The Peru Gazette

Donald Joseph Auclair, US Air Force 1957-1961, Cold War

Donald joined the US Air Force along with 13 classmates from Tupper Lake High School under the buddy system. 

He attended basic training and AIT at Lackland Air Force Base to become an Admin Clerk. He was later assigned to Long Island Air Base as a part of Air Defense Command. He was later stationed at Minot Air Force Base in North Dakota. Donald recalled it being a very cold place with temperatures of -40F were soldiers received an extra $11/month for their troubles. He joked that Minot received its name because of all the patches in the fence, Airmen would refer to them as, “Hey that’s my knot.” 

Donald was assigned to pack KC135s when he met a Lt. Colonel who took him on as his right-hand man. He indicated it became easy work and everyone bowed to him because of his connection. Donald said at 17 years old, he grew up pretty fast at Lackland Air Force Base.

Raymond Bigrow, US Army 1972-1973, Vietnam, 

Raymond joined the United States Army on a promise by his recruiter that he could run track on the Army team, though he later learned that was not the case.

He attended basic training at Fort Dix as well as AIT.  Raymond was assigned to Fort Campbell Kentucky as a Personnel Specialist. Though the Army did not provide the opportunity Raymond initially entered for, he explained that he is a very proud Veteran. 

Raymond is actively involved in the American Legion and is commander of the Honor Guard and has also participated in over 250 funerals for Veterans as a member of the Honor Guard.

Patrick George Blinn, US Army 1969-1972, Vietnam

Patrick joined the US Army and attended basic training at Fort Dix. He later attended AIT at Fort Belvoir Virginia to be a diesel mechanic. 

 Patrick was sent to Quang Tri in Vietnam, a historic town which served as the frontline near the DMZ. Patrick later spent time in Hanover Germany, mostly ordering parts. 

Patrick recalled one story where he had to hitchhike from his base to the next base to fly home and he got picked up by an ammo truck. A child ran and jumped on the side of the truck and another soldier kicked the door open sending the child down an embankment into the river.  

After three years of service in the US Army, Patrick returned home carrying with him the experiences and memories of his time serving in Vietnam and Germany. His service was an important chapter in his life and a lasting part of his story as a US Army veteran.

William Robert Burns Jr., US Navy 1967-1997, Vietnam

Bill’s 30-year U.S. Navy career began with four years at the U.S. Naval Academy, where he was a four-year varsity tennis player and co-captain, followed by an all expense paid “tour” of Vietnam aboard the gunboat USS Gallup. 

After earning a Master of Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School, Bill returned to sea, serving in increasingly responsible operational, engineering, and command positions. The highlight of Bill’s Navy career was commanding three ships, including the frigate USS Bagley, the ocean-going tug USS Ute, and, ultimately, the nuclear-powered cruiser USS Long Beach. 

Two memorable deployments stand out: Commanding the USS Bagley during Operation El Dorado Canyon in the Mediterranean and again as commanding officer of Long Beach, participating in Operation Fiery Vigil, helping evacuate military families and their pets following the catastrophic eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines.

As important as these patrols were, the lasting memory Bill has of that deployment was the moment he knelt on a sandy beach in Nice, France and asked his wife, Catherine, to marry him. She said yes and they will celebrate their 40^th wedding anniversary this coming December.

 In retirement, Bill worked on a study commissioned by Congress and devoted much of his time to volunteer work, church, family, and community service. He has enjoyed life with his wife, children, grandchildren, and their dogs, while reflecting on how richly God has blessed him.

George Desotelle Jr., US Navy 1965-1969, Vietnam

George joined the Navy with little hope of attending college, as he came from a family with one working parent and seven siblings. With several relatives who had served in the Navy, George was familiar with military life and found the Navy appealing.  

George attended boot camp in Great Lakes Illinois where he reported a very cold 6 weeks. He was then stationed on the USS Orion and sent to Naval Air Station Pensacola for additional schooling as a radio operator. 

George spent time in Winter Harbor Maine in Acadia National Park doing Communications and then completed his career aboard the USS Georgetown. George reported sailing into the Indian Ocean before having to turn back stateside due to mechanical issues.   

Dennis Raymond Doyle, US Navy 1962-1964, Vietnam

Dennis joined the Navy for the opportunity to see the world. He entered Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, but later left the program and continued training at Great Lakes, Illinois.

He was sent to Norfolk, Virginia, where he waited about a month for orders to the USS Enterprise. Dennis recalled a 26-hour flight from Norfolk to Port Lyautey, Africa, followed by another five- to six-hour flight to Rhodes, Greece, where he boarded the Enterprise.

Assigned to the Executive Division, Dennis specialized in Journalism and Communications. He described the Enterprise as a “show ship,” where celebrities such as John Wayne and Bing Crosby came aboard. He served aboard for 22 months.

Dennis recalled going to the Officers Club in plain clothes with others. An officer he had interviewed recognized him but did not discipline him, later telling Dennis he could have ended up in the brig.

After 30 years with SUNY and 13 years with PARC, it is fitting that this ceremony takes place outside his former office.   

Kenneth Paul Ellis, US Army, 1969-1970 & 1991, Vietnam/Desert Storm

Ken was drafted into the US Army and attended basic training at Fort Dix. He then was sent to Fort Sam Houston to become, as he called it, “a grunt medic.” 

Ken was then sent to Korat, a base on the Cambodia/Thailand border which now serves as a base for the Royal Thai Air Force. At the time, this was a combat wing hub and Ken was sent there for close air support. Ken spent 1 month there, and this was designated a Hardship Tour Area. Ken received a 5 month early out and was discharged at Oakland Army Air Base. 

Ken later received an OCS Commission in 1991 after a Presidential Proclamation ordering him back to Active Duty during Desert Storm. Ken reported being on standby the whole time and serving approximately 2.5 months. 

When asked about any particularly humorous stories of his service, he simply replied, “Snakes & Monkeys.”

John Adrian Girouard, US Air Force, 1970-1974, Vietnam

John joined the US Air Force with a friend on the buddy system after receiving a draft notice. Unfortunately, John’s friend would pass in a car accident before they entered. 

John attended basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and received additional training at Lowry Air Base in Colorado to be a Material Facilities Specialist. John was then assigned to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware where he spent his time working in the warehouse.

John shared that one of the most difficult aspects of his service was being stationed at Dover, Delaware, home of the official Dignified Transfer location for the U.S. Armed Forces. He recalled witnessing the solemn arrival of metal transfer cases containing the remains of fallen service members—a deeply painful experience that left a lasting impression on him and continues to affect him to this day.

Robert Paul Lewis, US Army, 1967-1969, Cold War

Robert was drafted into the US Army right out of High School. He attended Basic Training at Fort Dix and then onto AIT at Fort Belvoir Virginia to train to become a Generator Operator and Mechanic. 

Robert was assigned to Weisbaden Air Base in Germany from January 1968 to June 1969.

Robert recalled fondly the good friends he made during his service. He especially remembered the “southern boys”. Robert also recalled chasing rats with the M151 and, one time when he was using the outhouse, a huge rat the size of a housecat came under the door. The unexpected encounter left Robert with a story he would never forget.

Robert went on to use the skills he learned during his service as a diesel bus mechanic for 21 years. He is also proud of his service as the Chaplain for the Keene Valley Legion for 20 years.  

John Wayne Patnode, US Marines, 1969-1971, Vietnam

John joined the Marine Corps on the buddy system with a close friend. He attended boot camp at Parris Island and ITR at Camp Lejeune.  John then attended pole climbing school at Camp Pendleton finally returning to Camp Lejeune for line training and running switchboard. 

John was sent to Vietnam in September 1970 outside Da Nang Hill until July 1971. John served as a door gunner on a medivac chopper for one month. He also served with the 1^st Battalion 5^th Marines as an MP for a while. 

John recalled a time where guys were out lifting weights and decided to lift a Commander’s Jeep between 2 stones. He said the Commander was good about it and gave them 20 minutes to get it put back. 

John credits the Marine Corps for teaching him discipline and unconditional respect for everyone.

John Poulin, US Army, 1953-1961, Korea

John volunteered to serve, and he said that they chose the Army for him.  He completed his basic training at Fort Dix and then finished cook school at the same location.

John was sent to Suwon Korea where he spent approximately 1 year there cooking for soldiers.  

John recalled one time finding a young Korean boy inside a trash can searching for food. He stated the boy had leprosy and it was hard seeing him like that.  John also reported enjoying his trip to Korea, especially the train ride to Suwon.

John returned to Fort Dix where he assisted with construction of new housing. John also served as the Colonel’s orderly on weekends. One time a new 2^nd Lieutenant once told John he needed to early morning PT with the other soldiers, but the Colonel stepped in and fixed it for him. 

Brian Robert Stork, US Marines, 1970-1974, Vietnam

Brian was drafted into the Army but decided he would go explore other opportunities at the recruitment office in Plattsburgh. He recalled hearing that the Air Force and Navy had delayed entry programs, but they were too far out. He remembers looking down the hallway and the Marine recruiter said, “Wanna go tomorrow?”   

Brian attended Boot Camp at Parris Island and ITR at Camp Lejeune to be an Avionics Technician. Brian saw several different assignments throughout his career, including Memphis TN Naval Air Station, Cherry Point NC, Lwakuni Japan, and Subic Bay Naval Air Station in Luzon Philippines.   

Brian recalled how the Philippines has Martial Law from 11pm to 4am and he had to catch an early flight, so he ran through town to get back to base with getting caught by the Philippines Police. Brian also recounted a time in Lwakuni where he had a few beverages the night before and then had the best time he ever ran on his PFT the next day. 

Brian reflected how in his entire time in the Marines, he never touched a plane. He thinks one time he leaned against an A4 while sweeping the hangar but spent most of his time working on equipment for planes and component repair. 

Brian also served in the NY Army National Guard from 1982-1983 and then the Vermont Air National Guard from 1984-2001.

Gary Earl Taylor, US Navy, 1972-1976, Vietnam

Gary researched every military branch before choosing the Navy, following in his older brother’s footsteps—though his wife jokes he only picked it to impress her mother and win approval to marry her.

Gary attended Boot Camp at Great Lakes Illinois and his Class A School also there where he went from an E1 to E3. 

Gary was assigned to the USS Simon Lake, hull number AS 33, and was responsible for the emergency diesel generator. He later worked in the boat shop where he took care of the Captain’s Boat and recreational boats. 

Gary reflected on his service years as a good time. He stated that he didn’t have to live on the ship and instead lived on the beach with his wife. He said their house was the party house and they had good times every weekend with guitars and country music. Gary said they did a lot of camping and saw bull fights and the running of the bulls. 

Gary received a commendation for repair to a hydraulic crane after working 2 weeks straight of 12 hours on and 12 hours off.