The Peru Gazette

Plattsburgh, NY, U.S. Oval, Veterans Park, August 31, 2024 – Honor Flight Operations Director Janet Duprey introduced each veteran to the many well-wishers at the 7 a.m. Send-Off Ceremony

Thomas Allen, U.S. Navy, 1963-1967  – Vietnam

Tom enlisted and had basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station.  Sent to Maryland, Tom trained as a Communication Radio Operator.  With 4500 men, Tom boarded the USS Independence CVA-62 aircraft carrier. Crossing the equator, the crew experienced a Navy tradition of initiation from pollywog to shellback.  They issued a card, and Tom kept it on him to avoid another initiation.  In Vietnam, they operated the Yankee and South Dixie Stations.  Tom traveled to Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, the Mediterranean, France, Italy, Malta, Sicily, Turkey, Beirut, and Lebanon.  For his service, Tom’s awards include the Navy Unit Commendation.

Robert Bomba, U.S. Air Force, 1961-1965 –                                                              Vietnam

After basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Bob went to Denver Air Force Base and trained as a Bombing and Navigation Systems Technician.  Bob spent 4 years at Pease Air Force Base. Bob worked on the ground with the navigation system to help the pilots get where they needed to go and to help the navigators release the weapons on target.

Bob enjoyed the beaches of New England, especially when they were full of women in bikinis.  On his way back from the beach, Bob learned President John F. Kennedy was assassinated.  They expected to be on alert, but that didn’t happen.

 

Richard Dabrowski, U.S. Army, 1973-1995 – Vietnam

Rick enlisted and received basic training at Fort Dix. At Fort Knox, Rick was a Special Assignment Trainer. After leaving Fort Knox, Rick started an extensive military career, being assigned to Alaska, Germany, Fort Carson, Korea, Fort Carson, and Fort Meade.

During an R&R trip, Rick and two buddies drove on the movie Lawrence of Arabia railroad beds, swam in the Red and Dead Seas and rode on camels.

Rick received several commendations for his 22 years of service to our country.  On October 26, Rick and Kathy will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary.

Bobby Enfinger, U.S. Air Force 1968-1988 – Vietnam

After basic training, Bobby was sent to Plattsburgh Air Force Base. Ordered to Vietnam, Bobby was assigned to the 12th Supply Squadron as a truck driver carrying aircraft parts and many essential supplies. After being run over by an inexperienced driver and fracturing his leg, Bobby kept working to avoid desk duty.

Trading a pallet of plywood for a case of steaks, the platoon enjoyed the steaks. Vietnam refugees from Saigon arrived as Bobby and their Unit reopened base housing, cleaned homes, and completed their mission. Bobby received several awards for his 20 years of service. Bobby and Donna are enjoying 54 years of marriage.

Jack Harrsch. U.S. Air Force, 1965-1986 – Vietnam

After completing basic training at Lackland Air Force Base, Jack trained as an aircraft structural repair technician at Amarillo Air Force Base. Jack reported to Plattsburgh Air Force Base.  Working on the runway, he was sent to a plane with no warning, no bags, and no time to call his wife. He flew to Okinawa. Twhn sent to Guam for typhoon support. Jack returned to Plattsburgh and then to Thailand.  On a day off, fishing on the pier, Jack spotted a two-year-old girl floating in the water.  Jack couldn’t swim but saved the girl and returned to fishing.  Jack received the Airman’s Medal for saving the girl’s life, adding to the many medals he received for his military service. 

Ricky Lecuyer, U.S. Navy, 1974-1977 – Vietnam

After finishing basic training at Great Lakes Naval Station, Ricky boarded the USS Bolster ARS-38-Salvage Ship, landing in Hawaii. Sent to Guam to salvage two tugboats and a floating drydock, a typhoon caused the loss of one tugboat. A British cargo ship, Lindenbank, got stuck on a coral reef, calling on the Bolster to rescue the British sailors as the ship was sinking.  Transferred to the USS Sperry AS-12, Ricky, a submarine tender, directed the Crane Crew to remove 40-foot-long periscopes to adjust and repair them using cranes to move 10-foot-long wrenches. 

Louis ‘Pete’ Lefort, U.S. Air Force, 1959-1979 – Vietnam

At Stead Air Force Base, Pete trained as a Fighter Pilot. Sent to Pease Air Force Base, Pete joined the 100th Bomb Wing as one of the last B-47 wings.    At Tinker Air Force Base, Pete joined the 141st Flying Squadron, putting in over 4,000 hours on the planes.  Sent to Guam, Pete was the senior controller in command of receiving Vietnamese refugees. Pete worked 7,000 hours total flight time on the C-141, C-5, C-118 and B-47.  In civilian time, Pete received his Airline Transport Pilot’s License. Louis received many commendations for his 20 years of service. 

Clifford Matott, U.S. Army, 1965-1991 – Desert Storm

Drafted, Cliff had basic training at Fort Dix and AIT at Fort Knox in Armor, M-45, and  M-60 tanks.  Joining the Vermont National Guard, Cliff changed his MOS to Redeye Missile training and studied Aircraft.  Transferred to the 962nd Ordinance Army Reserve Unit, Cliff was in charge of the Motor Pool.  Activated for Desert Storm, the Motor Pool transported ammo to Holland, assisting the Ammo Company in loading rail cars.  Cliff received many commendations for his 26 years of service. Cliff and Barb have been happily married for 58 years.

Roger Miner, U.S. Marine Corps, 1956-1980 – Vietnam

At Quantico, Communications Officer Roger Miner requested duty in Japan with the Naval Security Group’s top-secret coding.  Roger’s work used only code words; only commanding and executive officers knew the codes.  Roger’s electronic and radio communication unit listened to Soviet Union communications.  Top secret documents kept in the Officer’s Club were incinerated daily.  Roger was alerted to a glow in the wall and used a fire extinguisher. The Japanese Nationals and the commanding officer arrived, but it was too late. Twelve men lost their lives. Roger received several commendations for his 24 years of military service.

Gerald ‘Mike’ Rabideau, U.S. Army, 1970-1971 – Vietnam

Mike had basic training at Fort Dix.  Mike was ordered to Vietnam and had Fire Base Advanced Training with the 4th Infantry Division.  Mike was injured by a B-40 rocket as troops were clearing land for a compound. Mike enjoyed returning to the Fire Base as they got pizza, liquor and beer from Vietnam gypsys using 3-wheeled carts to deliver what the soldiers wanted.  Mike received a call his grandfather had passed.  He was airlifted to Cameron Bay to fly stateside.  After bereavement, Mike returned to Fort Campbell and was granted an early release.  Mike was offered a stripe to stay, and he refused.

Donald Richard, U.S. Navy, 1958-1968 – Cold War

Don enlisted and boarded the USS Henley Destroyer 762. Colorblind, Don couldn’t work on the bridge. A Boiler Tender in the fireroom, Don generated steam to run the ship. The Henley was part of the Bay of Pigs and Cuban Missile Crisis.  Don traveled to the Mediterranean, Bermuda, Spain, France, Italy, Monaco, Greece, Beirut, Egypt, Ethiopia, the Red Sea, Palestine, and Sicily.

The USS Henley was named after Captain Robert Henley, a U.S. Navy Officer in the War of 1812. In 2002, the Henley Ships Association held its first reunion at the Battle of Plattsburgh. After returning each year, Don and his group were Grand Marshals. 

Harold Ring, U.S. Army, 1963-1965 – Vietnam

Harry had basic training and Advanced Infantry Training at Fort Dix. At Fort Benning, Harry trained in Airborne Jump School.  Concern the communists would take over the Dominican Republic Government, Harry and his unit were there for almost three months. Harry enjoyed the excitement of jumping out of the airplanes and considered it a highlight of his military career. At Fort Bragg, Harry and his wife Barbara got an apartment off base to spend more time with their family. The worst part of Harry’s career was KP duty.

Michael Boutin, Veteran Guardian for Harry Ring, U.S. Air Force, 1975-1979 – Vietnam

Mike had basic training at Lackland Air Force Base and then completed Security Police Training.  Leaving Barksdale Air Force Base, Mike was stationed in Alaska until the completion of his service. Mike had served as a Color Guard, the toughest thing he ever did.  A recruiter asked Mike to go to Arlington, but he refused and said it was the biggest mistake of his career. Mike served 27 years in the Federal Prison System.

Herbert Savel, U.S. Air Force, 1960-1962 – Vietnam

After graduating from Medical School at 24, Doctor Herbert Savel enlisted in the Air Force. Herb had basic training at Gunther Air Force Base and transferred to Mitchell Air Force Base, Olmstead Air Force Base, and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. As planes approached a base with the landing gear not working, Herb was in an ambulance in case an emergency occurred. Dr. Savel served 25 years with the Albany VA and 50 years in the Elizabethtown hospital, never charging a veteran for service.  Herb is proud he served our country, and he just wanted to give something back.