Veterans Voice
On this page, we are preserving the stories and memories of military veterans.
This is a place for service members to share their experiences in the most vivid, intimate way -
In their own voices.
Victor Strickland, USS Enterprise, Vietnam
Click to downloadVictor Strickland served two tours in Vietnam, from 1970-1974. He recently reunited with his USS Enterprise brothers Gene Beaudoin (Vietnam 1971-1975) and Lawrence Prazak (Vietnam 1970-1973), 50 years after serving together.
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Larry Jackson, USAF
Click to downloadUSAF Veteran Larry Jackson, of Bandera, comes from a family of military heroes, including his best friend, who was killed in Vietnam. He was recently invited to speak during the Juneteenth Celebration, and recited an excerpt from the Emancipation Proclamation.
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Dayton Whitehead, WWII
Click to downloadIn honor of Flag Day, celebrated annually on June 14, Medina Community Matters: Faith and Freedom paid special tribute to World War II Veteran Dayton Whitehead. He was presented a U.S. Flag and Texas State Flag, as well as a pin in commemoration of Women's Veterans Day. Finding it difficult to speak of his time in the military, he prefers instead to pay homage to all of his veteran brothers and sisters.
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Gary L. Noller, Combat Infantryman
Click to downloadGary Noller served as a Combat Infantryman from 1970-71 for 19 months and one day. Today, with a sense of humor, he recalls rainy days without food in the mountains and jungles of Vietnam.
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SGT John Perkins, USMC
Click to downloadJohn Perkins joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1966, beating the draft papers he later received while in boot camp. Within six months, he was in Vietnam, stationed in Da Nang. He served until 1970.
Attached proudly to his hat are the Chaplain Service pin, for his gift of prayer while his unit was under heavy fire; the National Rifle Association pin; and the Marine Corps pin. |
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MSGT Luis Estela, USAF, Ret.
Click to downloadWhile he shuffled a copy of his DD214 and some other paperwork, Luis Estela regaled a few stories of his time in the service, beginning with when he enlisted in the U.S. Military 70 years ago, when he was 18 years old. A distinguished career followed for the 88-year-old veteran, who served during both the Korean and Vietnam Wars.
Some of his decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with One Device, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Four Devices, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Air Force Conduct Medal with Four Oak Leaf Clusters, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship ribbon, Armed Forces Expenditionary Medal, NCO Academy Graduate Ribbon, Army Good Conduct Medal with Three Devices, Combat Readiness Medal with one Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with Five Devices. Estela retired in April 1980, after serving 27 years and 21 days active duty. He remained in the reserves for another three years. |
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John Parker, USMC, Ret.
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