Will Lahnen – Life Under the Sea
City of Jacksonville City Council Member and Navy Veteran Will Lahnen speaks about serving on submarines in the post-9/11 Navy.
Gerald Maloney – When Things Go Wrong
Gerald Maloney recounts a harrowing experience during a dive-bombing mission where his plane malfunctioned. Despite facing numerous issues, including a hung gun, two hung rockets, a hung bomb, and a canopy that wouldn’t open, he managed to land the plane.
David Treffinger – “It Could Have Been Me”
David Treffinger recalls his time in Vietnam. He describes his fear upon receiving orders and the attack on his base camp that resulted in his injury and the death of a fellow soldier.
Aaron “Gary” Newman – The Brassbound Entreprenuer
Gary Newman describes how the Orleck was painted in Hong Kong in exchange for brass shell casings from 5-inch guns.
John Stram – Flying at Ground Level
John Stram joined the Air Force at 19 and was assigned to the 428th Tactical Fighter Squadron. In 1968, the squadron was moved to Takhli, Thailand, where they began flying combat missions into Vietnam. However, after a month, the F-111s they were flying began to crash due to a design flaw. The squadron was grounded […]
Paul Romilly – Advice to “Lost” Youth
Retired Senior Chief Damage Controlman Paul Romilly offers advice to young people about pursuing a career in the military.
Tell Your Story
City Councilman Jimmy Peluso, LCDR USNR, speaks about the importance of remembering military stories. He emphasizes that these stories encompass a wide range of experiences, including humorous anecdotes, moments of loss and tragedy, and the sacrifices made by both military members and their families. Peluso encourages veterans to share their stories and highlights the enduring […]
David Abramowitz – To the Unsung Heroes
David Abramowitz left the Air Force Academy and joined the Army, where he became an aviator. He talks about the difficulties his wife Gloria faced raising their two children while he was frequently deployed, and how she was instrumental to his successful military career.
Iryll Jones – From Human Guinea Pig to Providing Comfort
Iryll Jones recounts his time as a navy diver doing human body experiments and equipment testing. He has asbestiosis because of asbestos exposure on the Orleck, but he continues to give back by training and donating service dogs to veterans.