Man on the Street is Greg Kristapovich
“I do know some veterans. I’m a Vietnam veteran from the United States Marine Corps, 1969. I was a Sergeant. Veterans’ Day just means to me that the fallen heroes who we’ve lost – 57,000 in Vietnam, and all the wars we’ve lost; it’s a day to remember them, not unlike Memorial Day. And that’s what I think of Veterans’ Day.” – Tom Causey, Twain Harte, (produce manager)
“It’s a day to thank our veterans for serving in the wars, and being in the service. Veterans’ Day is one of those kinds of days that the average people kind of dismiss. I don’t think they should. They should really celebrate it. I come from a family where everybody served, including our two sons, Scott and Robin. Both, were Navy. My husband, Kenneth and my brother, Rocky Hazelwood served in the Navy. Also, several veterans work in my office: Mark Kraft, (Marines); Phil Balbuena (Marines); Ed Martin, (Navy); Greg Humphrey, (Navy); and Suzanne Simpson’s son, Dave, (Marines) just came back from Iraq! And Kris Kraft, the office manager, has a brother who is in the Army National Guard – and he’s leaving for Afghanistan!” – Judy Crabtree, Twain Harte, (realtor)
“Remembering my fellow vets who died and served this country. I appreciate what they did to help me out, throughout it; and I’ll never forget it. I was in Vietnam, ’67 through ’68. When I got out of ‘Nam, I was an E-2., But, I had seventeen months left in the service, and I completed that as an E-5, Spec 5. Yes, Veterans’ Day means a lot to me. I hang my flags, for sure. And I think back of all the old buddies I’ve served with. It’s sad, and I hate to see what’s going on today in Iraq and Afghanistan. I feel that’s another Vietnam.” – Bryan Kelly, Soulsbyville, (equipment operator)
“I think about my dad, who fought on Normandy Beach. He landed there on “D-Day”. He also met my mother in France, while in the Army. He passed away in ’89. He’d be 92 this February. He did have – which I now have, a souvenir: a German officer’s knife, which is kind of interesting. But he never talked about the war too much. It was too horrific, I guess. It was pretty bad. I’ve learned a lot on the Military Channel and the History Channel; about what went on. I’m thankful he survived it. That’s what Veterans’ Day means to me: my dad.” – Joann Warren, Cedar Ridge, (retired administrative secratary)
“I’ve met and talked with Army and Navy veterans. This restaurant’s (Lea’s Meadow Restaurant) owner: his dad was in the Navy. Every year, my niece–who goes to Sonora Elementary – and other girl scouts go and put flags out on the cemetery in Sonora. We put flags on every gravestone.” – Misty Sheridan, Crystal Falls, (waitress)
