Bob Fellows' Story

A Life of Service, Brotherhood, and Giving Back

Bob Fellows was born and raised in Columbus, Ohio, where he grew up alongside his two sisters. From an early age, he developed a deep appreciation for family, hard work, and serving others—values that would guide him throughout his life. Today, Bob treasures his extended family, his fiancée Debbie, and the many friendships he has built over the years, especially those within the veteran community.

In June 1970, Bob answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Army. Following basic training, he attended Army Aviation Electrician School at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where he graduated as the honor graduate of his class. His dedication and technical skill quickly prepared him for one of the most challenging assignments of the Vietnam War.

In 1971, Bob deployed to Vietnam with the 223rd Combat Aviation Battalion, stationed at Dong Ha, just south of the North Vietnamese border. During his deployment, he supported Operation Lam Son 719, one of the largest helicopter operations of the war, providing critical air support to South Vietnamese forces. Enemy anti-aircraft fire was relentless, and many helicopters were lost during the operation.

Later that year, Bob was transferred to Marble Mountain Air Facility near Da Nang and assigned to the 478th Heavy Helicopter Company. There he worked on the massive CH-54 Skycrane helicopters, incredible aircraft designed to transport heavy equipment and artillery into some of the most difficult terrain in Vietnam. Keeping these helicopters mission-ready was a demanding responsibility, but one Bob proudly accepted, knowing countless lives depended on their success.

After returning home in 1972, Bob built a successful civilian career, first as an electrician and later in the banking industry, where he worked until retiring in 2013. Retirement, however, did not mean slowing down. Instead, it opened another chapter of service.

Bob volunteered at the Columbus VA Medical Center, helping fellow veterans navigate the challenges they faced after military service. He also became deeply involved with Veterans and Loved Ones Resources (VALOR), a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting veterans and raising awareness for veteran suicide prevention. Through monthly breakfasts, outreach programs, and annual memorial ceremonies honoring the 22 veterans lost to suicide each day, Bob continues to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Outside of his volunteer work, Bob has spent more than four decades as a competitive long-range shooter. He has coached and mentored dozens of new shooters, sharing his knowledge and helping many develop into accomplished competitors. For Bob, helping others improve and watching them succeed has always been one of life's greatest rewards.

Today, Bob continues another battle as he fights the effects of Agent Orange exposure while remembering friends who lost that same fight. Despite those challenges, his outlook remains one of gratitude, compassion, and service. He hopes to be remembered simply as a good friend, a good person, and someone who always tried to help whenever he could.

Veterans Bucket List Dreams is honored to recognize Bob Fellows for his dedicated military service, his lifelong commitment to helping fellow veterans, and the example he continues to set through selfless service and unwavering compassion.

Mike Alexander's Story

A Life of Courage, Service, and Sacrifice

Mike Alexander proudly served his country during the Vietnam War with Company B, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry from January 1968 through October 1969. Like so many who answered the call, his service took him into some of the most dangerous combat zones of the war.

Among the most difficult battles Mike faced were those in the infamous A Shau Valley, an area known for intense fighting and relentless enemy activity. It was there that he was wounded twice while serving as an infantryman. Despite his injuries, Mike remained with his unit, continuing to serve alongside the men he considered brothers.

Looking for a new challenge, Mike volunteered to become a helicopter door gunner, serving with the 228th Aviation Battalion and later the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion. What he thought would simply be a different assignment quickly proved even more dangerous, as he found himself under constant enemy fire. During this time, Mike was wounded once again.

His injuries required evacuation to the 106th General Hospital in Japan, followed by additional treatment and rehabilitation at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in the United States.

For many veterans, that might have marked the end of military service. For Mike, it was only the beginning.

After recovering, Mike was assigned to Fort Knox, where he had originally completed basic training. He chose to reenlist in the Army and continued serving his country for many more years.

His military career included:

• Four years in Hawaii as a Motorcycle Police Officer.
• Four years serving as an Army Recruiter, helping shape the next generation of Soldiers.
• A tour in South Korea as the Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of a G-2 Security Office.
• A final assignment at Fort Sheridan, serving as the liaison for Army recruiters before retiring from military service.

Throughout his career, Mike demonstrated resilience, courage, and an unwavering commitment to those around him. His service came at a tremendous personal cost. The photographs he cherishes from Vietnam are reminders not only of his own journey, but also of the close friends who stood beside him—two of whom never made it home.

Today, Mike's story serves as a powerful reminder of the sacrifices made by America's veterans. It is a story of perseverance through hardship, dedication to duty, and a lifetime of service that extends far beyond the battlefield.

We are honored to share Mike Alexander's story and thank him for his extraordinary service and sacrifice on behalf of our nation.

Chris MacVarish - Introduction & Overview

I was raised in the small farming town of Ellington, Connecticut. After graduating from high school, I worked alongside my father, who owned a roofing company. After a few years, I joined the United States Marine Corps in February 2005 and attended Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

I joined the Marines because I knew I had more to give and wanted to serve the country that I sincerely love. My first duty station was with 3rd Battalion, 12th Marines in Okinawa, Japan. While there, I was selected to serve on a 21-man Embedded Training Team responsible for training, mentoring, and advising the Afghan National Army.

I deployed to Afghanistan in 2007-2008. During the second week of that deployment, our fighting position was struck by a rocket-propelled grenade (RPG), and I was injured in the blast. I ignored my injuries and remained deployed for the remaining nine months of the mission.

After returning stateside, I married my high school sweetheart, Ashley. In 2008, I transferred to Camp Pendleton and deployed once again to Afghanistan with Sierra Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines, where we operated HIMARS in support of combat operations throughout Helmand Province.

Upon returning home, I received orders to Drill Instructor School in San Diego. During that tour, I served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Chief Drill Instructor. I later transferred to Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines and deployed to Iraq in 2015, supporting operations to eliminate the ISIS stronghold in Mosul.

Following that deployment, I was assigned to Navy Officer Candidate School (OCS) in Newport, Rhode Island, where I completed another successful tour as a Drill Instructor and Chief Drill Instructor. I was then promoted to First Sergeant (1stSgt) and received orders to establish a new Marine Corps Reserve unit in Northern California.

It was during this assignment that the effects of my traumatic brain injury (TBI) and combat-related mental health challenges became overwhelming. I spent 30 days receiving inpatient treatment at Laurel Ridge Treatment Center in San Antonio, Texas. Shortly afterward, I was assigned to the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Pendleton, where I spent nearly two years receiving specialized treatment through the TBI Clinic and intensive mental health counseling.

After 18 years of service, I was medically retired from the United States Marine Corps. My wife and I returned to our hometown of Ellington, where she now teaches. Together we are raising our two sons, Hunter and Harper.

Chris's Story

I grew up in the small town of Ellington, Connecticut, where there were more cows than people. My father owned a roofing company, and my mother worked for the United States Postal Service.

In February 2005, I joined the Marine Corps as an artilleryman. In July 2007, I deployed to northern Afghanistan as part of a 23-man Embedded Training Team supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. Our mission was to train, mentor, and advise the Afghan National Army.

On July 27, 2007, after conducting a key leader engagement with a local village, our team was ambushed. The position we took cover in was struck by an RPG, injuring many of us. At the time, very little was understood about the long-term effects of traumatic brain injuries, and despite my injuries, I remained with my Afghan counterparts and continued the mission. That attack occurred during the first week of what became a nine-month deployment.

In 2010, I deployed again to Afghanistan, this time with Sierra Battery, 5th Battalion, 11th Marines, operating the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) in support of combat operations.

After returning home, I became a Marine Corps Drill Instructor in San Diego. Upon completing that assignment in 2014, I transferred to Echo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines. During a deployment with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), we were sent to Makhmur, Iraq, where we provided artillery support during operations to drive ISIS out of Mosul.

In 2016, I received orders to Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, where I served once again as a Drill Instructor—this time training future Marine Corps officers. After a successful tour and promotion to First Sergeant, I was assigned to Concord, California, to help establish a new Marine Corps Reserve command supporting advisor missions.

It was during this assignment that the experiences from my 2007-2008 deployment finally caught up with me. I struggled with PTSD, anxiety, depression, and the lingering effects of my traumatic brain injury. I spent 30 days receiving inpatient treatment at Laurel Ridge in San Antonio, Texas. While it helped tremendously, it was only the beginning of my recovery.

I was then transferred to the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Pendleton, where I spent the final year and a half of my Marine Corps career undergoing treatment through the TBI Clinic and extensive mental health counseling. That experience ultimately saved both my marriage and my life.

I medically retired from the Marine Corps as a First Sergeant after nearly 18 years of honorable service.

Today, my wife Ashley and I have returned to the same hometown where we both grew up. We are raising our two sons, Hunter and Harper, along with our overweight chocolate Labrador, who has been part of our family since 2012.

I currently work as an inspector overseeing crews that install underground fiber optic infrastructure for Frontier Communications.

I discovered golf while assigned to the Wounded Warrior Battalion, and it quickly became my greatest passion. More recently, I rediscovered my love for hunting. My father introduced my brother and me to hunting when we were young, and after returning to the woods last year, I was completely hooked. It has once again become one of my greatest passions.

Respectfully,
Chris MacVarish

I was born on May 2, 1986, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, and grew up in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

My family is relatively small. I have three younger brothers. Military service runs in my family and includes my great-grandfather, who served in the Army Air Corps, my oldest brother, who served in both the Marine Corps and later the Army, and myself, having served in the United States Marine Corps.

I deployed to Iraq from February through September 2007. On June 25, 2007, while on a mounted patrol, the vehicle I was driving was struck by an improvised explosive device (IED). I later learned the explosion was equivalent to approximately 35 pounds of TNT. As a result of the blast, I suffered a traumatic brain injury and cuts to my hands and was awarded the Purple Heart.

After returning from deployment, I completed my enlistment and was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in September 2010.

I attended Kempsville High School for most of my high school years but ultimately graduated from night school in January 2006. I did not attend college, but I completed training at Universal Technical Institute.

While attending trade school, I was involved in a serious car accident that left me with nearly 20 broken bones, including nine vertebrae in my neck and back.

Becoming a Marine was a dream I had from a young age. After the events of September 11, 2001, I knew without question that it was the path I wanted to follow. I joined the Delayed Entry Program and left for Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island in February 2006.

The years I spent in the Marine Corps were some of the best of my life. They challenged me, shaped my character, and helped mold me into the man I am today.

I am currently in my second marriage and am married to my best friend, Jessica. I am also the proud stepfather to two children. During my first marriage, my ex-wife gave birth to twins, Abigail and Haydn. Due to severe complications, they were born extremely premature, and tragically, neither survived.

I am medically retired. In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and family, going to the gym, gaming, and hunting whenever the seasons are open.

John Lyle Baber

Introduction from Bruce Banning, Veterans Bucket List Dreams Founder

I want to preface John Baber's story with a few words.

I, like John, am a Charter Member of VVA Chapter 142. I was fortunate to have known this fine man for many years prior to his passing.

There is living life, then there is living life the right way. When it seems like everything in modern America is upside down, there are still men and women who quietly go about living life the right way. One of the things I have learned is that there is only one way to live—it is dictated by nature. There are people who follow nature's dictates and live good and honorable lives, and there are those who do not.

John and Ladona lived life right.

I was proud to serve under John in Chapter 142. Our Chapter decided to build the Monroe County Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Heck Park in Monroe, Michigan. The memorial site is truly something to see.

I accepted the assignment to lead the project. It was quite an adventure to say the least—from the rejection of the project by the anti-war people at the local newspaper, to the politics within the Veterans community, to those who wanted to grandstand, and to those who simply felt the need to attack anyone who is working for good. It was a nightmare.

As Chairman of the project, I paid a tremendous price because my career in county government was destroyed. I would have been doomed to a position of nothingness because I dared to offend certain people.

Throughout the entire project, regardless of what was thrown at me, I knew one thing—I knew John had my back. He was Chapter President at the time. John trusted me to make the right decisions, and he supported what I did.

I hold tremendous respect for John—a true leader of men.

One of the high points of my life was standing shoulder to shoulder with him on the stage at the dedication of the Memorial. We had done it. I was thrilled to be standing with such a fine man.

Be sure to make a trip to the memorial site. It is by far one of the finest Vietnam Memorial sites in the country.

As Veterans Bucket List Dreams Founder, I am pleased to share with you and preserve for future generations the story of a man who did life right.

---

JOHN LYLE BABER

John was born in Toledo on December 8, 1949. He grew up in Toledo until the age of 12 when his family moved to Petersburg. John had three brothers, Jim, Jeff, and Brian, along with one stepbrother, Jerry, and one stepsister, Diane. He attended Summerfield Schools, where he graduated in 1969.

John met me, Ladona Johnson, in January of 1968. We were married in August of 1969. We had two children, Randy, born in June 1970, and Jennifer, born in July 1972.

John was drafted into the Army on November 7, 1969, and completed Basic Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. He then attended Advanced Individual Training at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, where he trained in heavy artillery.

John deployed to Vietnam on April 14, 1970. He served with the 7/8th Artillery, 2nd Field Force. While there, he was sent to Cambodia. He was there for two weeks before the President informed the nation that troops would be entering Cambodia.

John served in Vietnam for 14 months and returned home on June 14, 1971.

Shortly after John left for Vietnam, our son Randy was born. John saw Randy for the first time just ten days before his first birthday.

John was a Charter Member of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 142. Over the years, he served in many different positions including President, Vice President, Secretary, Board Member, and Newsletter Editor.

He was very proud to be part of the Chapter and truly enjoyed spending time with his fellow veterans.

One story he did not talk about much involved his time in Cambodia. After a village had been bombed, there was a little girl, approximately five or six years old, who came up to the soldiers and helped them. I cannot remember exactly what she did, but the next time they saw her, she was among the victims. John had to help bury her. That experience stayed with him and troubled him for a long time.

John worked for General Motors at the Willow Run plant in Michigan for 22 years until the facility closed. He completed the remainder of his GM career at GM Powertrain in Toledo and retired on June 1, 2001.

John enjoyed driving semi-trucks. Whenever he was laid off from GM, and again after retirement, he drove for local farmers and friends from Petersburg who operated small trucking companies.

He loved spending time with his children and grandchildren. Whenever he knew they were coming over, he made sure we had each grandchild's favorite candy waiting for them.

John and I were married for more than 48 years when he passed away on January 25, 2018.

We loved traveling and camping together. Some of the places we visited included Florida many times, the Grand Canyon, New Mexico, Hawaii, Texas, Missouri, Mississippi, Niagara Falls in Canada, Washington, D.C., Virginia, South Dakota, and Pennsylvania.

We shared many wonderful adventures and a lifetime of happy memories.

*Submitted by Donna Baber*

Steven Rindahl: A Life of Service, Faith, and Healing

Steven Rindahl grew up with his parents and brother in Illinois, while also spending long stretches of time with extended family in North Dakota and Montana. It was there that he developed a deep love for the outdoors and dreamed of grand hunting adventures. Always looking for the next challenge, Steve joined the Army at just 17 years old with the goal of becoming a paratrooper and serving in combat.

Only a few months after enlisting, Steve was serving within the U.S. Army Special Forces community and jumping out of airplanes. During his early years in the Army, he completed numerous military schools, including the Basic Airborne Course, Parachute Rigger Course, Jumpmaster Course, Rough Terrain Parachutist Course, and Air Assault Course. Although eager to serve in combat, it would be more than two decades before that opportunity arrived.

Military service runs deep in Steve's family. His father served in the Army during the period between the Korean and Vietnam Wars, and his family lineage includes veterans who fought in both the American Revolution and the Civil War.

Believing he had left formal education behind when he enlisted, Steve was later encouraged by his Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) to attend college. Once he began taking classes and was able to choose subjects that interested him, he discovered a genuine love for learning. Long before online education became commonplace, Steve attended classes at or near every duty station where he served. His dedication eventually led to earning a degree in History shortly before his promotion to Sergeant First Class.

As his military career progressed, Steve sensed a call to ministry. He transferred to the Army Reserve to attend seminary and complete the ordination process before returning to active duty as an Army chaplain.

As a chaplain, Steve deployed to Iraq with the 1st Cavalry Division from October 2006 through January 2008. Following that deployment, he served with the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and later as a Curriculum Developer and Instructor at the Army Medical Center and School at Fort Sam Houston. After a distinguished military career spanning decades, he retired from active duty service.

Steve is married to a schoolteacher who teaches fifth- and sixth-grade mathematics. Together, they raised two children who have gone on to successful careers of their own—one as a librarian and the other as an occupational therapist.

Retirement did not mark the end of Steve's service. Instead, it became the beginning of a new mission. He founded Warriors on the Way, a veteran-focused 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping combat veterans heal from PTSD and Moral Injury. As Founder and Director, Steve leads a team of professionals who guide veterans on healing pilgrimages along the Camino de Santiago in Spain, the third-oldest Christian pilgrimage route in the world after the Holy Land and Rome.

Today, Steve continues to pursue his passions for reading and hiking. After more than forty years away from the sport, hunting has also returned to his list of favorite activities. Whether serving his country, his faith, or fellow veterans, Steve's life has been marked by a commitment to adventure, learning, leadership, and helping others find healing and purpose.

A Lifetime of Service

I was born in Oceanside, New York, on Long Island, and I was raised there and throughout the United States because my father was in the Army. Growing up, it was my mom, dad, and my two brothers. Besides my father, two of my uncles served in Vietnam, and one served in World War II.

My family moved to Oklahoma City, where I finished high school in 1995. I joined the Army right after high school, and my first duty station was in Korea with the 2nd Infantry Division. I joined because my father, my uncles, and my grandfather served, and I also wanted a change and wanted to travel, so I enlisted. I ended up doing a full twenty years—it flew by.

Combat Service and Sacrifice

During my time in uniform, I deployed to Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. I was wounded in Iraq on November 21, 2003, by an anti-tank landmine. It exploded beneath the seat of the truck I was riding in. As a result of the injuries I sustained that day, I was awarded the Purple Heart.

Both in Iraq and Afghanistan, we lost people, and I knew many of them personally. The losses that affected me the most were the soldiers I had spoken with before they went out on a mission and who never came back. Those moments stay with you forever.

Reflections on Service

I am proud of my service to our country, but I am also torn because of the way we were pulled out and left. The countries are no better today; if anything, they are a little worse than when we got there. Despite those feelings, I remain proud of having served alongside so many dedicated men and women throughout my career.

Life After the Army

I retired from the Army in 2016 after twenty years of service. Today, I live with my wife and our two Labrador Retrievers. We have three grown children and two grandchildren who live in Oklahoma, and spending time with family has become one of the greatest blessings of life after military service.

Hi, my name is Nathan Handrich. I’m 27 years old and from a small town in Northern Michigan. I am the oldest of three siblings, with two younger sisters. I graduated from Fairview Area Schools in 2017.

I don’t come from a military family, but serving has always been something I wanted to do since I was a kid. At 17, I went to MEPS and committed to joining the United States Marine Corps after graduation. I wanted to be part of the toughest branch there was—and for me, that meant becoming a Marine.

I enlisted in August 2017 and served until July 2021, completing four years as an Infantry Marine.

In my opinion, every man should experience military service. It was eye-opening and gave me a deep appreciation for how fortunate we are to live in the United States. Beyond that, the people you meet become lifelong brothers. During my service, I formed bonds with men I would do anything for. I also lost a few along the way to accidents and other circumstances—something you never forget. You carry their memory with you forever.

If I were asked whether I would do it all over again, my answer would be 100% yes—every single time.

While serving, I married my wife in 2020. We welcomed our first son in 2023 and our second son in 2025. Today, I work in construction alongside a fellow Marine Corps veteran.

In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family, hunting, and fishing. I’ve also started doing taxidermy, which has become a passion of mine.

Vito Palazzolo served in the United States Marine Corps from 2007 to 2011. He was stationed at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. He completed a deployment to Afghanistan. His military occupational specialty was 1142, Generator Mechanic. In addition to his primary duties, he was qualified as a 7-ton truck and HMMWV driver and was certified to handle hazardous materials and explosives.

My name is Christopher, or Chris, Lilienthal. I grew up in the small town of Manchester, Michigan, and graduated from Manchester High School in 2006. I am the second of three children. Military service was in my blood from a young age. My grandfather served in the Marine Corps during World War II, and his father and uncles had served in previous wars. Growing up, almost every Halloween I dressed up as either a soldier or a hunter.

During my senior year of high school, I remember standing in my living room, looking out the window and wondering what I was going to do with my life. I ended up calling the most recent recruiter I had spoken with. I joined the U.S. Army Reserves in December of 2005 as a construction equipment operator. I was told that if I wanted to switch to active duty, it would be pretty simple, and if I didn’t like the Army, I could just do one weekend a month and two weeks a year and then get out.

I shipped to Fort Leonard Wood for basic training and AIT in July 2006 after graduating high school. At Fort Leonard Wood, I trained as a 21E, a heavy construction equipment operator. Upon graduation, I was transferred to a reserve unit in Southfield, Michigan. I spent several years there and later changed my MOS to 12K, plumber/pipefitter.

In 2009, I was transferred to the 808th Engineer Company out of Houston, Texas, for mobilization and deployment to Iraq. I was a 21-year-old specialist. During that deployment, we ran convoys and helped build infrastructure. On one mission, we trained Iraqi police on how to erect tents. After returning home in 2010, I was transferred back to my Michigan unit.

In 2014, I was again involuntarily transferred, this time to the 304th Engineer Company out of Ohio, for mobilization and deployment. On this deployment, I served as an E5 team leader. We began in Kuwait as theater engineer reserve and were later forward deployed to Afghanistan, where we helped tear down bases and prepare for the anticipated pullout. About two months before returning home, there was discussion of extending us and sending us to Iraq to assist in the fight against ISIS. Ultimately, a fresh unit was sent instead due to the logistical challenges of moving personnel and equipment from Afghanistan to Iraq. We returned home in February of 2015.

In 2017, I was mobilized again and transferred to a unit out of Missouri, the 279th Engineer Utilities Detachment. I served as an E5 squad leader. This deployment took us back to Iraq in support of operations against ISIS. My squad moved around to various bases, assisting other squads due to my experience in construction. We spent the longest period in Baghdad at a base supporting special operations. There, we built an office building, bathrooms, decks, and a memorial plaque honoring fallen service members. We returned home in 2018.

In 2019, I was promoted to Staff Sergeant (E6) and assigned as a squad leader. My parent unit, the 486th Engineer Vertical Construction Company, was activated and mobilized. We reported to active duty just one year and seven days after I returned from my third deployment. We deployed to Kuwait as theater engineer reserve. After about a month, half a platoon was sent to Afghanistan, and I was selected due to my prior deployment and civilian construction experience.

My squad, along with another squad and our platoon sergeant, deployed to a coalition base where Americans were the minority. Once again, I worked with special operations, building a housing complex, while the other squad worked for the base command. This deployment was unique because it occurred when COVID first emerged. Afghanistan was hit early, and about three-quarters of the base became ill with respiratory issues. Initially, we thought it was caused by the heavy winter smoke over Kabul, but once testing began, many of us tested positive for COVID. My project site became a quarantine area, and we were tasked with building a temporary morgue due to fears about COVID’s severity. We returned home in July 2020 to a very different world and were quarantined in Texas for two weeks before being allowed to return home.

In 2024, I was mobilized for the fifth time and sent back to Iraq, this time as an E7 platoon sergeant. I had an outstanding platoon of men and women. During this deployment, one of my squads was sent to Syria, and I traveled there for a couple of weeks to deliver mail, tools, and supplies. This deployment was especially meaningful because my younger brother was deployed at the same time. Before leaving Kuwait for Iraq, I was able to spend time with him, take photos, and send them to our family.

I later left Iraq with most of my platoon in December 2024 to return to Kuwait and prepare equipment for shipment home. I was able to spend Christmas with my brother, which meant a great deal to both of us. Before he joined the military, we joked about trying to deploy together, and it just happened that his active-duty unit deployed during the same timeframe. He arrived in Kuwait two weeks before I did and left the day after I departed.

Between deployments, I attended college and earned an associate degree. I began working toward a bachelor’s degree, but life and work got in the way. I am currently still in the reserves and have reached 20 years of service, and I am considering retirement. What holds me back is my love for teaching and mentoring new soldiers and non-commissioned officers. My girlfriend likes to say I will never get out, and in a way, I think she may be right.

I love the camaraderie of the Army, and after so many deployments, nearly every engineer unit within a 200-mile radius of my home has people I have deployed with. In my spare time, I am an avid outdoorsman. I enjoy hunting, kayaking, and scuba diving. I love spending time with my dogs and riding my motorcycle.

I am proud of my service, and I jokingly tell people that joining the Army was the worst decision I ever made. You can’t beat the people, but the things you see and experience will change you.

My name is James Dienes, and I am a veteran of the United States Navy. I served from June 1998 to November 2006.

I joined the Navy through the Delayed Entry Program (DEP) while in high school, and after graduation I entered the Advanced Electronics Computer Field (AECF) as an Electronics Technician. I was stationed aboard the Aegis cruiser USS Normandy (CG-60), based out of Norfolk, Virginia. My tour aboard ship was four years, during which I had the opportunity to experience much of the world.

I successfully completed two deployments to the Mediterranean Sea and visited many different ports along the way. My primary responsibilities aboard ship were monitoring and maintaining all communications equipment as well as radar and navigational systems. I also worked closely with Interior Communications (IC) personnel, assisting with phone systems, gyros, televisions, the audio/video shop, and setting up all public address systems. We managed all movies played while at sea and conducted funerals at sea as well.

In addition, I maintained and repaired the ship’s LAN cable system, photocopiers, GPS units, and various other computer systems. I advanced to the rank of ET2 (SW) and earned my Surface Warfare pin.

After completing my sea tour, I was stationed at Brunswick Naval Air Station in Brunswick, Maine, where I served another four years working on an airfield performing many of the same technical duties as I had aboard ship. I also extended my service an additional six months to help my division during a period of personnel transitions, assisting with training new members as they arrived.

After completing my military service, I have continued to serve my community, state, and nation as a civilian federal employee. I am also an active member of the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

My name is Nathan Norlock, and I proudly served in the United States Navy for 10 ½ years.

While stationed at NAS Lemoore, California, I completed two WESTPAC deployments. My first cruise was aboard the CV-64 USS Constellation, which was an amazing experience, especially being only 20 years old at the time. I got to see a lot of the world and enjoy life along the way.

My second cruise was aboard the CVN-70 USS Carl Vinson. It was a good cruise, but this time I had a baby boy and a wife waiting for me at home. Six months at sea turned into eight months, and those extra two months felt like a very long time.

After Lemoore, I was stationed at NAS Sigonella for 2 ½ years. Of all the places I traveled around the world, Sicily was the most amazing. The food, the people, and the wine were incredible. I made some amazing friends there—people I still call my brothers and sisters to this day.

My journey then took me to NAS Jacksonville (NAS Jax), Florida, where I spent the remainder of my Navy career before separating from service.

I have now worked for the FAA for the past 15 years. I served my country in the Navy and continue to serve by supporting the flying public.

My name is Matthew Black. I retired from the Michigan Air National Guard in February 2026 after serving 20 years.

I began my career in Vehicle and Equipment Maintenance in 2006 as an Airman, then moved in 2008 to Electrical Power Production, where I served until my retirement as a Master Sergeant.

I deployed overseas to Afghanistan for Operation Enduring Freedom and to Kuwait for Operation Freedom Sentinel. I was assigned to the 127th Civil Engineering Squadron out of Selfridge Air National Guard Base.

My awards include the Army Commendation Medal and the Air and Space Achievement Medal.

I worked full time as an Air National Guard Technician and, in 2019, transitioned to a position with the Federal Aviation Administration.

Some of my hobbies include spending time with my wife and dog, hunting, and working on my old car.

Born in Tecumseh, Michigan, and raised in nearby Onsted, I grew up as one of five siblings, with one brother and three sisters. I graduated from Onsted High School in 1992 and enlisted in the United States Air Force that same year. After completing HVAC/R technical training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, I received my first duty assignment to Misawa Air Base in Japan.

I spent three years in Misawa, where I re-enlisted for an additional six years. During that time, I learned to ski and took full advantage of every opportunity to travel, exploring Japan, the Philippines, and Korea. Living overseas sparked a deep appreciation for different cultures and laid the foundation for a lifelong love of adventure.

My second assignment took me to Aviano Air Base in Italy. Before heading overseas, I returned home on a 30-day leave and met the woman who would later become my wife. While stationed in Italy, I continued skiing and joined my squadron’s downhill ski team. I traveled extensively throughout Europe, visiting France, Germany, Poland, Slovenia, and Austria, and even went on a wildlife safari in Kenya—an experience I will never forget.

My third and final assignment brought me to Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Before reporting for duty, I returned home to get married. Idaho quickly became one of my favorite places. I continued skiing and rediscovered my passion for hunting, harvesting both a mule deer doe and buck—though the elk always seemed just out of reach. My wife and I enjoyed our time there so much that we seriously considered making Idaho our permanent home.

Near the end of my service, I deployed to Saudi Arabia for six months and later spent time in Kuwait. In 2000, we welcomed our first child, and in 2001, after nearly a decade of service, I separated from the Air Force.

Today, I have been married for 27 years and am the proud father of three boys. Two have graduated from Onsted High School, and our youngest has just begun his freshman year. Looking back, I am grateful for the experiences, the places I’ve been, and the people I’ve met along the way—memories that have shaped both my life and my family.

Steve is a Michigan native who graduated in 1986 from Belleville High School in Belleville, Michigan. After graduating high school, Steve followed in his older brothers’ footsteps by joining the United States Marine Corps.

Steve was assigned to squadron VMFA-235 “Death Angels” as a hydraulics technician on the F/A-18 Hornet, stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.

After Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait in August of 1990, Steve’s squadron was deployed to Shaikh Isa Air Base, Bahrain, in support of Operation Desert Shield. Once Desert Shield transitioned to Desert Storm, VMFA-235 shifted to offensive roles, flying more than 800 sorties from Shaikh Isa and expending over two million pounds of ordnance in strikes against Iraqi command facilities, airfields, and defenses, as well as providing close air support and suppression of enemy air defenses for the I Marine Expeditionary Force.

Half of the squadron’s F/A-18 sorties were allocated to the Joint Force Air Component Commander, contributing to the broader 3d Marine Air Wing effort of more than 18,000 fixed-wing sorties. Specific actions included escorting A-6 Intruders armed with AGM-88 HARM missiles and conducting a pre-offensive show-of-force mission along the Kuwaiti border. No aircraft or personnel losses were recorded for VMFA-235 during the campaign.

Steve transitioned from military life in the Marine Corps in 1991 to an accomplished 32-year career in federal law enforcement. The majority of that time was spent serving as a Special Agent with the Department of Health and Human Services, investigating Medicare fraud, and later with the Department of Homeland Security, Office of Inspector General.

Steve married one of his high school sweethearts, Iris, and they have two sons, Steven and Matthew. Steven followed in his father’s footsteps and served in the United States Marine Corps for five years and is now pursuing a career in civil aviation. Matthew has recently started a position as a Special Agent with the Department of Homeland Security.

Steve is now retired (maybe), and enjoys spending time with his family—especially his granddaughter, Viviana. He stays active by playing lots of golf, doing Pilates with his wife, teaching firearms skills with 2 Vets Development Group (https://2vdg.org), and skydiving at Skydive Tecumseh. If he’s not on the golf course, look to the sky.

Ozzie is a U.S. Navy veteran and lives in Battle Creek, Michigan. He spends much of his time volunteering with Disabled Veterans of America and Vets Helping Vets. He is 100% disabled due to Agent Orange exposure.

During most of his active-duty service, he was assigned to Naval Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ-1). He served with this unit from January 5, 1966, to August 20, 1968, and later transferred to the Electronic Warfare Department of VQ-1.

The primary mission of VQ-1 was to provide tactical fleet electronic intelligence support for Commander, Seventh Fleet (COMSEVENTHFLT) in Southeast Asia. This mission included identifying threats from surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and MiG sites.

Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One personnel provided direct support to military ground and air combat command operations in Southeast Asia.

Ozzie states, “I am honored to say that I supported my fellow servicemen and women during the Vietnam War.” As noted above, he has continued throughout his life to lend that same support.