I have for some time now seen the need to educate as many as possible to what serving our country and being a veteran actually means.I've seen this through the lack of knowledge I have seen in some,and through my own lack of knowledge.
In this day and age where wars are televised with awesome graphics,high tech weaponry shown through an aircrafts video camera,our children can easily relate what they see on the evening news to what they see on their video game machines.It is easy for them to forget that in real life there isnt just one person competing against a computer for the "high score",but that real lives are on the line.
The high tech weaponry we use today does help minimize the need for ground troops today,but in the past it was different.We and our children must not forget that for every moment we live as free citizens in this great country ,there was a person killed,wounded,captured and tortured,while fighting to give us that freedom.
I served 4 years in the U.S.Navy stationed at Naval Air Station North Island.I was attached to VS 41,a fleet replacement unit used to train pilots,flight crew and maintenance personnel on the S-3A Viking before they entered Fleet service.I was an AE and worked on/trained personel on the electrical systems of the S-3A Viking,anti-submarine warfare aircraft.(now called S-3B).
I spent most of my time on shore,but did have the chance to go to sea a few times (when the pilots/crew would go through carrier qualifications)I spent time on The U.S.S.Enterprise and the U.S.S.John F.Kennedy.Though I served in peace time there was still the cold war.I feel proud that I helped train the sailors and pilots that later would go to the fleet and put their knowledge to work keeping those Communist Submarines in check.
My Squadrons Logo-----I served with VS-41
1982-1985
S-3 on the "CAT"
S-3 in flight
If you or anyone you know has served in VS-41 from 1982-1985,please contact me at the e-mail address below.
