Proud To Be An American:

Veterans’ Stories Part 2

These gallant men and women indeed served our country, whether on home ground or foreign soil. They continue that service today. Many are members of the American Legion and the VFW as each organization offers opportunities to serve the country and its people.

Another member of that family is Bill Pickett, a former commander of the American Legion Post 75, member of the Honor Guard and a member of the shooting brigade for the funerals that honor the military deceased.

Bill was attending the University of Utah and working as a fireman in Salt Lake City when he was drafted at the age of 20 years. He was an Army Infantryman assigned to the 10th Corps Headquarters when he was deployed to Korea. He was assigned to the War Room doing planning work.

Occasionally he visited the Main Line of Resistance (MLR), still known as the 38th parallel, to correlate the casualties of the day. This, he stated, was a very unpleasant task. Although Korea was not known as an air war, small planes similar to piper cubs were used. Fortunately, they weren’t very accurate and often times missed their mark.

Bill spent his 21st birthday in Korea. When he was released from the Service, he returned to Salt Lake City and continued to work for the Fire Department and studied under the GI Bill. He became an Engineer and worked for many years as a Fire Protection Contractor. As such he worked at the Ground Support Facilities for the Space Shuttle at Vandenberg, California. Here he was able to work directly with the astronauts. Bill’s multiple careers had many highlights, one was when he worked for an Architectural Firm, he designed an Out House for the Park Service.

Pickett said that he “never met a draftee that didn’t give it his all.” He continued that “although it wasn’t the most pleasant experience in life, he is glad that he had it, as it gave him maturity.”

Another member of the local VFW and American Legion is Marlena Gipson of Moapa. Marlena lived in Santa Rosa, California where she worked as a Police Dispatcher. She joined the Air Force in December, 2000. One of her goals was to complete her schooling. This she did and received a degree in Management in Aeronautics.

In the Air Force she was assigned to Munitions, which she grew to enjoy. She was stationed in Idaho at Mountain Home in the Munitions Storage Facilities. Her five year stint took her to Korea for a year and then to Nellis. In between she was deployed to Kuwait twice and Afghanistan once.

Marlena states that she enjoyed these experiences as she wanted to learn as much as she could about these cultures. She was surprised at how ‘Westernized’ Kuwait and Korea are. She gained the rank of Staff Sergeant.

Both she and her husband have left the military at this time. Marlena stated that she wanted to spend more time with her young son; however, she says that the Military Reserves might be an option she will explore at a later date. Currently she works as a Police Dispatcher in North Las Vegas.

Do you remember the Cuban Missile Crisis of 1962? It was downright scary and the Nation was in Panic Mode. Sgt. 1st Class Dennis Vance was a member of the Army at that time. He was in Armor with the 1st Infantry Division. Dennis was stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas and found himself in a railroad box car guarding ammunition on his way to Florida. He says with a sigh of relief that they were turned back at St. Louis.

Vance served three tours of duty in 1964, 1970 and 1972. He served in Vietnam at Qui Nhon, Da Nang and Cameron Bay. Upon his release, he worked for Hughes Aircraft as a field technician at the Test Site in Tonopah.

Upon his retirement in 2000, he moved to the Moapa Valley where he is an active member in the VFW and the American Legion. I asked him if he was a “lifer” or a “career soldier?” He stated that “he felt he was a career soldier as he maintained his sense of humor!”

Specialist Justin Brinker, a graduate of Moapa Valley High School, in this reporter’s mind, exemplifies the responsibility, patriotism and dedication of all military men and women. This young man is currently serving his 3rd tour of duty in Iraq. Justin has been stationed in Ar Ramadi, Balad and now, in Mosul. His duty to his country does not stop there. When he is home on R&R, he visits the local schools (Mack Lyon Middle School) and talks with those young students about the Army and his personal experiences excluding the details of the war specifically. He also has helped with that school’s Flag Ceremony with the local VFW.

Brinker joined to find direction in his life. He modestly states that he’s just doing his job. Mission accomplished.