92-year-old veteran receives honorary high school diploma
Associated Press
By Lucas High
June 6, 2015
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — In this era, when the biggest decision a teen might make is choosing which filter to use for his latest Instagram post, the decision made in 1941 by 17-year-old Vialquin "Val" Valdez borders on unthinkable.
Rather than finish high school, the teenage Valdez decided to forge a birth certificate and join the U.S. Army.
A year later, he was gunning his way through Italy. Two years after that, he was a captive in a Nazi prisoner of war camp.
Now, more than 70 years later, the 92-year-old Valdez has something he sacrificed as a teen in exchange for privilege of fighting for his country: a high school diploma.
He got an honorary diploma from Cheyenne's Central High at Friday's graduation ceremony.
Valdez enlisted in the Army shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He joined up not out a desire to become a war hero — although he soon would become one. He joined because he thought the uniforms were sharp.
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Showing posts with label Cheyenne Wyoming. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cheyenne Wyoming. Show all posts
Monday, June 8, 2015
Saturday, June 29, 2013
Wyoming veterans help escort traveling memorial
Wyoming veterans help escort traveling memorial
Ravalli Republic
By CHILTON TIPPIN
June 29, 2013
LARAMIE, Wyo. – Carl Meloche still remembers his worst homecoming.
“I came back from Vietnam in December of ’68,” the Army Special Forces veteran said. “A bunch of us came in and got on the bus at Oakland. We drove through the gate, and there were a bunch of protesters out there, long-haired hippie people, peace signs and all of that.”
He said protesters, chanting and picketing, circled the bus and blocked its passage.
“The bus driver said, ‘We’re going to have to get the MP to clear the road,’” Meloche said.
The Green Berets on the bus had a better idea.
“We unloaded the bus,” Meloche said. “We walked in front and formed a V in front of the bus. And we moved those people, not physically, but mentally. They decided they didn’t want anything to do with the Green Beret, with the veterans who’d just come back from killing hostile enemies over there.”
Earlier this month, Meloche rode as the point man in the motorcade escorting the American Veterans Travelling Tribute into Cheyenne.
The memorial is a wall bearing the names of tens of thousands of veterans who’ve died fighting in every American war since World War II, and it includes every name of the more than 58,000 service members killed during the Vietnam War.
Meloche and fellow Vietnam veteran, Daniel R. Santistevan – both Laramie residents – said riding in the escort’s vanguard brought back memories of the war, faces of fallen friends and the latent fear, frustration and anguish associated with combat.
And both soldiers agreed: The ride was the greatest honor of their lives.
read more here
Ravalli Republic
By CHILTON TIPPIN
June 29, 2013
LARAMIE, Wyo. – Carl Meloche still remembers his worst homecoming.
“I came back from Vietnam in December of ’68,” the Army Special Forces veteran said. “A bunch of us came in and got on the bus at Oakland. We drove through the gate, and there were a bunch of protesters out there, long-haired hippie people, peace signs and all of that.”
He said protesters, chanting and picketing, circled the bus and blocked its passage.
“The bus driver said, ‘We’re going to have to get the MP to clear the road,’” Meloche said.
The Green Berets on the bus had a better idea.
“We unloaded the bus,” Meloche said. “We walked in front and formed a V in front of the bus. And we moved those people, not physically, but mentally. They decided they didn’t want anything to do with the Green Beret, with the veterans who’d just come back from killing hostile enemies over there.”
Earlier this month, Meloche rode as the point man in the motorcade escorting the American Veterans Travelling Tribute into Cheyenne.
The memorial is a wall bearing the names of tens of thousands of veterans who’ve died fighting in every American war since World War II, and it includes every name of the more than 58,000 service members killed during the Vietnam War.
Meloche and fellow Vietnam veteran, Daniel R. Santistevan – both Laramie residents – said riding in the escort’s vanguard brought back memories of the war, faces of fallen friends and the latent fear, frustration and anguish associated with combat.
And both soldiers agreed: The ride was the greatest honor of their lives.
read more here
Monday, February 23, 2009
Soldier found dead in German barracks named
Soldier found dead in German barracks named
Staff report
Posted : Monday Feb 23, 2009 11:48:03 EST
Army officials on Monday identified the soldier who was found dead Feb. 19 in his barracks room in Mannheim, Germany.
Spc. Levi R. Foley, 24, of Cheyenne, Wyo., was a food service specialist assigned to E Company, 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment. He was found dead about 9:30 a.m. Feb. 19 in his room at Coleman Barracks after he did not report for duty. A memorial service for Foley is scheduled for March 2 at the Coleman Barracks Chapel.
His death is under investigation by German and U.S. Army authorities.
http://www.armytimes.com/news/2009/02/army_deathid_022309w/
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