Mike Hughes served in the US Army and spent time serving our country during the Vietnam War.  Doug Geise was a 1966 DSJ graduate, ten days after graduation he was in Texas for US Air Force basic training.  Mr. Geise served on a base south of Columbus.  Rich Shuck spent 18 months serving in the US Army during the Vietnam War.  Mr. Shuck told a story of spending $25.00 for a five minute phone call back to his family.  Jim Weeden served three tours in the US Navy during the Vietnam War.  Mr. Weeden was drafted in 1970 and spent time in Australia, China, Singapore and Hawaii.  Jim shared that communication back home was tough and very expensive.  He spent $700.00 for a 30 minute phone call to his girlfriend.  Our fifth guest was David Edelbrock, David was a US Marine from 1998 until 2003.  Mr. Edelbrock served in Europe, Asia, Africa and Iraq.  David also spoke of the importance of communication and letters from home.  All the soldiers loved any time they received letters, packages or messages from back home.

There were many question that the students asked, ranging from living arrangements, type of food they ate and the different types of animals and insects they experienced.  The Veterans demonstrated the Rifle’s Cross, used in WW I and WW II, to indicate where a fallen soldier was buried.  The soldier’s rifle was stuck in the ground with their helmet, shoes, hat and dog tags placed on and around the rifle.  This action was to show respect and honor for the fallen as well as a means to identify them.

Our students were honored to have these five men in to share their stories and spend time educating the students on some of the history of our military.  We want to say THANK YOU to these men as well as to all service men and women who serve and protect this great country of ours.