As a Navy Brat, or sometimes known as a Base Brat by the local school kids due to the fact I often lived on the nearby military base in every town we lived in, I grew up immersed the military way of life. My father served in the Navy for 23 years starting as a sonar technician on battleships, then as an engineer on aircraft carriers and eventually retired as a Lt. Commander. As a small child I remember how he would be at sea for months at a time with a short amount of leave in between tours. My mom still has shoe boxes of postcards (remember those?) he would send us from the Pacific. He served during Vietnam and represented our country proudly and for that experience I am always grateful for him and the rest of the veterans in our country for their sacrifice. So, Today, 11/11/11, be sure to take a moment to think of them and their families and remember that it is because of these dedicated men and women that we are the free and proud nation that we are.
At Windsor Vineyards, there are several veterans who continue to serve, but these days they share a piece of the wine country lifestyle by helping customers, as personal wine consultants, find the best wines from Sonoma, Napa and surrounding wine regions for their palate or occasion. For their dedicated service first and foremost to our nation, we pay tribute by introducing you to them and acknowledging their service here:
Gary Musco – Army Airborne in the 70′s stationed at Fort Sherman and For Gulik in Panama the continued to serve in the 80′s and 90′s in the Army National Guard.
Earl Thompson – Gunship Pilot for the 1st Air Cavalry during a tour in Vietnam in ’67 and ’68, collecting 13 combat decorations. Shot down twice and was wounded 5 times.
Brad Evans – Served in the Army from October 1965 – October 1968. Upon completion of AIT at Fort Sill, Oklahoma he was stationed in Germany with B Battery, 2nd, 28th Artillery eventually bring promoted to Sgt. E5. Graduated from the 7th Army NCO Academy at Bad Tols, Germany.
SP5 James Valinoti
SP5 James Valinoti – Completed basic training at Fork Polk, LA, Jump School at Fort Benning, GA and Combat Medical School at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, Brook General Hospital before attaining Advanced Medical Training at Clinical Specialist School, Letterman General Hospital for Surgery. Served in Vietnam from 1968-69 as Battalion Senior Combat Medic with First Air Cavalry Division, 1/7 Cavalry (Infantry) (ARTY) and received several combat decorations.
And with heavy hearts we give our final salute to Mike Murray, who recently passed away. He was a Navy veteran and will be sorely missed. We wish you fair winds and following seas, Mike.
Please share your thoughts on the Veterans in your family or who you know in your community or share a note in recognition of our veterans listed above in the comments section below. We hope you have a safe and enjoyable holiday. Cheers!
