Thank you Veterans

On this Veterans Day I'm thinking of all the soldiers and airmen in this city who have deployed and served our country - some for a year or less, others for 20 years or more.

I'm thinking of my days in the Women's Army Corps and how that experience changed my life. I became more patriotic and found a focus. Prior to my service I had been a teacher, a secretary and a clerk in the Vital Statistics Bureau for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Army trained me to be a journalist, and there I found my passion. My years in Army Public Affairs have been very gratifying and I've had the opportunity to meet and work with some of the most admirable people in the world. I love talking with young soldiers and telling their stories. I don't write nearly as much as I used or as I'd like. Sometimes, I feel a bit rusty when I sit at the computer to write an article or commentary, since much of my time now is taken up with meetings and administrative requirements. Suffice it to say the Army has provided me a tremendous a good career and a tremendous sense of pride in our armed forces and our country.


I'm also thinking of other veterans.

A number of my ancestors served in the Armed Forces. One of my grandfathers several greats back was a fifer in the Revolutionary War. He joined the Army at 14 and left at 21.

Two great-great grandfathers served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Records state that one was shot in the wrist. The two men were from the same hometown and were in the same unit for a while.

My grandfather, served in the Army in WWI. He was a reconaissance soldier. He would go out ahead of his unit and map the terrain. When we started to study WWI in history in grade school, my grandmother and parents told us not to ask my grandfather about the war - he would not discuss it with anyone. He was in France - it had to have been horrible. After the war, he stayed on in France for a year or so studying art courtesy of a special opportunity provided by the U.S. government.



Cleve Hoffman, 314th Infantry, Co. C, France

 

 

 

 My dad, his brother and their brother-in-law all served in the Navy. I'm not certain of the dates my two uncles served, but my dad told me he enlisted at the end of WWII and he did not see any serious action. He was a sonar technician on a sub and served on several ships, including a Canadian hospital ship, Letitia.

 

From the top - Raymond Willow, Paul Hoffman (my dad) and Neil Hoffman

 

 

 

My dad, Paul Hoffman

 

Letitia

 



 



 

My mother's brother, Paul (Izzy) Grubb, served in the Army in Korea when I was a young child. I believe it may have been during the Korean War, but still need to confirm that. I can remember seeing him in his uniform and the entire family so happy to see him. I don't know if he was home on leave or about to be mustered out, but the family's happiness has stayed with me for many years.

My older (by just a few years) cousin served in the Navy, I believe in the Mediterrean Sea area while I was still in high school.

I will go to the Veterans Day ceremony Sunday. There are very few WWII vets in Fairbanks, but I love watching them stand to be recognized. Regardless of the conflict, all those who stand demonstrate pride in their service.

So on this Veterans Day, I salute you all - those veterans from my family who helped shape me; those who served before I was born and before I started school; my peers, who were sent to Vietnam and those who have most recently returned from Iraq and Afghanistan as well as those who served during peacetime. Thank you all for your service.