Veterans Month
November 2003
NS Veterans Remember
Sam Chalton
District Claim Agent
Atlanta
I joined the US Air Force, because I thought it might be a bit safer than in one of the other armed forces. Boy, was I surprised.
I served from 1968 until 1972. My Vietnam tour was from 1969 to 1970. At the time I was married with one child. When I was stationed at Tuy Hoa, South Vietnam, I was a machine gunner in a bunker. The M-60 machine gun, I believe, was bigger then me.
I was 24 at that time. Most of the others serving with me were 19 or so. They looked up to me as an older brother when things got tough. When we came under attack and the rockets, mortars, etc., came raining down on us, the younger airmen would ask me what to do. Mostly, I advised them to take cover as trained, and then begin praying. It got us through those most difficult times.
Insects and spiders were another thing we encountered there. I once hit a spider as large as my hand with my helmet. It fell to the ground and crawled away.
Now, I am very proud to say that all four of our children have served, or are currently serving, in various services with our country. Our oldest daughter served in the U.S. Army and is a Gulf War veteran. Our next eldest daughter served in the Air Force during the first Gulf War. Our two sons are in the Army and Air Force National Guard serving in Ohio. Both daughters are married, and each of their husbands served in the Gulf War in the Army and U.S. Marine Corps. One of our sons-in-law is still serving in the Marine Corps Reserve, and is an assistant trainmaster for Norfolk Southern.
When war is discussed, many don't often think of the families back home. Believe me, my wife served right along with me at my side every minute of the day. She may not have physically been there, but she suffered everything we did over there. Being away from your loved ones is the most difficult thing to handle. War wasn't as bad as missing my wife and child and all that is associated with that. Like me missing her first steps walking, or putting words together that one understands or just holding on to a loved one.
I am very proud of my service time, and feel everyone should be obligated to serve in one way or another.