Honor Glory & Pride Remember those who served. All gave some. Some gave all.
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A Supplement of the Elizabethton Star
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StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders
This photo was made in the summer of 1981, I’m stand about two feet inside of West German territory. The sign above my head say’s Stop! Here! Border. We were on border patrol and I’m carrying an M-16 A1 was an M-203 40mm grenade launcher attached under the barrel.
An unlikely military start... Souders shares how communication journey in military did a 180
BY IVAN SANDERS STAR STAFF
ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
Not everyone’s life journey begins like the path they currently follow in today’s world. Many aspire to do something different with their life but sometimes the paths get twisted and turned and sometimes it takes traveling one path to reveal what the future holds. For Elizabethton Star Photographer Larry N. Souders, what started out seeking a career in communications soon transformed into a stint in the military that enlightened the eyes of the young Souders that charted his course in the field of photography after his military career came to an end. Souders traveled a path that was walked by his uncle and father along with five of his six siblings, all of whom spent time serving in the United States armed forces. “I come from a family of service members,” said Souders. “I had an uncle that served in World War II and my father was a Navy vet from the Korean War. Like a lot of veterans of that era, they didn’t talk a lot about it but you knew that they had done it. “I looked at the military while I was in high school and decided that wasn’t the path I wanted to go down. I had gone to work for AMC (America Multi-Cinema) and thought that was going to be a career path for me. “I met my first wife in college and we married about a year later,” continued Souders. “This would be early 1980 and the economy was tanking thanks to the resident in the White House and the Arab Oil Embargo and other stuff. “She was pregnant with our first child and I could not find a job anywhere in Kingsport. I had no desire to work for Eastman, the Mead, or the Press. Factory jobs didn’t appeal to me.” Even though he might
Star Photo/Ivan Sanders
Larry Souders has been a photographer for the Star shooting news features and sports. He has found being behind a lens to be gratifying especially after his time in the military.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders
I’m sitting in the back of my M-113 APC in full MOP gear. This was the suit we were issued to protect us from chemical and biological agent attacks. The only thing missing was the mask we had to wear.
have just been shooting some early photos, Souders at the time didn’t realize the doors that would be opened up to him after his military time had come to an end and would set the early tone for his military time. “I was a budding photographer. I had been a photog-
rapher for my yearbook staff from seventh grade forward all the way through — two middle schools and all three years in high school at three different high schools as my parents divorced while I was in high school. n See SOUDERS, 8
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders
I visited the World War II memorial in Washington D.C. in April of 2019. What an honor it was to go and pay tribute to the Greatest Generation.
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Carter County women made huge contributions during WWII BY ROZELLA HARDIN EDITORIAL DIRECTOR rozella.hardin@elizabethton.com
During World War II, 57 women from Carter County served along with their brothers as members of the military — they were the Molly Pitchers of the Second World War and wore uniforms of the WACs, WAVES, SPARs, Marines, Navy Nurses, and Army Nurses. The great majority of the servicewomen were WACs. Among them were the Aker sisters, Pauline and Virginia, both staff sergeants. They served as mess sergeants in the South and West Pacific and the East Indies. Ethel Una Kyte specialized in the preparation of dehydrated foods in special diet kitchens. Mary Fern Behrend, before her marriage to Fred Behrend, former STAR Editor, was a chaplain’s assistant with the WAC at Ft. Riley, Kansas. Lola Enfield joined the WAC in 1944 and was assigned to the Air Transport Command as issue supply clerk, checking and distributing all the emergency equipment going abroad. Cora A. Buckles and Pearl Nave were members of the Women’s Army Corps. Vivian Henry was sent to Australia as a supply clerk. Adlee N. Lane and Sadie Smith served together in the Motor Transport Division, becoming expert drivers and expert mechanics, too. Florence Pless French came back from overseas with a new name. While on duty in Italy, she met and married a young lieutenant from Massachusetts. Among the first in the country to serve with the Corps were Mabel E. Pierce and Nora Sims, who were medical technicians. Mary J. Shultz was the fifth member of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Schultz to join the fighting forces. She was later married to Kyle Chambers. Edith Robinson used her experience in the chemical lab at the local rayon plants to good advantage in the service of her country in connection with the Chemical Warfare Service. Delores Mottern went to England to aid in communications. Hazel Stout was a telephone operator in England and France. The first to join the Women’s Army Corps from Carter County was Carolyn Osbore, who began as a private in December 1942, but was discharged as a lieutenant. Salley E. Cordell was the first Carter County WAC to be commissioned Then, there were Myrtle B. McManus, Verda Holly, Mary Ruth Woods, and Norma L. Lynch. Wood served as a supply clerk and Lynch was attached to the transportation corps. Tressie C. Allen followed her three sons into service and was a sergeant in charge of supplies at Lubbock Army Airfield. Another chaplain’s assistant was Ruth J. Scott, who found many uses for her musical training while a member of the WACs. She later served as organist at First Baptist Church. Other Carter County WACs were Carmelita W. Pitts,
Pvt. Verda Holly
Y 3/c Kittie H. Hendrickson
Mary Behrend
Margaret H. Potter, Zelma L. Potter, Blonnie Smith, Desiree Z. Burton, Pearl I. Byrd, Pauline S. Massaro and Julia J. Oatman. Cpt. Leota A. Sharp was stationed in Texas with the Army Air Corps. Many of the Carter County women were Navy blue and white. They were Nancy R. Bradley, AMN Mary V. Cook, Pharmacist’s Mate; Virginia Ruth Fenner, Esther E. Guinn, Norma L. Hackney, Ruth Steppe, and Iris M. Jenkins. Mary Katherine McQueen Range was the first Carter County WAVE. She had three brothers in service. Others who served were Mary Catherine Curtis, Elizabeth Tierney, Hazel F. Cates, Mary N. Neal, and Voretta Whitehead. Seaman First Class Dorothy E. Price and Miriam Virginia Jennings served with the WAVES. Jennings did stenographic and general office work in Washington, D.C. Carter County had several SPARs, the women’s branch of the U.S. Coast Guard: 1st Lt. Nilla Cook and Kitty Hendrickson.
Elizabeth Franklin, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C.M. Franklin, backed up her missing brother, Ben, as a Marine. Carter County also sent nurses to attend the nation’s wounded. They included Lt. Carolyn Taylor, who served in India and the Far East. Lt. Grace Stout joined the Army Nurses Corps in May 1942. Margery Tierney was a Navy nurse as was Myrtle R. Jackson. Ruth Alice Norris and Berlin Honeycutt were cadet nurses. Most, if not all of these women have died. However, a number of women from Carter County have followed these women’s example and have served in the U.S. Military during both peace time and war.
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Robert Nave: A father, a veteran BY BRITTNEE NAVE STAR CORRESPONDENT
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A father’s love led one man to join the military. In early 1988, Robert Nave was a father to his young son and was pondering how to give him the best life he could. After a friend brought up that he had been speaking with a recruitment officer to enlist in the military, Nave asked that his name be passed along. “I did it for my son,” Nave said. “I joined because I had just become a father, and I wanted a stable income for him.” Nave said he had mixed reactions from his family about enlistment, his mom in particular. “She didn’t want me to leave. I was the youngest,” he said. “She just didn’t want to see her baby leave.” Much to the dismay of his mother, Nave left for training for 18 weeks. He said he was taken to the airport by parents with a tearful goodbye. When he returned home for three weeks after his training, he would be gone again for a solid two years. During those two years, Nave was stationed in Italy. He lived on base and communicated with his family over phone calls. He said he spent holidays at a sergeant’s home where they would have dinner; this ultimately began to feel like another home. During these two years, Nave received his German Jump Wings and experienced a memory like no other. “Me and some of my friends went to see the Roman Colosseum and got locked out of our hotel room because of curfew,” he said. “So we slept right outside the Roman Colosseum at a park under a picnic table because it was raining. That’s one of those memories you just don’t forget.” Nave said during his time in Italy, pictures from home and care packages made him feel close to home. His son’s grandparents also made sure to remind his son who his father was while he was away. After two years in Italy, Nave returned home for 30 days before going to Fort Bragg, and eventually Desert Storm, which he found out the day after Thanksgiving. Nave went into Desert Storm for four months. “When we first got there we were in Saudi Arabia. We traveled to different parts of Saudi Arabia and then went to Iraq,” he said. Nave described what he
Star Photo/Brittnee Nave
Robert Nave proudly wearing his veteran’s hat.
saw as flat land, with sand and desert, along with oil rigs. During his time in Desert Storm, he said he was scared. “Anybody that has never really been in that situation before, yes, because it’s a very intense moment when you’ve got the fire going around you, bombs going off,” he said. In his initial enlistment of four years, he said he didn’t expect something to happen that would break into war, noting that no one really does. “There’s always a chance because you don’t know,” he said. “Someone could join right now and another war could break out.” While in the desert, Nave said that while they were fed, hygiene was on the basis of doing the best you can with no shower. After Desert Storm, Nave was allowed to return home for two weeks to be with his son, who had to have openheart surgery. “I told them I couldn’t miss it, I wanted to go home and be there for him,” he explained. “They told me they would make sure I got home, and they did.” After being with his son for the surgery, Nave said it was hard to leave him. “Anytime it’s hard to leave a child like that,” he said. “They don’t fully understand, and I damn sure didn’t want him to think I was abandoning him or didn’t care.” Nave spent the duration of his time at Fort Bragg, returning home once a
Photo Contributed
Robert Nave served in Desert Storm.
month. He left the service after four years, in February of 1992, saying he didn’t want to just be a picture for his son. “When I got out, I had to slow down,” he said. “When you’re in the service, it’s going as fast as you can. Even when I ate I had to slow down. “People also said my accent was funny. It changed because I was around differ-
ent cultures.” As he looked back at his time in the service, Nave said he wouldn’t change it. “If I had to do it again, I’d still do it,” he said. “When you join the service, you have more respect for the flag, the anthem, and the men and the women fighting for this country every day. “You are just so proud of n See NAVE, 10
Photo Contributed
Robert Nave (left) and his friends visiting the Roman Colosseum while stationed in Italy.
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Carrying two military banners... Carr serving in U.S. Army while also fighting battles on the Christian firing line
BY IVAN SANDERS STAR STAFF ivan.sanders@elizabethton.com
Carter County resident Josh Carr is a soldier in more ways than one as Carr not only serves his country in the United States Army but also serves as a soldier in the Lord’s Army as a minister. From the outside looking in, it might appear that the two could possibly but heads but Carr has been able to make both work hand in hand utilizing his military skills on foreign soil in Kuwait while also finding a way to be inspirational to those around him as a soldier of faith. Just a few months ago, Carr was deployed to Kuwait for a nine-month tour having to leave behind his wife, Haley, and his sons, five-year-old Samuel and three-year-old Noah. From the perspective of being a soldier, it was just business as usual but as a husband and father, the emotions of being separated from one’s family are the most challenging. But through his faith and relationship with God, Carr was able to use the time of separation to build on his Christian walk. “My nine-month deployment to Kuwait was a challenge both mentally and spiritually,” Carr said. “Leaving my wife and two boys were so hard emotionally just being away from their daily lives was a test, but God was my “If we fail to stand sustainer throughout as Americans, then the whole deployment. “Even though I was we have neglected separated from my our greatest duty family it drew me closer to God and enhanced to support the freedom God had my walk with him.” Carr has served in given us.” the Army for three and a half years and has — Josh Carr experienced so much in that time from his training in the Mojave Desert at Fort Erwin, Calif., to his time in Kuwait. For Carr, serving one’s country is an important step for anyone who so chooses to do so. “I believe choosing to enlist and serving is an honorable decision anyone can make — it takes dedication and courage to go and defend the freedom we have and so often take for granted,” Carr stated. “Oftentimes we focus on the negative of what’s going on in our country when instead we should be thinking of the blessings we have and be willing to defend it if the need arises.” Many may be asking themselves how a minister could serve in the military when there exists the opportunity to be involved in wartime battles which may ultimately result in death. For Carr, the opportunity has opened a mission field as a minister while serving in the capacity of an Army soldier. “I think being a minister and a soldier go hand and hand,” Carr added. “Paul tells us in the Bible, ‘I will endure hardship as a good soldier for Jesus Christ.’ “God calls us to be soldiers and to defend our faith. Being a minster and a soldier has helped me reach many fellow servicemen and women throughout my military career. “Not only am I defending our freedom, but I’m also defending my liberty and freedom through Christ.” With the economy and lack of jobs existing in society today, many young people coming out of high school continue to choose the path of joining a branch of the military and many decide after enlisting to make it a career. While many may be debating whether or not to commit to serving, Carr was asked what his advice to a young person or anyone thinking about enlisting in the armed services would be. “My advice to anyone joining the military is discipline and respect,” Carr commented. “Remember, you are joining a fighting force that has a distinguished and honorable history that you are willing to take part in. “Respect your superiors and be disciplined in all you do. This advice has strengthened me and will take you far.” In three and a half years of service, Carr has had the opportunity to experience much while in the military. In all of his time of service, Carr was asked what has been the greatest experience for him. “My greatest military experience was being able to lead a unit Bible study in Kuwait,” said Carr. “It was a great opportunity to share God’s word with other soldiers and see them grow over the nine months we were deployed.” Being a father to two boys and another one on the way, many fathers enjoy seeing their children follow in their footsteps when they grow up to an age where they too can enlist in the military. For Carr, he sees it as his responsibility to share with his sons the experiences that he has had in the military but ultimately allow them to decide what they want to do when reaching the age to make that decision. Carr knows about following in the family footsteps as his brother completed six years in the Air Force and his father, Jim, also was in the Air Force. “Ultimately my children will choose their own path in life but I don’t shy away from teaching them about what I’ve learned in the military and the importance of freedom and democracy we have,” Carr stated. “So, no matter if they join or not I just want my kids to know about God and His love for us, and the love He has had for our nation. “I want my kids to serve God and be soldiers for Christ.” During recent times while the United States has been n See CARR, 7
Photo Contributed
Josh Carr (L) poses for a photo with his brother, Tyler, who served six years in the Air Force.
Photo Contributed
Josh Carr and a couple of his buddies take time to poise for a photo.
Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends (John 15:13).
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Photo Contributed
Josh Carr and his wife, Haley, are active in ministry at Roan Street Church of God.
Photo Contributed
Family means everything to Josh Carr who has a photo snapped of he and his wife Haley, and sons Samuel and Noah.
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Photo Contributed
Cara Boulanger: A newlywed Marine BY BRITTNEE NAVE STAR CORRESPONDENT
Cara Boulanger is a Marine and a newlywed. The Elizabethton native and Unaka High School graduate enlisted in early 2019. “I enlisted because I wanted to make something of myself,” she said. “I wanted to serve my country while still working a job that I knew I would enjoy.” Boulanger went to boot camp on March 18, 2019. “Training was definite“My favorite ly mentally and physically draining and it can take a part of my lot out of you. But in the job is all the end, it is all worth it,” she opportunities explained. Marines are described it has given me. as fighting to win and I’ve gotten to do answering the nation’s call a little traveling, on their official website. “Marines are trained I’ve met some to improvise, adapt, and wonderful overcome any obstacle in people, and I get whatever situation they are to do a job that needed,” the website states. “They have the willingness I love.” to engage and the determination to defeat the enemy —Cara Boulanger until victory is seized.” According to their website, Marines have served this country for over 200 years. “As America’s expeditionary force in readiness since 1775, the U.S. Marines are forward deployed to win our Nation’s battles swiftly and aggressively in times of crisis,” their mission statement reads. ”We fight on land, sea, and air, as well as provide forces and detachments to naval ships and ground operations.” Boulanger became a Marine and graduated on June 14, 2019. “I have never been more proud of myself,” she said. “Going to my MOS school and learning my job was great. I enjoyed learning about my job and getting experience in my field.”
Photo Contributed
Cara Boulanger enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in early 2019.
n See MARINE, 10
Photo Contributed
Boulanger with her husband Nick who is also in the military.
Photo Contributed
Cara Boulanger
Photo Contributed
Prior to being married this Spring, Boulanger was Cara Peters.
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Honoring those who gave it all for their country
Photo Contributed
Josh Carr along with is wife Haley and sons, Samuel and Noah, take in the downtown Elizabethton Christmas parade.
CARR n Continued from 5
going through turmoil with the COVID-19 pandemic and riots over racial issues, there have been times that the American flag has been seen set on fire and burnt by those that the military has fought and died for to give America its independence. Carr was asked how that seeing these scenes play out has personally affected him especially knowing that he now is serving to protect the same flag and country. “I’m direct when it comes to how our flag and country are treated,” Carr stated. “It’s appalling to see our flag disrespected in so many ways. “Throughout our history thousands and thousands of people have shed blood on home and foreign soil to see the flag continue to stand. As Americans, especially Christian Americans, we need to make a resolve that we are a blessed nation and that God has divinely lead us though a Revolution, Civil War, two global conflicts and so much more. “If we fail to stand as Americans, then we have neglected our greatest duty to support the freedom God has given us.” One might ask how Carr could separate being both a member of the United States Army and the Lord’s Army, especially when serving in a deployed state where the American military must respect the religions of other countries that they are serv-
ing in. Carr would be the first to tell you that the military trains you to be a fighter in conflict but that the Bible is filled with instances where great men served God and fought in battle as well. “Being a soldier is a tough job but being a minister has in reality helped me more than hinder me,” commented Carr. “Soldiers are trained to fight and many have asked how can a Minister train to fight in conflicts and battles and still hold on to the biblical principles. “For my answer, I turn to the scriptures and stories of men in the Bible like Joshua or Gideon, great men of faith who were warriors and military leaders — like me they had learned the values and morals of serving God but when the time came to fight they fought knowing God was guiding them through the battle. “War is an awful thing that came about from sin entering the world but God can use war to achieve the goals He has in mind and I wanna be a part of God’s plan to see our military come to revival and realize that in order for America’s military to be powerful and strong it needs God, not more planes, tanks or bullets. “We need God’s mighty hand to be our weapon against the enemies who threaten our freedom.” Carr and his family attend Roan Street Church of God where they are active in ministry.
Photo Contributed
Josh Carr, front and center, along with the rest of his troop stand in attention.
The Elizabethton Star would like to express our deepest thanks to all veterans. Your courage and dedication to our country is truly an inspiration. We at the Star would like to take this opportunity to remember especially those in our community who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of this great nation. Listed below are the names of Carter County veterans who died in combat. The names of these heroes can be found engraved in marble in the War Memorial located in downtown. We would like to ask all of our readers to take a to think of these brave veterans and the families they left behind. World War I Charles H. Alberston; Lawrence F. Allen; Henry F. Angel; Fredrick Barlow; Hubert Barron; William S. Blevins; Samuel M. Bowers;
Elbert Bowman; Charles E. Cook; John Dayton; Walter Deloach; James R. Geisler; Smith Grindstaff; Lawson J. Hamby; Walter H. Heaton; Roby Hendrix; Fred C. Hicks; Bernie Hilton; Claude Hopson; Edward ingram; John Ingram; Clarence Johnson; Charles S. Lacey; Orville E. Lewis; Walter Lyons; Joseph R. Main; George Markland; Bascom McKinney; Claude McKinney; Edward Miller; Will Miller; Milburn Moffitt; Jessee Nave; Blaine Perkins; Lee Pritchett; Clifton Roark; Charles F. Roe; Robert L. Scott; Fred Shatley; Cecil Smith; Stacy Smith; Blan S. Stout; R.C. Tucker; William M. Ward; Paul Williams; Rothsey E. Williams; Tyler Wilson; William E. Wilson; Daniel Wright; and Arthur Winters. World War II n See HONORING, 10
Photo Contributed
Josh Carr holds his son Samuel in front of a U.S. Army tank.
Photo Contributed
Josh Carr flashes a smile while on a mission with his unit.
Happy 4th of July! Thank You For Your Service To Our Country
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Honoring Our Brave Soldiers Photo Contributed
Josh Carr has been in the U.S. Army for three and a half years and also is a minister as he carries the banner for the military and as part of God’s Army.
Photo Contributed
Josh Carr prepares to depart for a mission.
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SOUDERS n Continued from 2
“I said to myself that I would look into communications in the service.” Souders did his due diligence in research each branch looking to fulfill his desire to learn communications in the service. Each stop had varying results and when he did find the one he wanted to commit to, it turned out to be completely different than what Souders would ever imagine. “I talked to a Navy guy and he didn’t have much to offer,” stated Souders. “The Air Force I didn’t know enough about but if I went into the Air Force, I wanted to fly. The only problem was I wore glasses and to fly you have to have very good vision. “I talked to the recruiter in the Army and he was good. He was a good salesman and I told him what I wanted to do. I wanted to get into communications and possibly grow as a photographer. “He said they had this MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) 13-Fox,” Souders continued. “He said that I would be doing a lot of communicating in that MOS and I was like ‘Okay cool, sign me up.’ “I found out real quickly that wasn’t what it was. In February of 1980, I left and went down to Knoxville and processed in and swore my allegiance to the country and was shipped immediately to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, which is home of all the artillery. It’s where all the artillery people go to train.” Souders soon found out the communications that he envisioned did truly evolve into a communication platform, but the platform turned into being able to call in coordinates for the artillery to shot at. “13-Fox is a fire-support specialist,” said Souders. “They called us The Fist and our job was to coordinate troop movement, gunfire, Naval gunfire, Air Force target acquisition and strafing runs, and bombing, and basically we were the guys who sit upon the hill and said shoot that way.
“I did my basic at Fort Sill and I did my AIT and left there in July of 1980. It was an interesting job and I really grew to love it.” After completion of his advanced training, Souders would soon find himself a part of the 11th Armored Cavalry, 1st Regiment. The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR) is called The Blackhorse Regiment with the 1st known as Ironhorse. The motto on the unit insignia is “Allons,” which means “Let’s Go” in French. Souders was assigned to the Howitzer Battery (HWB or How Bat) Artillery also known as the RedLegs and work with Charlie Troop. “I got my soul duty station because I was going to bring my wife along and I ended up with the 11th Armored Cavalry, 1st Regiment in Fulda, Germany. We were quite literally the front line of defense in the Cold War,” Souders reminisced. “Any invasion going East to West or West to East goes through the Fulda Gap and our job was to be blockers in case of a Soviet invasion to keep the Russians from advancing to the Rhine and Rhone Rivers, to Frankfurt, to any place West of the border — the Iron Curtain. “I spent three years there and the first year I was pretty much there by myself because to get my wife and daughter together to make that move did not happen real quickly. She did not actually arrive in-country until almost six months after I had been there.” Basically all alone and counting down the days until his family arrived, Souders focused on his military duty by working in the field where he spent 310 days out of the first 365 days serving after arriving in-country. “I spent a lot of time in the field in support of the 8th Artillery, the second of the air defense artillery, and the forward observers which are parts of The Fist team on top of going out with our artillery unit. We were also assigned to one of the different troops who were garrisoned together — Alpha, Bravo, Charlie,
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and Tango which is the four troops,” stated Souders. “On top of supporting each individual troop we were assigned to, there was something called REFORGER (Return of Forces Europe or Return of Forces Germany). “If the war started, we trained with units that would actually airlift into Germany like it was the real thing and we would go to war.” Just like riding a bike, doing the type of work Souders was doing required many hours of practice at one of two practice zones in Germany — Grafenwoehr Training Area aka Graf Hohenfels or Wildflecken aka Wild Chicken. It was during this time that Souders discovered that it was just peashooters they were dealing with. “For practice, we went to live-fire areas like Grafenwoehr and Wildflecken,” Souders said. “I also spent in my three years there about six months on the Iron Curtain border. I been there and saw that. “It was interesting times because it was the height of the Cold War. (Ronald) Reagan had just been elected and peace through strength — they were starting to build up the military forces. “The Navy got the brunt of it because Carter had kind of decimated the Navy because they had mothballed the ships so they started to bring them back out. “We started getting new weaponry and new ways of communication — new ways of calling and asking for artillery fire and mortar fire, coordinating with the Air Force. We didn’t do much with the Navy because where we were was 250 miles from the North Sea which was probably the closest water to where I was.” Souders got to witness first hand how the A-10 Warthog played such an impressive role in helping the United States and their allies win the first Gulf War relatively easy. “I saw some awesome displays of firepower. In Grafenwoehr, it’s almost a bowl. Mountains are all around it and then there is this flat plain that is easily 20 to 30 square miles,” recalled Souders. “You went there to practice for calling in artillery and one of the coolest things was when we got to call in the A-10’s, the Warthogs probably most known from the Gulf War on the Highway of Death. “You would actually be in communication with the pilots. Once the Air Force liaison handed it off to us we were in direct communications with the pilot as to what we were looking at, what we were wanting him to do, and then we would bring him in and tell him now was the time to do what we asked. “A-10’s fly very low and that is one fantastic airplane,” Souders continued.”They are designed with four redundancies for every system on the aircraft and the pilot sits in a titanium tub to protect from ground fire. “You would see them come around and go low and then do this pop-up maneuver where they would pop up 300 or 400 hundred feet and layover and put the aircraft on a knife’s edge, acquire the target, and then level out and then you would hear this crazy sound and whatever was in front of that aircraft disappears. “It’s a 40mm Gatlin gun that fires at a sustained rate of 3,000 rounds per minute and it fires a one-pound depleted Uranium slug about four inches long and an inch to an inch and a half in diameter and it will turn a tank into
Swiss cheese.” Souders, like many others before him and those that followed, developed a strong bond with those that he served with in the military. Those friendships have survived over the years and more are made daily with others who served with the 11th Armored Cavalry unit. “It was really cool. I made some really, really good friends. Some of whom I am still in contact with today,” Souders commented. “Through Facebook, I have met several people who have been in my unit before I got there, while I was there, and since I have left. “The 11th Armored Cavalry left Germany in 1990 and they went to the first Gulf War. After the victory there, they packed it up and went to Fort Ord in California where they are the red flag unit. In other words, they are the training unit so that anybody comes in learning to fight desert warfare, comes in and the 11th Armored Cavalry mimics being Russian troops.” Souders left Germany in August of 1983 after he and his first wife separated and then divorced. With his child being back home, Souders had been considering the thought of re-enlisting or coming home to take care of his child. The 6,000-mile difference between him and his child won out and he received a Compassionate Discharge to come home and take care of his child. Although he didn’t get to do the communications that he envisioned, Souders was honored to have a couple of his images be published by the military publication Stars and Stripes which Souders considered to be a high honor. Souders realizes a lot has changed since his time in the service but he also knows that many other things have changed as well. “Training has changed dramatically since what I had to do,” Souders said. “Combat skills are done more at the squad level (6 to 12 guys). When I went in, it was all strategic. I went to Germany and our job was to stop the invading Red Hoard — the Russians. “Discipline as far as an individual’s personal discipline has gotten stronger. I am proud of our military. They kick butt and take names in doing their job and do it well. The military’s job is to break things and win wars. “I am not one for regime change stuff, but if you turn our military loose and let them do their job that they are trained for, they will win every single time. We are the best trained, best equipped, best-backed military on this planet bar none.” Souders went on to describe a moment during his service along the Iron Curtain that he remembers like it just happened. He said the event makes him appreciate the freedom he has as an American today. “We face a different foe now than during my timeframe,” Souders recollected. “I was on the border once and our job was to watch them watch us and I can close my eyes to this day and it has been nearly 40 years and a Soviet officer and two East Germany enlisted came out of a tower that was about 400 meters West and to our South, came to the fence, came through the fence, stayed on their side of the border which a lot of people don’t understand — the Iron Curtain that was not the border. “The actual border was about 50 meters West. There was a no-man’s land —
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders
This is the observation tower at OP Alpha looking out across the old East-West inter-zonal border between the two Germany’s. The cross in the foreground marks where someone died while trying to escape Communist East Germany.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders
I’m sitting just outside of the drivers hatch of the M-113 APC I drove while I was stationed in Germany. We had just pulled into an OP (Observation Point) in Grafenwöhr, I had drawn guard duty of the vehicle while the rest of my team scouted a place to hid the track so we could conducted artillery live fire training missions.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders
A winter live fire training exercise in Wildflecken. That’s my track (APC- Armored Personal Carrier) on the left HOW-C (Charlie), let me tell you there aren’t to many places colder in Germany than this place. There’s about a foot of snow on the ground at this OP.
StarPhoto/Larry N. Souders
I’m standing in the drivers hatch of the M-113 APC I drove while stationed in Germany. I’m smiling because I’d just successfully park my track on a railcar as we were getting ready to go to Grafenwöhr to do some live fire training.
personnel mines, anti-tank ditches, and vehicle obstructions between the Iron Curtain as we know in our age group and where the actual border was,” Souders continued. “These three people came through the fence and there is a path that has been walked who knows how many years and we had an observation tower and we are up in it and are watching them. “One of the East Germany guys is taking photos of us while I am taking photos of them. Where we were standing taking photos of each other, it was literally three steps to their right and one step forward and they were free. Any East German who stepped onto the West Germany side was granted asylum and citizenship — there were no questions. “And to this very day, I can see the three of them turn around and walk back,”
Souders continued. “The kid that saw that didn’t understand, but I do today because they probably had family somewhere across the border in East Germany that would have been punished if they had made that step into freedom. “That is probably the time that sticks in my mind the most. It was literally five feet to freedom. I think our people take our freedom for granted, do not understand or appreciate what our military or law enforcement and the jobs each one of them performs.” Since returning to the states, Souders began his photography journey in 1990 when he went to work for Allen Frost at Coleman’s Studios. That love and passion for shooting behind a lens have kept Souders on his professional path to this day. Many have seen his work in the Star where he continues to shoot news and sports.
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SATURDAY-SUNDAY, JUNE 27-28, 2020 - STAR - 9
This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis Staff Sgt. Stephen R. Maddies
US Army Airborne & Army National Guard Served 20 Years
We miss you everyday. Thank you for your service & sacrifice. KIA July 31, 2007
Gene Smith US Army Served - 3 Tours in Vietnam
Christopher A. Range US Coast Guard Served - 4 Years
Thank you for your service.
Senior Msgt/First Sgt. Randal M. Shell
Tyler W. Stevens
US Navy (Aircraft Carrier George H. W. Bush) Served - 5 Years
Eddie Miller US Army Served - 4 Years
Thank you for your service. Love and Miss You. Judy
I would like to say thank you to my brother, Retired Senior Msgt-USAF for his 26 years of service to our great country. We are so proud of you and love you.
Danny Ray Cable
Loving Husband, Father and Grandfather. We love and miss you. Love, Barbara, Jackie Ray, Brett, Annette, Aidan and Levi
Glen Steven Gouge US Navy Served - 1963-66
Thank you for your service to your country and to your family. We are proud of you and love you so much.
US Army Airborne Served - 3 Years
Thank you for your service. Thank you for your service.
Chad E. Ellis US Marines 1964-1968
US Air Force Served - 26 Years
For those who have fought for it, freedom has a taste the protected will never know.
Jerry. G. Range
Thank you for your service. We are so proud of you.
Eddie Hendrickson US Air Force Served - 21 Years
Thank you for your service. Love & Miss you. Your Family
Joel C. “J.C.” Bradley
Stanley A. Bowers US Army Served - 2 Years
A Vietnam veteran and a Purple Heart Recipient. Thanks for the faithful service you so gladly gave to our country. Your love and kindness will always be remembered. I love you more everyday. Your wife
Henry D. Potter US Army Served - 4 Years
Thank you for your service. Love & Miss you.
Larry W. Tipton US Navy Served - 4 Years
LTC Steven L. Crowe
Thank you for your service on the USS Coral Sea. I am proud of you. May God bless you. My husband and partner. I love you always. Your wife, Wilma Tipton
Thank you for your service to our country for our freedom. You are a special son to me. I am proud of you. May God bless you. Love, Mama & Larry
Britt Barnett US Marine Served - 2 Years
US Air Force Served - 4 Years
Thank you for your service. Love you
Buddy Little
Charles (Chuck) Bayne
US Army Served - 3 Years WWII Vet
Thank you from your family for your service.
Don Williams
James Williams Sr.
Thank you for your service to our country and your love for our family.
Thank you for your service to our country and your love for our family.
Love, Janie, Shirley, Joey & Danny
Love, Janie, Shirley, Joey & Danny
US Army Served - 2 Years Served in the Korean Conflict
US Army Served - 2 Years
Thank you for your service to our country. We love and miss you Daddy. Love, Janie, Shirley, Joey & Danny
Clara June Pender
We are so proud of our US Marine! We love you and thank you for all you gave for us.
Judy
US Army Served - 2 Years
US Army Served - 21 Years
US Navy Served - 3 Years
Thank you for serving. We love and miss you. All Your Family
10 - STAR - SATURDAY-SUNDAY, JUNE 27-28, 2020
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This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave. ~Elmer Davis Sgt. Charles Ward, Jr. US Army - 6 Years Korea - 2 Years
Thank you for your service to our country. With love from your family
Sgt. Roosevelt Carden US Army Served - 2 Years Korea
Thank you for your service to our country. With love from your wife, Ruth
Cpl Bobby (Jack) Ward US Army Served - 5 Years
Served in Korea, Germany and France 1959-1965
Harold McEwen
Frank Newman
Becky Smith
1952-1955 Korean War Served on the Tripoli CVE64. Come visit Harold at Ole City Dogs!
Salute to you all, especially those on the wall.
Operation Desert Storm Salute to all who served both past and present.
US Navy Served - 4 Years
NAVE
MARINE
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them and would do anything in the world for them, no matter what branch they’re in. That’s family.” In 2009, a devastating fire left most of Nave’s military photos destroyed. Those remaining are of group photos his friends from the army were able to find for him. Nave concluded by speaking on the rewards he believes come from serving his country. “It builds character and it molds you into being a better person,” he said. “It’s a hard lifestyle, it’s a
While missing her during her time away, Boulanger said her family supported her decision to enlist. “My family was very supportive when I told them that I was joining,” she said. “They were definitely sad to see me go, but continue to be supportive all throughout my training. “They are beyond proud of me and my accomplishments, which makes me happy that I’m able to do that. Their support is what makes the distance a little less hard.” In addition to earning the title of Marine, she also earned the title of a bride as she traded in her uniform for a wedding gown when she was married this spring. Boulanger opened up about married life and explained what they share in common. “We are both in the military and are stationed together,” she explained. “Even though we sometimes have different schedules or one of us is gone in the field or in training, we still manage to set time aside for us.” She said she met her husband, Nick when she was a senior in high school. They then began dating during her first year of college. Boulanger, who is 21 years old, is now stationed in North Carolina and is a Lance Corporal, 0431 (embarkation specialist). “Lance Corporal is an E-3 and is still a junior Marine,” she described. “A Lance Corporal just basically does whatever work they’re able to that’s handed down from their NCOs or Chain of Command.” Boulanger is optimistic about the future her job holds for her. “My favorite part of my job is all the opportunities it has given me,” she said. “I’ve gotten to do a little traveling, I’ve met some wonderful people, and I get to do a job that I love. “ “I hope that while being in the Marines I will con-
HONORING n Continued from 7
Clyde Adkins; Shona K. Aldridge; Grant E. Allen; Timothy Ahern; Clyde T. Angel; Allison A. Arrowood; Paul T. Barnett; Barney C. Bennett; John S. Birchfield; Conrad C. Bitzer; John S. Bowers; Samuel M. Bowers; Felix R. Brewer; Bascom Bryant; Herman Buchanan; James S. Buckles; Paul Burnett; Clay Byers; Junior R. Calloway; William V. Campbell; Clarence Carden; Paul B. Carter; Lloyd E. Carver; Charles W. Clamon; Brownlow A. Clawson; Cleve J. Clawson; James C. Coggins Jr.; Farrell R. Collins; Earle P. Cooke; Paul B. Crabree; Dewey E. Crowe; Cecil Culver; Stanley Curry; Kenneth W. Daivs; Robert C. Davis Jr; Robert L. Davis; Robert Deloach; William T. Deloach; William E. Denney; Robert C. Duff; William G. Dunn; Eldridge S. Edens; George S. Ellis; Thurman H. Estep; Charles B. Franklin; James Freeman; J.C. Gentry; Hughes W. Gobble; Karl F. Grindstaff; Ira J. Hardin; Howard R. Heaton; John E. Heaton; Leon Helton; Merlin B. Hicks; Robert H. Hilton; Edwin Hines; Rhudy L. Hinkle; Wesley J. Holden; Avery Hopson; Frank Hopson; Clifford B. Hyder; Olin Jacobs; Oden D. Johnson; Dillar L. Kerley; John P. Keys; Glen E. Huhn; Walter J. Lang; George E. Laws; John O. Lewis; Robinson Lewis; Albert E. Livingston; Howard
Photo Contributed
dangerous lifestyle, but the rewards are there and the opportunities to expand and
do something in this world are there; I respect anyone who wants to join.”
E. Little; James B. Little; France E. Lothery; Harry C. Markland; Worley S. Markland; William O. McCloud; Lewis McKeehan; Tommy E. McKeehan; David R. McQueen; Ira L. Meredith; Thoams R. Michael; Delmer D. Miles; Herman E. Milhorn; Avery R. Miller; David R. Miller; Herman Miller; Albert R. Moore; Joseph W. Morrell; James W. Munsey Jr.; Herschell L. Nave; Robert R. Norman; Glenn S. Oliver; James E. Peoples; Bruce W. Perry; Elwyn S. Perry; George W. Persinger; Alvin L. Pierce; Walter D. Pierce; Jack L. Pleasant; Warren C. Price; Leonard B. Pritchard; Robert F. Rainwater; Raymond F. Range; Clarence G. Roe; Martin E. Rosenbaum; William C. Runyan; John E. Russell; Walter M. Shields; Elmer J. Shull; Paul E. Shultz; Kale Simerly; Stewart R. Simerly; Broadway V. Sims; Edward B Sitterson; Jack A. Slagle; Ray R. Smith; Antie E. Souder; Lewis Starnes; Floyd Stout; Lonzie J. Stout; L.T. Stout; Eugene H. Street; Claude Swanner; Cameron C. Taylor; Fred Taylor; Hendrix C. Taylor; Jesse J. Taylor; Phil S. Taylor; Stokes M. Taylor; William J. Taylor; George W. Teneyck; Phillip Tolley; Roy Tolley; Roscoe D. Tomlinson; William L. Treadway Jr.; James Tummis; William A. Fance; Amon D. Wagner; William B. Wagner; Clarence W. Walker; Ernest E. Walker; James W. Walker; Lloyd Ward; Robert Watson; Ralph M. Wattenbarger;
Paul E. White; Clyde Whitehead; Stewart Whitehead; T.W. Whitehead; William H. Whitson; Roy S. Williams; Tillman H. Williams; Mark P. Wilson; Allen Winters; and Justin C. Walsh. Korea Medon A. Bitzer; Bernie B. Britton; Razor J. Campbell; Roscoe C. Campbell; John E. Carver; Mathey G. Cole; Paul Emmert Jr.; Ray m. Guess; Hames R. Hollfield; Earl Lewis; Paul E. Little; Joe P. McKeehan; William C. Nidiffer; Billy B. Norris; Raymond Pierce; Enoch Porter; Joe D. Simerly; Grady Stanley; Robert M. Trivett; Noah H. Tyree Jr. Vietnam John P. Avery; James D. Bowers; James W. Bowman; James m. Cornett; James D. Dugger Jr.; Billy J. Ellis; Charles E. Fulton; James C. Gilbert; William L. Greenwell; Tony L. Griffith; Freddie R. Guinn; Floyd S. Harmon; John P. Isaacs; Arnold B. Jackson; Dale A. Johnson; Herbert A. Kehrli; Larry J. Lyons; James H. Markland; Gary D. Murray; Michael P. Oliver; Herman H. Payne; Elbert F. Price Jr.; Robert L. Shaffer; Sam E. Stout; Clifford M. Taylor; Thomas C. Treadway; William J. Williams; Harold W. Wilson; Roy H. Wilson; Allen L. Winters. Desert Storm Daniel E. Graybeal Enduring Freedom Afghanistan Jefferson D. Davis Iraq J. Trane McCloud; Stephen R. Maddies
Special Forces 1967-1968
Army Reserves Served - 8 Years
Photo Contributed
Boulanger and her father.
Photo Contributed
Boulanger and her mother.
tinue to grow and succeed at my job. I can’t wait to travel more and progress in my job. Every day I am offered a new learning experience.” This newlywed Marine has some advice for anyone thinking of enlisting. “I would tell anyone wanting to enlist to make
sure they are ready,” she said. “It’s a big commitment, but it is all worth it.” Boulanger looks at her enlistment decision with pride. “Once you earn the title of Marine after you finish the crucible there is no other feeling like that,” she said.