VA Military Memories Competition
JOC Frith Arthur, U.S. Navy (1970-1991)
Where Was Your Favorite Place Visited, Either Through Deployment or R&R, From Your Time in the Service? Can You Recall Any Memories of This Place You Found Particularly Impressive or Enjoyable?:
December 2002 and my wife, JO1 Teresa Frith, is assigned to Naval Media Center Detachment Keflavik, Iceland. It was known as AFRTS Keflavik when I was stationed there from 1974-1976. I am now a dependent and retired journalist chief petty officer working at A.T. Mahan Elementary School. It s Christmas Eve. Teresa and I are on Armed Forces Radio-Keflavik in Studio-A doing our weekly two-hour oldies show, Yesterday Once More . The base C.O., Captain Dean Kiyohara, joins us with “Santa” (a.k.a. Command Master Chief James Newton) taking phone calls during the first hour.
SSG Ryan Victoria, U.S. Army (1973-1988)
Where Was Your Favorite Place Visited, Either Through Deployment or R&R, From Your Time in the Service? Can You Recall Any Memories of This Place You Found Particularly Impressive or Enjoyable?:
My son was a toddler when I received orders in early 1982 to relocate from Ft Belvoir, VA to a NATO assignment at the 650th Military Intelligence Group (aka Allied Command Europe – Counterintelligence) at Allied Forces Central Europe (AFCENT) in Brunssum, Netherlands. Arriving in March 1982, we were housed in a local hotel until we were able to secure “off-post” housing. There was no “on-post” housing; however, we would eventually be afforded government-leased housing once our name reached the top of the availability list. We met SGT Mike McDermott, his wife Lynne and young son, who had arrived in-country about a week prior. We became fast friends, and we are still in touch to this day.
SGT Kitts Steven, U.S. Army (1985-2009)
Where Was Your Favorite Place Visited, Either Through Deployment or R&R, From Your Time in the Service? Can You Recall Any Memories of This Place You Found Particularly Impressive or Enjoyable?:
Deployment to Iraq in 2004-2005 was a time filled with tension, danger, and unpredictability. As a member of the Tennessee National Guard, I found myself attached to a Military Police (MP) unit out of Maine. Our missions often took us along hazardous routes, transporting individuals we referred to as “People of Questionable Actions” (POQA) from our base, Camp Caldwell, to a holding facility in Baghdad. The road was always a risk, a constant game of cat and mouse with insurgents waiting for the right moment to strike. But amidst the tension, there were fleeting moments of unexpected relief.
SPC 3C Salvatore Lorio, U.S. Army (1954-1956)
Where Was Your Favorite Place Visited, Either Through Deployment or R&R, From Your Time in the Service? Can You Recall Any Memories of This Place You Found Particularly Impressive or Enjoyable?:
Looking back many years into my Army days, I recall my R&R memories, and what I found most particularly impressive and enjoyable was the City of Tokyo, Japan. Recalling my memory of my Army stint from 1954 to 1956, comes to mind when I received my orders and was shipped to North Camp Fuji, Japan. The highlight of my Japanese experience and the most memorable time was my R&R in Tokyo. It was a wonderful experience. Tokyo was a city still recovering from World War II, rebuilt from wooden shanties to modern buildings.
SSG James R. Laudermilk, U.S. Army (2004-2015)
Where Was Your Favorite Place Visited, Either Through Deployment or R&R, From Your Time in the Service? Can You Recall Any Memories of This Place You Found Particularly Impressive or Enjoyable?:
Back in 2004 2006, I was a Sergeant deployed near the northern border of Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Our base was rough, the mission serious but even in a warzone, God finds ways to remind you of His goodness. One day, we got the chance to visit a nearby orphan village. I ll be honest my first time off post, I was praying nonstop. My wife had mailed over a mountain of clothes, school supplies, and snacks for the kids. We packed it all up and headed out, not knowing what to expect.
Sgt Hank Picariello, U.S. Marine (1969-1970)
Where Was Your Favorite Place Visited, Either Through Deployment or R&R, From Your Time in the Service? Can You Recall Any Memories of This Place You Found Particularly Impressive or Enjoyable?:
I served as a Scout/Sniper with 2/26 and 1/7. Aside from our combat exploits, this patrol stands out as one of the most memorable and cherished. The Big Heist. There were several other significant intelligence patrols we conducted with 2/26 that resulted in enemy kills and captured equipment and food stores. However, not every patrol was meaningful because of combat action. One special moment occurred while heading out for a patrol that still required stealth, speed, athletic ability, cunning, and the ability to stay undetected.