy knew attacking
  The job was something the supply chain was an effective
she could relate to her tactic as it would interrupt the
patients with. Multiple knee mission of American troops,
surgeries left Maddox with a Maddox said.
chronic pain syndrome, and   “You can’t fight without bullets,”
she eventually had part of she said.
her leg amputated.
  While she was in the Now retired, Maddox is involved
military during Operation in wheelchair tennis and
Desert Storm and the war wheelchair curling. The former
in Iraq and Afghanistan post high school basketball player still
the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist has Paralympic aspirations.
attacks, she was never
Lisa Maddox graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. deployed, but she wanted to
Photo courtesy Lisa Maddox be.
 16
NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 16

DESERT STORM: MIKE STRAUSS

to be a dazzling fireworks display. a highway looks more like a
  Even President George H. W. backroad residential street here,
Bush admitted he was getting just and we had to travel those roads
as much information from CNN as in the dark because we didn’t
he was from his own generals. For want to give away our position
most Americans, the Persian Gulf and we never knew what was in
War was the precursor to today’s front of us,” Strauss said.
prime time reality shows.   Speaking of highways, rumors
  Only it was a reality show and even news reports at the
featuring real live death and time accused the coalition forces
destruction. of mowing down retreating
  The stakes were much higher Iraqi forces on what was called
than the average American knew the “highway of death.” Some
at the time. Iraqi Dictator Saddam commenters at the time called it
Hussein made every attempt to a “turkey shoot.”
fracture the 35-nation coalition by  Strauss says that never
sending SCUD missiles exploding happened.
into Israel as part of what he called   “I was there. I saw those oil
“the mother of all battles.” fields on fire with my own eyes.
  As was true so many other The Iraqis were abandoning
times throughout history, the their vehicles and waving their
relatively small skirmish between underwear in the air. They were
a few small nations had the so cut off from their supplies
potential to domino into a much that their hair was all matted
larger conflict or perhaps even a down, and there was sand in their
world war, according to military beards, they were hungry…it was
historian Hubert van Tuyll. pitiful,” Strauss said.
  Strauss says that he and his   After his experience in the
fellow servicemen knew what Persian Gulf War, Strauss decided
they were up against and were to settle in North Augusta, not
determined to do their jobs far from where he was stationed
representing American might to at Fort Gordon instead of going
force Iraq into submission and back to his native New York.
prevent a larger scale conflict.   “People still call me a Yankee,
  “The infrastructure over there but that’s okay,” he said.
is not anything like what you see
in America. What they consider

Mike Strauss.

By: Scott Hudson

  The Persian Gulf War,   Strauss quite literally went
code named Operation from boot camp at Fort Gordon
Desert Storm, earned the to arriving in a war zone in the
nickname of “the video middle of a desert in a country
game war” because for that he would have been hard
the first time, people in pressed to find on a map.
America were able to watch   “It was scary, I’m not gonna lie
an entire military campaign to you. When you start hearing
unfold in real time on their the bombs drop, and you start
television sets. seeing that stuff, and you know
  For one North Augusta it’s real, you sleep with one eye
man, Desert Storm was open,” Strauss said.
anything but a video game.   Originally, Strauss was sent to
It was a real war with real Saudi Arabia as part of Operation
bullets. Desert Shield before joining the
 Mike Strauss was a invasion forces to liberate Kuwait.
19-year-old, bright eyed Strauss’ unit was tasked with
lad when he joined the U.S. building runways and helipads in
Army in 1990. A native of the midst of a war zone. His unit
Deposit, N.Y., a tiny village also dug graves.
near Binghamton (current   “We dug a lot of graves in
population 1,712), Strauss anticipation that there would be
was only a child when heavy casualties,” Strauss said.
America’s last major military   According to Strauss, battle
engagement, the Vietnam fatigue set in quickly as the
War, ended. constant bombardment of shells
  When Strauss enlisted, made it impossible to sleep,
the Cold War with the USSR and the threat of unexploded
was winding down, and he ordnance kept him in a constant
said he expected that he state of high alert.
would be serving in relative   When Desert Storm began in
peacetime. That would January 1991, Americans at home
change when Saddam were awed by the spectacle of
Hussein’s Iraqi troops tracer fire lighting up the night
invaded neighboring sky in Baghdad and watched on
Kuwait and threatened to as Wolf Blitzer of CNN reported Sam Anderson with family and friends at his garrison going away luncheon.
overrun Saudi Arabia. from the scene of what appeared
 NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 17

POST 9/11: RODNEY TYSON

more astute than he was about took place,” said Tyson “It’s part of
his upcoming challenges our responsibility in the school
adapting to civilian life. system to teach them about that.”
  “My wife told me, ‘You’re   After eight years at Grovetown
going to struggle a little bit High School, Tyson went into
when you take that uniform administration, serving as the
off,’” he said. “I said, ‘No, I don’t assistant principal at Evans High
think so. I think it’ll be a smooth School in 2017. He was selected
transition.’” to be the principal at Lakeside and
  After his retirement, Tyson began there in 2021.
became a Subway franchisee,   Tyson has combined insights
operating three restaurants from both eras in his life to
in the Augusta area. Most apply them to being a school
of his employees were high administrator. A key discipline
schoolers. One of the first from his days in the Army that
things Tyson says he had to has proven just as important in
adapt to, also noted by his education, Tyson says, is attention
wife, was the questioning of to detail. He learned to observe
authority. and pay attention to details from
  “When someone tells you to the strong sense of routine he
do something, it’s always, ‘Yes, was trained with, and the fact
sir,’” said Tyson. “Well, I quickly that in the Army, not paying such
found out when I got out of attention could cost lives.
the military that it doesn’t   “I tell young people all the time,
work like that with teenagers. the keys to success are in the
It doesn’t work with the civilian details,” said Tyson.
populace, period.”   The fruits of retired Army Maj.
  Tyson adapted to his young Tyson’s journey still flourish.
personnel’s defiant tendencies He recalls how, while teaching
mainly by explaining and at Grovetown High, instilling a
observing. The young workers certain discipline, respect and
would be more likely to patriotism in students in the ROTC
do something once they program was often streamlined in
understood why it needed to that his students were often the
Lakeside High School Principal Rodney Tyson. Photo taken from the Lakeside High be done. He examined them children of military parents. He
website. and their work habits, and over then observes how he rediscovers,
time determined that he had on occasion, the impact he has
the skill set to be a positive made and continues to make.
influence. It was here that   “I run into these kids now at the
By: Skyler Andrews Tyson’s next life course began grocery store, and they come up
to seem as likely as his first one. to me with their spouses and kids,”
  “My wife had been a teacher said Tyson. “ ‘I didn’t appreciate it
  Going into the military all of our military career, when I was at Grovetown, but I’m
was not an unlikely path for in Alabama, he went on so I had been all around in the military, or I’m doing this
Rodney Tyson, having grown to serve as a nuclear, education,” said Tyson. “My dad job, and I appreciate what you
up near Fort Bragg, N.C. biological and chemical was a teacher, as well. So it was showed me in that routine. It has
  “I was always around the specialist. His first station just a natural thing for me to paid dividends.”
military,” he said. “I always saw was at Schofield Barracks, do to make that transition into
the military as something I Hawaii. After six years as an education.”
wanted to do.” enlisted soldier, Tyson went   Tyson started his teaching
 However, Tyson, the to Officer Candidate School career running the ROTC
principal of Lakeside High and become a second department at McCormick
School, ventured a winding lieutenant in 1990. By the High School in McCormick,
path through the service time he retired in 2005 with S.C. Two years later, he would
that ultimately led him to a the rank of major, he was an launch the ROTC program at
career as an educator and acquisition officer stationed Grovetown High School once it
administrator. at Fort Gordon, working opened in 2009.
  Tyson enlisted in the U.S. on a new communication   Tyson’s journey into
Army in 1983. After basic system. education also entailed
training at Fort McClellan   Tyson says his wife was furthering his own, culminating
in earning his doctorate in
education from Cappella
University in 2016.
  Tyson says a lack of patriotism
or respect for the flag among
the students initially angered
him once he started teaching.
He recalls experiencing the
bond between soldiers and
their families that come of the
stringent and precarious life
of those in the military, and
the long-lasting friendships he
developed during that time.
He then remembers how this
already profound sense of
brotherhood intensified after
9/11, and the unity among
servicemembers that grew
deeper since that day.
  “I had to realize these kids
weren’t even born when 9/11
Retired Army Maj. Rodney Tyson served in
Rodney Tyson enlisted in the Army in 1983. Photo courtesy of Tyson. the Army for over 20 years. Photo courtesy of
Rodney Tyson.
 18
NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 18

SOMOLIA: SAM ANDERSON

tour. I had no intention to make it
a career, but I got commissioned
as an active-duty officer. And so
,I’ll go do that for three years and
go see the world. Then I’ll go back
and be an engineer at department
transportation in Virginia. That was
what I thought,” said Anderson.
  Once again, Fate had another
plan. He discovered he enjoyed the
Army. After ten years, he decided
to make it a career.
  His first duty station was with
the 10th Mountain Division, a light
infantry division, at Fort Drum, N.Y.
  On Christmas Day 1992, then-
First Lt. Anderson and the 10th
Mountain left Fort Drum, headed
to Somalia.
  It was a humanitarian mission
called Operation Restore Hope
to make sure food got to starving
people.
  “These warring clans inside of
Somalia were basically hoarding all
the food. And so, 300,000 people
Sam Anderson in Somalia died of starvation. It
was an international crisis. The
United Nations went in there to
By: Dana Lynn Mcintyre try to convince the warring clans
to distribute the food, and that
 As a young boy in was to get into the Naval that said Navy,’” he said. mission failed. So, then the UN
Maryland, Sam Anderson Academy, but a move to   Fate had a different plan. asked for the military to step in.
never envisioned a military Virginia opened another On his first day, he was told So, the military was deployed to
career, but a fourth-grade door. To the Virginia Military to stand in the Army line. He Somalia to basically secure the
field trip to the U.S. Naval Institute. followed the order. transportation and trade routes, so
Academy planted the seed.   “When you get accepted   A week later Anderson told that the food could be distributed
  “I just thought that that to VMI, they ask you what his adviser there had been a to the population,” he said.
was the coolest thing ever. ROTC program you want to mistake, that he had requested   Anderson described Somalia as
And so, I was like, I want to go into. And so I said, “Well, NROTC. He was told it was too austere, with no infrastructure.
go to the Naval Academy,” he you know, I always wanted late to change.  “I remember literally, we
recalled. to go to the Naval Academy.   “I came to enjoy what it strapped wood and toilet seats
  When he was a little older, So, I’m just going to circle would be like to be in the Army, to the tops of our Humvees when
he realized how difficult it this little three by five card I decided that I would go do a we when we deployed in there
because, you know, we had to
make our own toilets out of, you
know, cut up 55-gallon drums and
the toilet lids that we brought,
because, I mean, literally, there
was nothing there,” he said.
  They also set up a
communications network so
military vehicles could talk to each
other.
  “I would get on the road with
three vehicles, my gun truck, my
fuel truck and my wrecker. I was
like, 22, 23 years old, and I had
three or four kids with me that
were 19 or 20. And we get out on
the road, drive all over Somalia,
delivering food and fuel. We didn’t
have air support; we didn’t have
fire support. Our comms were
probably mediocre at best. I mean,
looking back on it, in hindsight,
it was pretty risky,” he said. “I look
back on now, fortunately, I got to
see the whole country because I
drove everywhere. But, towards
the end of the mission, you could
tell that the militia was getting
more bold. They were anxiously
awaiting for us to leave, they could
get back to doing the bad things
that they were doing.”
  By the spring of 1993, Operation
Restore Hope accomplished its
purpose, and 10th Mountain came
home. The United Nations took
over and more American soldiers

Sam Adams, right, and his friend Scott Spellmeyer, in 1998 after Adams’ first night halo jump.
 NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 19

left Somalia. Sam Anderson, and the family to

  In June 1993, just over 1,000 Fort Gordon when he served as
U.S. troops remained, but then 24 garrison commander.
Pakistani soldiers were ambushed   “When I got elected to be a
and killed. U.S. and U.N. troops garrison commander, I didn’t
searched for Mohammed even know what that was. I didn’t
Farah Aidid, the leader of one have any idea what they were
of the warring clans, believed responsible for. I started learning
responsible. about it, and I couldn’t believe
 Operation Gothic Serpent that the army was giving me that
began with Task Force Ranger much responsibility,” he said.
sent to Mogadishu. The mission “Power, childcare, schools, ranges,
culminated in October 1993 with infrastructure. Human resources,
the Battle of Mogadishu, perhaps the press, the public face of the
best know by another name – installation.”
Black Hawk Down.   He discovered he enjoyed the
  “I was not there as part of challenge and the interactions
that. Kind of legendary mission. I with the Augusta-area
obviously I know a lot of people communities. When it came time
that were because after my to retire, the family decided to
time in 10th Mountain Division, stay in Augusta and be a part of
I actually was assigned to the the community they had come to
Ranger Regiment, and then spent love.
the rest of my career in the special   He is vice president of a cyber-
ops,” said Anderson. security business and participates
  He met, and in 2000, married in the Fort Gordon Regional
Jana Yancey. He says he could Management Plan, a project of Sam Anderson as garrison commander at Fort Gordon.
not have been as successful in his the CSRA Regional Commission.
career without her. He’s also part of the CSRA Alliance
  “You know, the commander’s for Fort Gordon.
wife has a very unique role in the   He’s excited by the growth
military, run the family support that’s been happening over the
group, she has to kind of keep past decade and looking forward
the team together, while all the to more of the same in the future.
military members are deployed,”   “You know, I’ll be 90 years old
he said. “She has to be the strong- sitting on the porch, and there’ll
willed person, strong face to the be kids that aren’t even born yet
of the organization, even though going through the cyber school in
she’s scared, worried about her world class facilities that started
husband, just like everybody else.” being envisioned in 2013 and
  Ultimately, Fate stepped in 2014. So, it’s pretty cool,” he said.
again and brought him, now Col.

Retired Army Maj. Rodney Tyson served in

the Army for over 20 years. Photo courtesy of
Rodney Tyson.

Sam Anderson with family and friends at his garrison going away luncheon.
 20
NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 20

OPER IRAQI FREEDOM: GLENN KENNEDY

Glenn Kennedy

By: Dana Lynn Mcintyre

 Glenn Kennedy serves the   He was named for his father, Cadets and enlisted following greatest generation. I would
residents of Columbia County Sgt. 1st Class Glenn Kennedy graduation. His first duty station never argue against that. But I
as deputy county manager, but who served in Vietnam, including was with an armored battalion at would add that, whenever you
service comes naturally to him. the 1965 Ia Drang Valley battle Fort Carson, Colo. see young Americans pick up
  Kennedy served in the U.S. memorialized in the book “We   He said one of his most that mantle and go to war, you’re
Army for 26 years. His last Were Soldiers Once…and Young,” meaningful assignments was as seeing the greatest of each
assignment before retiring was and movie starring Mel Gibson. commander of the 17th Signal generation. And you can be given
garrison commander at Fort The senior Kennedy died in battle Battalion, starting in 2004. no greater charge, no greater
Gordon. in 1966. His son was just a year-  “Because really, there’s no honor, than to be responsible for
 Kennedy’s military career and-a-half-old. greater honor than being able them. And probably no greater
continued a family tradition   After graduating Evans High to lead American soldiers, task than to be responsible for
dating back seven generations. School, he enrolled in what was particularly in a combat leading with the ultimate goal of
His ancestors can be traced as far then North Georgia College where environment,” he said. “You hear making them successful in their
back as the American Revolution. he was a member of the Corps of a lot about World War II is the mission and keeping them alive.”
 NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 21

  The unit spent about a year two years under President George
in Iraq. Its major mission was to W. Bush, and one year under
provide communications and President Barack Obama.”
support combat operations just   Eventually, his road led back to
north of Baghdad. Augusta and Fort Gordon. He said
  While he was in Iraq, wife serving as Garrison Commander
Angela and their three children was a big job, very different from
were in Germany. He knows he his previous assignments.
asked a lot of them at that time   “The thing that makes it such a
and throughout his career. challenge is, it’s so different from
  “My wife did not grow up in anything else you would do in the
a military family, but she took military. We all know, we know
on that role of being the senior how to be operations officers, we
leader’s wife very, very well,” he know how to be platoon leaders,
said with pride. “She was heavily battalion commanders, and so on
engaged in the family support and so on. But it’s quite a culture
activities of the organization. I shock to essentially become
spent 26 years in the service. I really this the city manager for
would tell you that it is my wife, this space that you’re on,” he said.
my three kids who made that  What strikes him about a
possible. I asked a lot of them; military career is the connections
every service member asked a made among people who serve
great deal of their family. And it’s together. When he was stationed
hard, it is a sacrifice. I remember in Korea, he received a letter from
that growing up myself. And someone who had served with his
obviously, as a child that gave the father. Then others contacted him.
ultimate sacrifice in my father.” When he was being promoted to Glenn Kennedy served in Iraq as battalion commander at Camp Victory in Tikrit, Iraq.
  From Iraq came an lieutenant colonel, the ceremony
assignment to the White House was held at Fort Benning and
Communications Agency. They included Lt. Gen. Hal Moore, Joe felt that it was my time to give relationship with Fort Gordon and
had to ensure communications Galloway, who co-authored the back to them,” said Kennedy. the surrounding communities
support for the president and “We Were Soldiers Once . . . And “And there was an opportunity, you’re hard pressed to find a
vice president was available, no Young,” and Command Sgt. Major because Scott Johnson reached match anywhere else. And it was
matter where they were. Basil Plumley, who also fought in out to me to see my interest in the right thing to do.”
  “Very, very intensive. Very fast the 1965 battle. being a deputy administrator at   The Kennedy family’s tradition
paced, but a very satisfying job,   Ultimately, it was family that the time, and now, one of the two of military service continues. His
too. And I got to see a lot of things prompted his decision to retire deputy managers. And it was a son did a four-year tour with the
that I would have never dreamed from the military and accept the perfect transition. My wife and I U.S. Marines and both sons-in-law
of flying on Air Force One or job with Columbia County. both had family here at the time. are enlisted.
Marine One. And, and moving in   “I really felt like at that point So, it was the right place to be in
and out of the White House as I they had given enough. So, I just and it really is a good area. The
needed to,” he said. “I did that for

Glenn Kennedy with his combat patrol team at Camp Spiecher, Iraq.
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NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE 22

MEET THE PRESS

Debbie Van Tuyll

Executive Editor Senior Reporter
Scott Hudson

Joe Edge
Publisher Features Editor
Charmain Brackett

Connie Wilson
Business Editor
CFO
Tyler Strong

Dana Lynn McIntyre

Reporter Reporter
Skyler Andrews

Sylvia Cooper
Columnist Columnist
Michael Meyers

Anna Porzio
Reporter Crime Reporter
Greg Rickabaugh

Ashley Brown
Sports Columnist
NOVEMBER 11 - 2021 PAGE