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VETERANS
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Sgt. Kenneth L. Talley
Chuck Norton served in the Navy with training as a
US Army Infantry - Served Jan. 1971 through Jan. 1973
Radarman and an Electronic Warfare Technician. The Radarman School lasted 16 weeks and was taken in Great Lakes IL; the Electronic Warfare Technician School lasted 55 weeks and was given at Treasure Island California Navy Base in San Francisco Bay. The Anti-Air Warfare Training was given at Dam Neck, VA while attached to my ship the USS Corry-DD 817. Chuck joined the Corry in early March of 1972 after A-School graduation and promotion to EW-3 just after she returned form a Med-Cruise.
Kenneth was raised on a farm in Iredell County along with 3 brothers and 4 sisters. He received Jesus Christ as my Savior at the age of 10. After graduating from Harmony High School in 1966 he went on to attend the University of Georgia obtaining a BS degree in Forestry in 1970. He retired from the NC Forest Service and currently self-employed as a forestry consultant. I would like to give Praise and Glory to God for leading and guiding me, and for any accomplishments made throughout my life. I was in the first military draft lottery that was implemented under President Richard Nixon, and I wasn’t sure at the time why anyone with a wife and child would have to go into Service. Now that I look back on the way God worked everything out for our good and His Glory, I have a better understanding of Romans 8:28. My experience in the US Army was very rewarding, and I have been able to use much of what I learned in Service throughout my career and personal life as well. The Bible is rich with God’s wisdom and instruction that we can use everyday of our life such as Psalms 37:4 and Hebrews 13:5, but Proverbs 3:5,6 has helped me understand a lot of life situations.
Allen M. Beasley enlisted in the United States Army at 17 years of age. Eager to serve his country he had attempted to enlist a year earlier, but was sent home when it was discovered that he was only 16. He started his basic training in May 1950 at Ft. Riley, Kansas. During his 24 years of service he had three tours in Korea as well as serving in Japan, Hawaii and the United States. He retired from the Indiana National Guard.
Willie M. Watson served in the US Army 1950 and is a Purple Heart Recipient Co D. 24th Infantry Regiment 25th Infantry Division Yalu River, Korea
Wayne Sankey enlisted in January 6, 1964 in the US Army He completed his basic and advanced training in Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. From August 1964 until April 1965 he was assigned to the 2719 Pershing Missile Unit in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. From May 1965-June 1965 he completed parachute training at Ft. Benning Georgia and made his first jump on his 20th birthday, June 7, 1965. In July 1965 he reported to the 101st ABN at Ft. Campbell, Kentucky. From February 1966-Febraury 1967 he served with the first brigade 2/502nd in South Vietnam with 101st ABN.
Leonard Cooper served his country from ?-?. One memory that stands out is a training exercise at Ft. Bragg. The soldiers were watching an equipment drop where a 5-ton truck was dropped out of a C5 at 500 feet. As the truck was dropped, the shoots didn’t open and the truck hit the ground with such force that it was flattened like a pancake.
PFC Cory Weaver
Harvey Hicks served in the US Army spending much of his time in Germany during WWII. After more than 60 years of waiting, twelve veterans including Harvey Hicks received an Honorary High School Diploma at a ceremony celebrating “Operation Recognition” which was enacted into law by Governor Mike Easley in May of 2001. With the cooperation of the State Board of Education and local education agencies throughout North Carolina this program provides an honorary high school diploma for those veterans who dropped out of school to fight in the war.
In Memory Of: Johnny Randolph Oliver served his country proudly in the US Army in the 1098th Transportation Company (MB) SP5 and PT Boat operator in Vietnam for 2 years (19671968). He accepted the Lord just before he was deployed and he served his Lord and Savior while on his tour of duty witnessing to the Vietnamese. He was so burdened by the people that he planned to return as a missionary. Unfortunately due to a severe accident after returning to Fort Gordon, he was never able to go back.
Mike Norris served our country from 6/12/75 - 6/12/78 with 2 years in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and 1 year in Germany. Sgt. ES Army Pershing Missile Crewman Mike was proud to serve as a member of the Patriot Guards. The Patriot Guards would give motorcycle escorts to veterans from funeral services to cemeteries.
These are the names of the other military members from the church: Deanna Gibson, Donnie Gibson, Brandon Scott, and LaDonya & Bill Kinzel Editor’s Note: We hope we have honored all of the veterans in IBC. If anyone was left out it was not intentional and would love to include you in a future publication.