Veteran’s Day is a holiday that makes Americans stop and honor those that have served to protect our country, especially those who gave their lives for the cause.
For those who served in the military, the day has special meaning and memories about their days in the armed forces. Along with the 24.9 million veterans, 11 members of the faculty and staff have served.
Math teachers George Appleby and Joseph Iacchei, social studies teachers Larry Couchman and Paul Lazor, Fine Arts department chair Michael Shupe, Assistant Dean of Students Sean Ireton, Dean of Students Thomas Vierheller, and Father Stephen Sutton, Russian teacher Ed Miller, and from the facilities department Tom Blevins and Charlie Walter have all served in the United States Armed Forces.
Ireton, who served in the Army, said about his service, “It gave me responsibility, taught me how to choose my friends wisely, and how to take care of myself.” Ireton enlisted right out of high school and did his basic training at Fort Jackson in South Carolina.
He was an NCO, which is a non-commissioned officer. He was stationed at Fort Lee in Virginia. Later, he transferred to Fort Hood in Texas and worked as an Assistant Property Sergeant, in charge of 27 street blocks. Ireton received the Medal of Army Commendation after completing his three years of service from 1977 to 1980.
Couchman served in the Navy for six years. “Right out of college in 1971, there was a draft and my name was picked from the lottery,” said Couchman. “So I went to boot camp in Memphis the summer of ’71 and got in the best shape of my life.”
Couchman served as a Yeoman and did secretarial work at Andrew’s Air Base outside of Washington, D.C. “It wasn’t the best job, but someone had to do it,” said Couchman. “After commuting to D.C., it got to be too much, so I was transferred to Fort McHenry in Baltimore for my last three years.”
Vierheller served in the Marines for six years, from 1981 to 1987. “I was enlisted and went into boot camp right out of college,” said Vierheller. “I spent about two years as a legal clerk, preparing documents for non-judicial punishment. Then I went to get my commission at Quantico and became a communications officer.”
Some things Vierheller remembers as “not appropriate for print,” but if there was one thing he knew, it was that “Marines work hard and play harder. We didn’t often get a break, but when we did, we really cut loose,” he said.
Vierheller also said, “It was fortunate that I was to never in harm’s way, but everything in my office is dedicated to those who were.”
Taylor Schafer can be reached for comment at [email protected].