An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Fairchild honors military veterans of past, present

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Christie Putz
  • 92nd ARW Public Affairs
FAIRCHILD AIR FORCE BASE, Wash. --  The last time Navy veteran John Custer flew in a U.S. Air Force aircraft was when he was being lifted from a Saigon hospital back to his ship in Danang more than 35 years ago. That changed when he was offered the opportunity to fly in a Fairchild KC-135 Stratotanker in honor of Veteran's Day.

He and four other military veterans, now all local military organization leaders, boarded the tanker the morning of Nov. 9 after meeting with Col. Scott Hanson, 92nd Air Refueling Wing commander, and receiving briefings on Fairchild, the Air Force and the flight they were about to take.

Former Sailor Custer knew some of the other veterans flying that day, but said he took a special interest in one of the gentleman: John Woods.

Mr. Woods is also a Navy veteran, and worked on the same type of ship as Mr. Custer.

"We had sailed the same waters and stopped at the same ports," said Mr. Custer.

The two of them spent the day swapping sea stories about the places that they had been, with Mr. Custer following his trail approximately 30 years later.

The other veterans, representing the Air Force and U.S. Army, also had a chance to share their stories with others, as well as learn more about current operations and the base closest to their homes.

"This Veterans Day flight was a great opportunity to say thanks to some of the veterans from the local area and show them what we do here at Fairchild," said Colonel Hanson. "Our veterans are the torchbearers of freedom and democracy. This is a time to pause to consider the sacrifices made by veterans on behalf of our nation."

But the flight wasn't the only way Fairchild observed the holiday. Several representatives spent their day out in the local community, spreading the Air Force story and their personal experiences.

Tech. Sgt. Dean Martinez, 336th Training Support Squadron athletic director, traveled to the Elks Lodge to deliver a speech about the significance of Veteran's Day.

"Sergeant Martinez gave a great speech and then even stayed around for a couple hours after to talk with the veterans," said Guy Shattuck, organizer of the Elks Lodge event.

Several local schools, from elementary to high school, also received visits from Fairchild speakers or the Honor Guard at their assemblies.

The Spokane Chiefs, local hockey team, even got in on the celebration by inviting a senior leader out to drop the first puck of the game and offering reduced ticket prices to all military personnel.

Three purple hearts were awarded to Deaver Noland, Loren Brown and Walter Mabe, veterans of Vietnam and World War II, during a Veterans Day ceremony held at the Spokane Arena Saturday. The medals were presented by Marine Maj. Matthew Nation and Rep. Cathy McMorris.

"It is an honor to be able to go out into the community and share our stories," Colonel Hanson said.