The Peru Gazette

Samuel Blanchard – US Army 1971-1974 Vietnam

After receiving his draft notice, Sam would head to the recruiter.  At basic he would be separated from the others due to his size and asked if he could take care of himself. The Corporal would then make him squad leader and offer him a bottle. In Heavy Construction, Sam’s initial assignments had him guarding the stockade and working in the motor pool shop. The first Vietnam War cease-fire order would alter his orders, sending him to the 79^th Engineering Battalion in Germany for repair and utility. Here Sam found himself in a real-time F-Troop. They had no functional purpose, the barracks were nasty and in extreme disrepair, and drug and alcohol abuse were rampant. A request by Sam to relinquish his stripes would be met with medical review by the Army as they didn’t understand why he would want to do this.

Traveling home, protesters would rock his bus and called them “baby killers.” Sam has dedicated his life to supporting veterans and honoring his family’s many military generations.  He appreciates that service teaches individual strength, offers a path that can change your life, and builds lifelong friendships.

Richard Charlebois – US Army 1967-1969 Vietnam

Dick would be drafted as a Canadian citizen after taking a year off from college. At Fort Jackson, he would receive medical training which lead him to a nursing career as a civilian. From Fort Hood, Dick would be deployed to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. Dick would fly medical evacuation for his year in Vietnam.  On a disastrous mission, his helicopter propeller would be hit; they would take shrapnel dropping nearly 50 feet. Dick would exit safely, experiencing hearing loss from a blown-out eardrum. He would receive numerous medals including the Combat Medical Badge, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Purple Heart from his time in the service.

When the war was over, he returned to a solid support system.  He appreciates the camaraderie between the nearly 170 dedicated he served with and is grateful for the Air Force support that allowed him to travel safely into non-safe areas.

Wayne Dubay – US Army 1966-1968 Vietnam

At the age of 19, Wayne would be drafted into the Army.  He would head off alone to Fort Dix for infantry training, receiving a commendation as a Rifle Sharpshooter, and training as a light vehicle driver. Wayne would spend a year in Vietnam.  His service time would earn him the Vietnam Service Medal with three Bronze Service Stars, and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal.  

Today, Wayne has little memory of his service years, but has great pride in his service to the country and the connections he made while in the service.  He looks forward to visiting the memorial in Washington today, and spending time with his fellow service members.

Thomas Fredette = US Marines 1969-1971 Vietnam 

After high school, Thomas would attend Champlain College. Avoiding the draft, he enlisted in the Marine Corps.  Sent to Parris Island, Thomas would find himself doing a lot of pushups, and training as a Heavy Motor Vehicle Operator.  From Camp Pendleton, he would be sent to Camp Schwab in Okinawa.   His service would take him into the waters and land of Vietnam in a training capacity.  Much of his service was spent loading equipment and working in the motor pool.  Like other Marines, he had his time digging foxholes and guard duty. Thomas would be called back to active duty while in the Army Reserves during Desert Storm.  His unit would be sent to Germany with a mission to fill rail cars with missiles and other ammunitions.

His travels allowed him to meet and serve with people from across the globe.  Thomas appreciates the camaraderie and loyalty of those he served with.

James Hammaker Jr. – US Air Force 1972-1994 Vietnam, Desert Storm

Jim chose the Air Force for its quality of life, beginning with water survival training and specializing in inflight refueling. Over time, he advanced through leadership roles, serving as both an instructor and evaluator. His assignments took him to Loring, Griffiss, Castle, and Plattsburgh, while temporary duty missions carried him worldwide. He refueled over Vietnam, earned the Air Medal for service in Thailand, traveled to Tehran before the fall of the Shah, and worked as a structural crew member in Turkey and Iran. At Castle, Jim became a central flight instructor, training flight line crews. At Plattsburgh, he conducted evaluations, served as alert facility manager, and during Desert Storm was senior flight refueling superintendent. He oversaw nighttime refueling of F-111 aircraft over Baghdad, earning the Bronze Star and the Kuwait Liberation Medal.

In Jim’s 22 years of service, he received numerous commendations and decorations. He values his many years of service and commitment to his country.

James Hughes – US Air Force 1968-1972 Vietnam

Avoiding the draft lottery, Jim decided to enlist in the Air Force.  At Lowry AFB he would train as a Munition Maintenance Specialist, then continue training at Cannon AFB in New Mexico.  A 6-month TDY would take Jim to Okinawa, where he would work with real bombs, and also into Cambodia and Thailand. While assigned to the fuse shop, a passing 40-foot flatbed would end up in the ditch, as the driver was swatting at a bee.  The bomb came flying off the flatbed; it had not yet been activated, but it was still scary. 

While in Okinawa, a typhoon would come through.  The planes would all be safely removed from the base, but the water would rise to the 2nd floor.  They would have no plumbing, and only sea rations for meals. After the typhoon cleared, all the aluminum poles were bent over from the rushing water.  Jim would be discharged exactly 4 years to the day from the start of his service. 

Keith Lunn – US Air Force 1968-1972 Vietnam

Keith would remain at Lackland after basic, obtaining a top-secret security clearance. He would continue into a specialized department focused on advanced instruments. On leave, he married his wife, Carol. Excited about heading to a three-year assignment in Australia, they learned just before the wedding that this assignment had been canceled.

He would choose Greenland, hoping it would lead to a preferred reassignment. This offered a unique and memorable experience. While there, Neil Armstrong landed on the moon, and Keith’s detachment was responsible for monitoring communications to ensure the astronauts’ safety. He also had the chance to spend an evening with Hank Williams Jr. An equipment reassignment sent Keith to Lowry Air Force Base to serve as an instructor. Here he would discover a passion for teaching which he continued in civilian life. He still maintains a 55-year close friendship with a serviceman who shared a similar journey.

Kenneth Maurer Sr. – US Navy 1969-1973 Vietnam

Kenneth, in his youth, was rebellious.  Meeting with the Navy recruiter, they did not initially want him without a high school diploma. His lessons began with an unforgettable tough drill sergeant.  Assigned to the USS L.Y. Spear out of Norfolk, VA, he would spend his time laboring aboard ship.  He trained as a torpedo man, without assignment to this duty.  On the USS Diamond, they would perform exercises in the areas around Cuba and Haiti.

Kenneth would earn his GED while in the Navy, and later go on to earn an Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice.  Continuing into the National Guard, he would serve in the Military Police.  These experiences lead him to civilian opportunities, working for DOC as a weapons instructor. The military gave Kenneth the love of service to his country, God and family.  His military experiences would redirect him, and from experience, he knows that others can benefit from this path in life.

Mark Mercer – US Air Force 1967-1971 Vietnam

Mark would choose four years in the Air Force over the draft, realizing it offered more opportunities.  He trained as a passenger and household specialist and in freight logistics.  His first assignment would be at Plattsburgh AFB, where he would meet and marry his wife. Mark would be sent to Vietnam spending time in Saigon and Da Nang as noncombat troop support.  He would return stateside to Plattsburgh, followed by an assignment in Puerto Rico, where his daughter would be born.

After discharge at Charleston AFB, he moved to New Jersey with his family, living there for 15 years before returning to Plattsburgh. Mark is proud of his service, which made him mature quickly, instilled responsibility, and taught him respect.

Joseph Patyjewicz – US Army 1963-1966 Vietnam

Joseph, though not a U.S. citizen, grew up in the U.S. and completed three years of ROTC in high school.  His advanced infantry training would specialize in rifle, machine gun, and missile use. He also underwent jungle warfare training and two months of survival training in the Yukon with limited supplies to test their resilience. Expecting an assignment to Vietnam, Joseph would be sent to a military hospital in France, working in personnel records management. While there he would play basketball for both the United States and France national basketball teams. On what was supposed to be a Mission for the chaplain, Joseph and the assistant chaplain, would take a military ambulance for a weekend on the beach. Joseph would also have to think quickly to divert the attention of the MPs from a cigarette sale taking place with some of the French troops.

Joseph appreciates the diverse cultural experiences of his service and was fortunate that it included travel and many educational experiences.

Mark Rigsbee – US Air Force 1972-93 Cold War, Desert Storm

Mark’s interest in space led him to the Air Force, where his drive earned him his first stripe out of basic training. At Chanute Air Force Base, he joined the Yellow Rope program and trained in aircraft maintenance, quickly earning the nickname “Rocket” for his fast response. While serving as a tanker task force shift supervisor in Guam, a monsoon delayed his return from leave. In trying to get back, he made an unauthorized entry onto the flight line and was briefly detained, though the situation was resolved quickly. He didn’t have to spend the night in custody. His career and temporary duty assignments took Mark worldwide. During Desert Storm, he deployed to Saudi Arabia under missile threat, adding to his many meritorious decorations.

While stationed in Plattsburgh, Mark met and married his wife, Julie. With her support, he continued to excel, achieving his goal of becoming a Senior Master Sergeant in under 20 years. The Air Force instilled valuable life skills, and a sense of pride in serving his country.

Roy Soderberg – US Air Force 1968-1989 Vietnam

Roy’s drill instructor would laugh at him when he told him that in 20 years he would retire as a Master Sergeant. He would prove him wrong.  Sent to Denver, he would train in Aerospace Photographic Systems for electronic recon and a top security clearance. In his work he could see a license plate at 55,000 ft. Within 72 hours of exiting the military, Roy would meet up with someone in the hospital that would make his goal of flying a reality. A re-up would switch his field to Boom Operator and require survival training.Roy spent 5002 hours in the air as a Boom Operator, with 105 of those hours in combat.

Years later he would be grounded due to health issues, unable to continue flying, he would exit the military.  He would leave with a long list of decorations and commendations, which include the Air Medal and Vietnam Service Medal. With his security clearance, there are limits to Roy’s shared experiences, but he does have many stories, such as the Dining-Un, a napkin bow-tie event held at Plattsburgh. This formal occasion would thoroughly roast one of the alert service personnel.

Charles Sturdevant – US Air Force 1970-1992 Vietnam

Charles, with a draft number of 74 and membership in the Civil Air Patrol, selected the Air Force as his preferred military path. His successful basic training was due to his drill sergeant’s guidance and support. Despite hip issues that made running painful, he would be allowed to miss regular training runs if he passed his final run. After basic, Charles was sent to Tech school at Chanute AFB, where he received specialized training as a jet engine mechanic. Throughout his 22-year military career, he dedicated himself to repairing aircraft engines. His assignments would take him stateside to Pope, Griffiths, and Plattsburgh.  He would also receive assignments in Thailand and Turkey. While in Turkey, TDY missions would take him off base for recovery repairs.

Dennis Wells – US Air Force 1969-1972 Vietnam

Dennis would spend a year in the work force after high school before making the decision to enlist in the Air Force. Growing up in our Air Force community would influence his choice. Traveling to Albany with a buddy, only Dennis would make it through boot camp. Dennis completed his advanced training at Keesler Air Force Base in Mississippi, where he specialized in electronic surveillance. With a top-secret security clearance, he was assigned to Crete, Greece, where he would remain stationed for his remaining enlistment. TDY assignments would take him to Italy to learn new equipment and briefly to Ireland.

If not for his commitment to family, Dennis would have reenlisted. While he found his assignment interesting and enjoyed his time in the military, his obligation to his family ultimately required him to return to civilian life.