Verno, Steve, SFC

WHETHER YOU WERE IN THE SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS OR AS A CAREER, PLEASE DESCRIBE THE DIRECTION OR PATH YOU TOOK. WHERE DID YOU GO TO BASIC TRAINING AND WHAT UNITS, BASES OR SQUADRONS WERE YOU ASSIGNED TO? WHAT WAS YOUR REASON FOR LEAVING?
I joined the Army for the sole purpose of being an Army Medic.

After completing basic training at Ft Dix, I was flown to San Antonio Texas and driven by bus to Fort Sam Houston Texas. There were old world war 2 buildings, no different than what I

Army Medic

was used to at Dix. About 200 basic trainees were lined up the street and I was shown where I would stay during my 2 months at Fort Sam.

Every morning we were marched to a set of Quonset huts which would be our classrooms. I was made the company Guideon and we carried our books as we marched along the wide streets. At the corner of the road was an old Colonel called Black Jack. He loved watching everyone marched from the barracks to class. After I completed basic, one of my drill sergeants taught me the right way to spit shine boots so as we marched by, my unform was stiffly starched and my boots looked like mirrors.

I learned basic medical skills at the hospital where I worked so my classes werent as bad as I thought. We had to learn about diseases and how to give immunizations. I injected sterile water in one of my classmates. He passed out when he saw the needle in my hand. On day in class we had to see Vietnam videos of soldiers injured in battle. One man was a black soldier who was smoking in the motor pool. The doctors started cutting the black soldiers skin from his body. That started a puke fest in class, The sergeant saw me watching the video and said I would make an excellent medic so he asked me how I had no problems with burns and injuries. I said I worked at a hospital where I had to take cancer patients, car accidents and gang shootings, the smell of burned and infections didnt bother me.

After I completed Basic, my pay was messed up so on payday I got a no pay due leaving me broke. I made $5 for a pair of spit shined boots and I went to the local blood bank and made $25 for giving a pint of blood. Meals and uniform cleaning was free but hair cuts did cost. My grandfather told me that units had soldiers who gave free haircuts and a battalion tailor would be free but those days were now extinct. I would go to the USO in down where they had free hot dogs and rented records for free so I spent my weekends at the USO. I walked past the Alamo and listened to the stories about the Alamo. The USO took us to a church which is where the bones from the Alamo were kept. History doesnt tell you the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. I did learn that Davy Crocket was a mason as was Santa Anta so rumors say that Crocket was probably saved by a fellow mason.

One after noon after class my drill sergeant told me I was on guard duty, so i put on my best uniform and was selected as Supernumary and not having to pull guard duty. Colonel Blackjack gave me a letter of appreciation. One of my fellow medics was PV2 Joe Chewning. I came down with pneumonia so I wanted to stay in bed to fight this. Joe walked up to me and told me I was in KP. Even though I told him I was sick, he didnt care so while in the messhall. I passed out. I was medivaced to the hospital. Our drill sergeant heard about this and chewed Joes ass. Joe was relieved of his duty as squad leader.

On November 22, 1972, Joe and I completed our AIT. both Joe and I were promoted to PFC on the same orders. We all looked strac in our new PFC stripes. Most of our class were National Guard soldiers and 100% went to Viet Nam. No one in our class returned home. AT our graduation we had a PFC who came out in an officers uniform as a Captain. Prior to going in, he was a chiropractor who owned his own practice so the Army made him a Captain. We had several SFCs and Master Sergeants who served their time and got out and they made a mistake learning that civilian life wasnt so sweet, if they returned within 30 days they could come back in at the same rank that they were when they left. Two of our graduates wore the Medal of Honor at graduation. They were informed that they could not wear it until they completed AIT.

So, Joe and I found ourselves with an assignment at Fort Carson, Colorado. Neiher of us were in the same unit but we did catch up with is when we arrived in Germany at a small base in Nuremberg. I cam home to see family. My Uncle who was a doctor told me how proud he was of me being a medic. I loved being a medic and retired as one after 20 years in the service. I kept my skills as a medic and use it to treat family members and close friends using simple first aid skills. When I completed AIT I was awarded the MOS of 91A combat medic. To become a 91B combat medic, one had to become the rank of SP4 or go to a formal 91B school at a base Army Hospital. I went to Fort Carson Army hospital. I also became an artillery medic with my first assignment of HHB 2nd BN 20th Field Artillery "The BOBCATS"

IF YOU PARTICIPATED IN ANY MILITARY OPERATIONS, INCLUDING COMBAT, HUMANITARIAN AND PEACEKEEPING OPERATIONS, PLEASE DESCRIBE THOSE WHICH MADE A LASTING IMPACT ON YOU AND, IF LIFE-CHANGING, IN WHAT WAY?
I was in the Army in 1972 and Vietnam was in full swing. I did not go to Vietnam, I was labeled as a Vtetnam ERA soldier.

In 1973, the entire base was on lockdown. The Yom Kapur was was starting up. The entire Artillery was in

medic

the field until word came out that everyone had to pack up and return to our units. Every gate on base was locked in, no one going out and no one coming in. The soldiers who would normally go home to be with their family was locked into the barracks. 10 soldiers slept in my room. I was placed on duty in the battalion aid station from 4pm until 9am and had to sleep on the floor in the aid station. The first sergeants had every phone locked up removing all of the speaker assembly and that included all payphones and field radios. We were all about to head to Israel to join the war. After a week the Israles gave up and we could all go back home.

In 1975 I was a medic with the 4th Combat Support Hospital at Ft McClellan. I was ordered to proceed to Atlanta Georgia with my fellow medic, SP4 Janet Harp. Our mission was to give hearing tests and eye exams to every child in Atlanta Georgia. Other medics from Ft Bragg and Ft Benning joined us for 30 days of TDY. In 2010, I was now a civilian consultant and sent to Atlanta to give seminars to the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare service. I had a co worker from Las Vegas join me. While we took the bus to downtown Atlanta, a black woman took out a pistol and told us that if we didnt give her our money she would shoot us, My coworkers almost peed herself. I kept my wallet in my back pocket. The black woman looked at me and said, "I know you!" She remembered me giving her a hearing test. She told me to keep my money but wanted my coworkers purse.

In 1980, Fidel Castro emptied all of his prisons. All of the prisoners found themselves at Fort Chaffee Arkansas. I was a brand new Staff Sergeant. I was tasked to become the NCOIC of the medics tasked to treat any and all injuries and at Chaffee it wasnt hot, it was brutal hot. Soldiers were dropping like flies. I established a schedule that allowed a medic to work 8 hours, 8 hours of sleep and 8 hours on standby. I made sure that I was there when they went on duty. They all thought I would skate and live in an air conditioned barracks. After the 11pm shift went in duty I found a large tree but due to the heat it was impossible to sleep, so around 3am I walked to where the medics parked their jeep ambulance. They were sound asleep but I never woke the up or let them know I was next to them. I could have courtmartialed them for sleeping on duty, but these were not normal times. At 10 am, I bought two of my medics to drive outside the gate to a 7/11. I bought a cooler and 100 lbs of Ice. In the heat of the day, we made sure that the soldiers has ice cold water in their canteens. We reduced the heat stroke injuries by 50%. During the soldiers stand by time I trained them about heat related injuries. The soldiers who chose not to listen continued to have heat stroke injuries. I arranged for more medics to be assigned to me so that the medics that started could finally have a day off. I did what was expeted of me as an NCO and that was to take care of my men and not permit any creature comforts until the last man had theirs. This was simple NCO leadership. After my 30 days was up, the task force commander awarded me an Army Commendation Medal and the Humanitarian Service Medal. What I didnt know is that he put me in for a recommendation to Sergeant First Class. I also arranged for my medics to receive the ARCOM and HSM. After I returned to Sill, I lost 40 lbs. I had about 90 days of leave coming to me so my commander ordered me to take 30 days of Administrative leave at the Hale Koa hotel in Waikiki Hawaii.

DID YOU ENCOUNTER ANY SITUATION DURING YOUR MILITARY SERVICE WHEN YOU BELIEVED THERE WAS A POSSIBILITY YOU MIGHT NOT SURVIVE? IF SO, PLEASE DESCRIBE WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WAS THE OUTCOME.
I was a medic with the 2nd Bn 20th Artillery. A group of buddies asked me to join them at a local nightclub. We never made it. While on the local highway, a car crossed the median and our car was hit broadside. The car was a total wreck. I got out, checked my companions and they were OK. The man who it us wasn't so good. He was trapped in the car, had blood all over his face and you could hear the blood coming out of his mouth. I pulled him from the car and a friend and I started CPR, this was when CPR wasn't known. The police took me from his patrol car and waited until the ambulance arrived, along with the man who hit us. I spent a week in the hospital in traction. I don't remember the man's name or what happened to me later.

After I was admitted, an officer asked me what happened. He took down the soldiers who were in the car and witnessed my actions. The officer looked at me and said, we're nominating you for the Soldiers Medal. You probably won't get it because it will most likely be downgraded to an ARCOM. My uncle who worked at the Army Hospital also said the same thing. The man went home and later he thanked me. He realized he was drunk while driving.

Today, the AMEDD documents all recorded Soldiers Medals. Being nominated doesn't cut it if you were nominated. As someone said, more than 1,000 people have a medal in their time, only one get one. To me, the handshake of the man who I save means more than a medal This was 25 years ago and this former soldier I helped is most likely gone.

OF ALL YOUR DUTY STATIONS OR ASSIGNMENTS, WHICH ONE DO YOU HAVE FONDEST MEMORIES OF AND WHY? WHICH WAS YOUR LEAST FAVORITE?
My first assignment was the 2nd Bn, 20th Field Artillery at Ft Carson. My section Sergeant taught me a lot. I went to the field many times and learned much from it. I was also stationed with the 4th Combat Support Hospital at Ft McClellan, Alabama. I met my best

20 arty patch

friend, Janet Harp. I don't know what happened to her and I hope to find her one day. While at Ft McClellan, I was placed on TDY with the 111th MP Company and as a lifeguard at the WAC swimming pool. In Germany I was assigned to HHB Division Artillery at Pinder Barracks. Work was at the small consolidated troop medical clinic. I learned more about patient care from the physicians assistants and the NCOIC, SFC later MSG Mooneyhan. There was constant friction from the Company Commander and First Sergeant and the clinic.

This was where the Cold War was felt when on patrol watching for terrorists such as the Bader-Meinhof Gang. I also went to the 7th Army NCO Academy at Flint Kassern in Bad Tolz. I made it through it with no problems. I came to Germany as a SP5 and left as a SP5. No thanks from anyone for my tour. It was another what the f&*# do we need with another Medic. After Germany I went to Fort Sill and the 2nd Bn 37th Artillery. That was a rough assignment with medics not well liked. I spent a lot of time in the field but like Ft Carson and Germany, it wasn't so bad. I went through a rough divorce at Ft Sill. I also taught a lot through the Red Cross.

Through luck I went to Hawaii. I started in HHB Divarty and there was immediate friction between a SP6 and me because he didn't like the idea of another E-6 being in charge of him. I was placed with HHB 2nd Bn, 11th Artillery. Another "what the f*&# do we need with another medic" assignment, only this time I learned my ass smelled like a goat. It was weeks and months of earning the commands respect. I seemed to replace screw up NCOs. There was also lots of field duty and two trips to Korea. I had medics who had court-martials a lot of disciplinary actions but they were good medics who needed a chance and good supervision. I was the only NCO in Divarty who made the SFC list and that pissed off the section officer and NCOIC. I replaced the SP6 who was NCOIC of the consolidated troop clinic and used my experience from Germany to make it the best clinic on base. I had fantastic Medics.

From Hawaii, I went to Fort Devens where I was an adviser to the New England Reserve and Guard. I spend every weekend for 6 years away from my family to teach the Medics about training, NBC and soldier skills. These same soldiers went to Desert Storm and came home alive and in one piece. My final assignment was with the 804th Hospital Center, one of the reserve units I worked with. I had outstanding co-workers who went on to become Command Sergeant Majors and an officer who was a Major who is now a full bird Colonel. Here I didn't hear, "what the f*&# do I need with another medic. Not every assignment was paradise. Each was a learning experience. I wasn't the perfect soldier, I didn't make the Sgt Morales or Audy Murphy Club. I did my job which was to train my Soldiers.

FROM YOUR ENTIRE MILITARY SERVICE, DESCRIBE ANY MEMORIES YOU STILL REFLECT BACK ON TO THIS DAY.
I arrived in Hawaii, assigned to the 2nd Bn 11th Field Artillery. On my first day as Section Sergeant, the Platoon Sergeant who was NOT a medic told me to give him a Medic for a detail. I informed him I had no one to give him as all my

SFC/Sergeant First Class

medics were on other details. He said you will give me someone even if it is you. I turned to one of my Medics, Steve Lowrey, my 91C, and told him to take off my SSG pins. I walked up and said here is your man Sergeant. He looked at me with contempt in his eyes and I wore no rank. The First Sergeant saw what I did and said VERNO, GET your a** back in formation and put on your rank. I walked back and my men pinned my stripes back on. I guess I was the first NCO that stood up to this Platoon Sergeant who was the same rank as me.

In 1982, I was home and the First Sergeant called me. He said Sergeant Verno, if anyone asks you about this call, it happened at 2 am. I said are you sh*tting me??? He had a tradition to call any NCO who made the promotion list at 2 am to notify them. I made the list for promotion to SFC. I was the only NCO in the unit to make the list including the platoon sergeant. The next morning the First Sergeant made the announcement. The Platoon Sergeant told me to take his place. I walked up, saluted him and ordered him to post and I took my place at the head of the Platoon. I probably wouldn't have made it if it wasn't for the men I had. Being a Section Sergeant was an assignment I won't forget.

I was at a local store when an elderly man came to a bench where he was asking for donations. He said,"Were you in Vietnam?" I said I was in during Vietnam but never went. Then he asked, were you in Granada? Nope, Were you in Afganistan? Nope! So he says, looks like you didn't do much of anything did you? Now, What Medals did you get? OK, 4 ARCOMS, 2 Army Achievement Medals and several I was there medals or ribbons. He said he would be more impressed with a Silver Star, Bronze Star or Infantry Badge. I did say I had the Expert Field Medical Badge.

WHAT PROFESSIONAL ACHIEVEMENTS ARE YOU MOST PROUD OF FROM YOUR MILITARY CAREER?
I went from being a field artillery medic to becoming a field artillery medical section sergeant. I learned from the best: SSG Gary Simpson, SSG Phillip Moooneyhan, SSG Adams, SP5 Jim Klitzke and the officers I served under. I took the EFMB test three times before I passed it. In Maine, I trained medics of the Maine National Guard how to take the test. They awarded me a nice plaque which is displayed in my profile picture. The EFMB is a super hard test with a high failure rate. I am proud to say that 90% of those I trained passed the test. In 1974, I was with some of the guys in the barracks and we were on our way to a nightclub to meet some girls. A drunk driver crossed the median and hit our car head on. The other driver wasn't breathing and needed CPR. I performed CPR where he was taken to the hospital. I was nominated for the Soldiers Medal which was downgraded to an ARCOM.

I am also proud of my 7th Army NCO Academy at Bad Tolz diploma. I was told that if you can make it through Bad Tolz, you can make it through anything. One of the medical units I trained made me an honorary member of the unit giving me a unique unit patch and Flight Medic wings after they took me up in a flight. At my retirement party, I was given an engraved bedpan. While this sounds weird, it was a tradition for it to be awarded to only the General Officer who commanded our unit. Let's face it, how many bedpans do you see on a wall of plaques. The best thing I was given was the friendship and respect of the Army Reserve and National Guard medical units I trained. I never looked at them as weekend warriors. I look at them as fellow soldiers and treated them as such.

OF ALL THE MEDALS, AWARDS, FORMAL PRESENTATIONS AND QUALIFICATION BADGES YOU RECEIVED, OR OTHER MEMORABILIA, WHICH ONE IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL TO YOU AND WHY?

Army Medic

My first medal was the Army Commendation Medal. I was nominated for the Soldiers Medal but it was downgraded. Before I went into the Army, my grandfather said the the only medal that meant anything was the good conduct medal. I had of them. When he died and I went to his funeral I remove mine and placed it on his casket.

I was given the Combat Medical Badge in Panama, but I was told it didnt count. I still have it in a box of things that have meaning to me. The CMB is in that box,

In my I love Me room, I have my Medical Bedpan plaque that was given to me on my retirement.

The most important thing to me was the respect I received from my men and people I trained.

WHICH INDIVIDUAL(S) FROM YOUR TIME IN THE MILITARY STAND OUT AS HAVING THE MOST POSITIVE IMPACT ON YOU AND WHY?
In 20 years in the Army, you meet many people. I can mention some here as they remain in my memory: SGM Philip Mooneyhan. (he was SSG Mooneyhan when I met him at Pinder Barracks in 1975. He was SFC Mooneyhan when we processed into the 25th Replacement Detachment at

Army

Schofield Barracks in 1981. He was MSG Mooneyhan when I was with RG Devens in 1985 and I was now SFC Verno. LTC Lenard Shlenker: He was the Battalion Commander of the 2nd Bn, 20th Field Artillery in Hawaii. He came into the Army as a PVT, worked his way up to SGM, Became a Warrant Officer and was commissioned. When I left Hawaii, he was selected for O6 Colonel. He passed away a few years ago. We would be in the field at Pohakaloa Training Area and he set the example for all soldiers. If we had to go to war, he was the officer we would follow without question. If there was a movie star to play him as a soldier, it would be Mel Gibson from, "When We Were Soldiers". CSM Ador Yabut. He was SFC Yabut when we met. You can tell people that you meet if they are destined for greater things. His father survived the Battan Death March during WW2. In my office I had an American Flag that was flown over the USS Arizona when I reenlisted in 1984. I gave that Flag to SFC Yabut in honor of his father.

In 1972, I went through Army 91B training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. While there, I met a fellow medic named Charles J. Chewning, we called Joe. Joe and I criss crossed over the years and we ened up at the Divarty Dispensary at Pinder Barracks. Joe was a SP6, 91C when I was a SP5 91B. I received word that Joe passed away. He;s another friend who has left much too early.

To add that. I was also at Pinder Barracks in 1975. While at Pinder, there was an NBC NCO, SSG, named Al Babich. AL and I had to go to Graphenwohr, Camp Aachen. Any who has been to Graf knows all about Flippies Beer. At Pinder,the local brewery was called Zirndorfer. Once you try Zindorfer, you will know it and you will never drink beer again. As an example, I was at William O'Darby Kasssern as a lifeguard. We had a 4th of July party so I brought a case of beer. It was American Budweiser. The german refused to drink it calling it KInder-Bier or childrens beer. Now, Al lived in the clock tower at Pinder. He had a bed and a recliner. He also went to the Zirndorfer Brewery where be paid for a full Keg of beer and paid extra to fill it all the way so it didn't make any noise. Then he carpeted the beef keg and put it on his recliner. The Army thought it was household goods and they brought the keg back to Fort Sill. Now, all you could do is buy a couple of bottles of ber but you couldn't bring it past customs. IN 1977, Al opened the keg and invited some of us to his house. I never drank beer again, simply because I can stand the taste of American Beer. Al brought a little of German back with us. Al Babich eventually made it to SFC. I was saddened to hear of his loss. I hope he was proud to know I finally made to SFC as well. Al taught me all about Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Training. I used what he taught me so I could train the Army Reserve and National Guard Component.
LTC Jerry Bortner: He was our Division Chief at Readiness Group. He would come to our offices with a cup of coffee in his hand and a soft voice which gave words of praise to everyone. When he moved to his new assignment, we got word that he passed away from a heart attack. CSM Riley Miller: he and I were running buddies during PT in the mornings. he was a Ranger and looked like one. He never had harsh words with anyone. He could chew you out with a soft voice better than someone yelling in your face. If you looked up the word leadership, his picture would be there. SSG Gary Simpson: He was my section sergeant at Pinder Barracks in Germany. I learned how to be a Staff Sergeant and a good one from him. When we had to go to the field for Reforger, he was admitted to the hospital with appendicitis which meant I had to be all by myself with no help from anyone. SSG Robert Adams: He was my very first section sergeant when I was assigned to the 2nd Bn 20th Field Artillery at Fort Carson. I learned more about being a field artillery medic than what I learned at Fort Sam. He eventually made it to being Command Sergeant Major of AMEDD. SFC Frank Roy: He is a National Guard medic located in Maine. Frank is an NCO's NCO. The soldiers in his unit give him the highest respect. He earned my respect through his actions and deeds.

SP4 Janet Harp. After Fort Carson, I was assigned to the 4th Surgical Hospital at Fort McClellan. SP4 Harp looked like a soldier with starched fatigues and spit shined boots. She was the best of the best in the unit. I knew that I had to raise my personal standards to her high level of standards. Doing so allowed me to become Soldier of the Month and to be promoted to SP5 not long after my assignment. MAJ Hoyt Blackburn: He was the commander of the 4th Surgical Hospital which became the 4th Combat Support Hospital. Under his command, we went to the field a lot and when there we trained under field conditions. He had us find and treat casualties and carry them to safety under realistic combat conditions as he could make. he took the Viet Nam combat medics and used them as aggressors so we would know what to do. Maj Blackburn passed away as Commander.

SSG Snow. I don't remember his full name. He was my tactical NCO at the NCO Academy at Bad Tolz, Germany. I didn't have any money while there because I wasn't paid yet. I went to Bad Tolz just after I arrived in Germany and never completed my in processing. He understood this. At the graduation dining in, he paid for my meal. Not once did I ever have to shine the Autobahn which was a black strip down the center of the floor. The punishment was to spit shine the autobahn with a cotton ball and shoe polish. I was told that if you can make it through Bad Tolz, you can make it through anything. He was a leader who inspired everyone that went through the course. COL Robert Tabaroni: He was Major Tabaroni when I met him at the 804th Hospital Center. He too never raised his voice and he treated you like you were his son. The respect he was held in by everyone who served under him was of the highest caliber.

There are many more people, but time hasn't been kind to them in my memories. I want to recognize the soldiers of the New England Army Reserve and National Guard Components. You hear them called Weekend Warriors. The men and women I met could best any Active Duty soldier. They were called up for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm as well as Iran, Afganistan and the other conflicts of the 1990s. To me, their motto is Mission Accomplished. To them, I owe my freedoms and my undying gratitude.

I was with the 804th Hospital Center. My section leader was Major Robert Tabaroni. He was the caliber of an officer that you would follow anywhere. He became a full colonel and commander of the 399th Combat Support Hospital in Massachusetts. We also had a Master Sergeant named David Hogue. He would invite my family and me over to his quarters many times. I saw that he was going places. He made Command Sergeant Major out west and retired to San Antonio Texas. I read that he passed away not too long ago. He was just a year older than me.

As I try to find friends of my past, I find that many are passing away. My friend who was also with me at the 4th Combat Support Hospital at Ft McClellan and who lived across the street with me, SP5 Jim Hood passed away. Just as we read that almost 1,000 WWII Veterans are dying daily, I'm sure my generation is catching up at a fast pace.

LIST THE NAMES OF OLD FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH, AT WHICH LOCATIONS, AND RECOUNT WHAT YOU REMEMBER MOST ABOUT THEM. INDICATE THOSE YOU ARE ALREADY IN TOUCH WITH AND THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO MAKE CONTACT WITH.
I've had the honor of serving with many outstanding men, who, sadly are no longer with us. I wish to honor them with my words:


SFC Charles J. (Joe) Chewning: So and I went to AIT together at 91A School at Fort Sam Houston. We were promoted to the

Their final farewell.

same orders as PFC upon our completion as a 91A (Combat Medic). While in Germany, at Pinder Barracks, Joe was assigned to the 1/22 Field Artillery as a SP6. All the medics worked at Pinder Dispensary. What happened to Joe when we went our Army way, I don't know. I do know he made it to SFC as I did. While looking for friends, I found that Joe passed away recently.


MSG Donald Costa. Don and I were assigned to the Medical Team at Readiness Group Devens. I don't remember his being promoted to MSG while we were there, but he was. Don passed away not too long ago.

I also learned of the death of Al Babich and COL Lenard Shlenker.

Command Sergeant Major David Hogue: Dave and I were both assigned to the 804th Hospital Center. Like my fellow deceased friends, he also passed away.

Command Sergeant Major Howard Harrell, United States Army Medical Command, he also passed away in 2015


Every day, I lose past friends, so when my time has ended, I will be ready and I will offer my thanks for their service to our country. Thanks, Guys. Steve

CAN YOU RECOUNT A PARTICULAR INCIDENT FROM YOUR SERVICE, WHICH MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN FUNNY AT THE TIME, BUT STILL MAKES YOU LAUGH?
When I was in Hawaii, assigned to the 2nd Bn, 11th Field Artillery, we were given a mission to go to Hickam Air Force Base, set up our aid station and participate in a mass casualty exercise. We arrived and my men had the aid station set up faster than

MP

I've ever seen it go up. The medics were SP5 Steve Lowrey, PFC Ted Richardson, SP4 Phil Kaplan and others I don't remember. There is a sense of pride that fills you when you see your men do what they are supposed to do with little supervision. We stood around watching all these injured people laying on the grass next to the runway. No one came to us to tell us anything. Without any word, everyone got up and walked away. It looked like something from a zombie movie, people with cuts, gashes, blood, and bandages walking back and forth. We were told it was now over with, so we packed everything back up and returned to base.

In 1974, I was at Fort McClellan. I was told I would be doing a 90 day TDY with the 111th Military Police Company. I'm in my fatigues, with an MP Arm Brassard and shiny helmet liner all black with the words MP on the front and 111th MP on the side. My partner and I stopped for coffee. He also bought a snickers bar. We pulled up to the base bank to check it. My partner is standing with a coffee in one hand and a candy bar in the other. I checked the door and found it unlocked. We went inside. I'm holding my 45 ready to shoot if shot at. My partner looks like Barney Fife. No one was in the bank, someone forgot to lock it. Before our supervisor shows up my partner puts the candy bar in his pocket where it melted.

I was in Germany from 1975 to 1978. While with HHB Divarty, I met Al Babish. Al was a SSG. He lived in the upstairs of Pinder Barracks Al had a small apartment where he had some old furniture. He went to the Zirndorf brewery and he bought a full Keg of Zirndorfer beer. You cant buy Zirndorfer in America, but Al paid extra to fill the keg so it wouldn't slosh or make any noise, then he carpeted the keg and it sat on his recliner. The Army paid to have his furniture shipped to Fort Sill. The Ary also shipped the full keg of Zirndorfer. When we went to Graf, Al would test the artillery soldiers in NBC and I tested them in Medical. We made a good team and we spent the evening in Graf drinking Flippies beer. Al got word I was on a testing team at Sill, so we're back to our old tricks. Al came home and showed me the keg of Zirndorfer. He opened the keg and had our fill of outstanding German beer. I never drank American beer again MY last beer was when I went to Costa Rica in 2005. I'm not allowed beer anymore because my medications wont allow it. Al was a SSG, I was a SP5. I learned Al passed away. I made it to SFC and Al made it too. He will be missed. By Al. Have zirndorfer on me !

WHAT PROFESSION DID YOU FOLLOW AFTER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND WHAT ARE YOU DOING NOW? IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY SERVING, WHAT IS YOUR PRESENT OCCUPATIONAL SPECIALTY?
I retired and went back home to Albany NY. On Monday I was hired as the office manager of small civilian medical clinic as office manage of the medical director.
I also found work at the Financial Director of a large emergency medicine medical practice.

Different

After my heart attack I was recovering when a friend asked me if I was well enough to teach school. The local university terminated their billing and coding professor. I was a medical coder and Medical biller in 1994 so I provided copies of my certificates and I was hired immediately. The university had no syllabus no lesson plans and no presentations so i created them. I was made an adjunct professor of medical coding and medical billing.
I was also working for a Medical Durable Medical Equipment medical biller as well as teachng classes at night. One morning i woke up to go to work when I found myself in the middle of a stroke. I was taken my ambulance where I spent a week in intensive care. I lost all my speech and being teacher is a death sentence, but I retrained myself how to speak again. I became a constant to many coding and billing associations. Just when I thought things were going good, I had a second stroke. This one wiped out my cognitive functions. I had a third one a couple of months ago, that brain injury caused me to have epilepsy. I continue to offer training in coding and billing, but what took me hours takes days.

WHAT MILITARY ASSOCIATIONS ARE YOU A MEMBER OF, IF ANY? WHAT SPECIFIC BENEFITS DO YOU DERIVE FROM YOUR MEMBERSHIPS?

AMEDD

I am a member of the AMEDD Regiment

I am a member of the Medical Association of Billers, a member of the National Healthcare Leaders Association and the Healthcare Medical Billing Association.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS SERVING IN THE MILITARY INFLUENCED THE WAY YOU HAVE APPROACHED YOUR LIFE AND YOUR CAREER? WHAT DO YOU MISS MOST ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE?
I have a never give up and never surrender attitude. I believe in duty, honor, and country. I am not perfect, but I do my best to set an example of being the best. In 2007, I had a heart attack and underwent open heart surgery. An hour after coming

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out of surgery, I was up and walking. In 2008, I had a stroke. I had to relearn how to walk, how to talk, how to act around people and learn the day to day life skills we take for granted. When you look at me, I look and act normal. I'm told that a second stroke is going to happen and it will take my life. I don't worry about that because if I wake up, that is a day I am given to accomplish something. I don't waste what I am given. The Army taught me to never give up and I don't. I can't run anymore, but I can walk. When I do my daily 4-mile walk, my neighbors see me and join me. As a medical biller, I go up against insurance companies when they deny the medical claims I send them for payment. They think that I won't fight back or if I do I will give up. I don't give up or surrender. This philosophy is what I try to teach others.

Today, I live in a senior citizen community. Everyone knows I was an Army Medic. I was taking the trash out and I was wearing my old army hat. A man came up to me an old me that he was in the Marines but he was in, in 1963. I told him I was 10 years old in 1963. He also told me that an Army medic saved his life in Viet Nam. I said it wasn't me because I was never in Viet Nam. Then he thanked me and said thanks Doc! He and all of my other residents know I am an Army medic and if someone gets hurt I have my old medical bag. I keep it stocked from supplies at the local dollar tree or pharmacy.

BASED ON YOUR OWN EXPERIENCES, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO THOSE WHO HAVE RECENTLY JOINED THE ARMY?
The Army is a life experience that will be with you forever. You can take what you learned to make yourself and those around you better. Listen to your leaders and don't be afraid to lead yourself. Take any failures and make them successes. My grandfather was in the Army

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in World War II. When I visited him, he said, "Steven, no matter what you do, keep your eye and ears open and your mouth shut". He told me to listen to my Sergeants and do what they tell me to do. He also said he didn't care if I was awarded the Medal of Honor. He felt that the Good Conduct Medal was the medal that meant anything. He died in 1975 when I was at Fort McClellan.

I would tell them to do anything you want to do, even if that means shoveling crap in Louisiana. If that is what makes you happy that is what counts. The Army is an honorable institution and not everyone is capable of making it past basic training. Once you do complete it, you are a band of brothers. You earned the title of being a soldier. I earned the right to be called a soldier medic. When I walk out my door I walk proud. Yes, I had some bad things happen to me, but they only made me stronger. Once you join you have an honor and an obligation to never quit. I had a cousin that joined. she quit a couple of days after she joined. She cant seem to do anything. She wanted the easy way out and anytime she does anything she quits. I cant really blame her because she is of that generation that wants the easy way out.

IN WHAT WAYS HAS TOGETHERWESERVED.COM HELPED YOU REMEMBER YOUR MILITARY SERVICE AND THE FRIENDS YOU SERVED WITH.

TWS and the US Army

Sadly I was looking for some old friends of my past, soldiers who served with me, soldiers who became my friends in my younger days. I did find that they too god old with me. I still have some people i am looking for. Some have chosen to live off the grid so I may never find the but i wont give up.